Form, Fit, and Function: An Overview of Retaining Rings

Retaining rings serve an important purpose no matter what type of project they are installed in. These rings are one of the smallest and most inconspicuous components in the assembly, but are crucial to the performance as well, since they help to absorb vibration, split tolerances, or make the assembly as cost-efficient as possible.

Retaining rings are used to hold components onto a shaft or into a bore. The smooth, round finish of most shafts or bores makes them difficult to attach to with alternative methods, whereas retaining rings clamp around them and create a shoulder that keeps parts in place. That shoulder is what gives the rings their functionality—they can be installed around the exterior of a shaft or inside a bore.

China Wave Spring offers three types of retaining rings for use in your design— Spiral retaining rings, constant sections and Hoopsters(R) . The different styles are used to either create a full contact with the groove, to absorb heavier impact loads, or to be easier to install while maintaining pleasant aesthetics.

Our engineers can help select the perfect retaining rings for your design. This requires evaluating three factors: the machining processes, the layout of the assembly to see if installing the rings is possible, and the axial load that the components will be under. The four main questions that need to be analyzed when selecting the rings are:

• What are the main critical dimensions?
• What is the maximum thrust?
• What kind of assembly does the application require?
• What is the rotational speed?

In order to understand the desired form, fit, and function of the rings, there is no such thing as a shortage of information. This is why we’ve created a detailed eBook with much more data about how our rings work and some of the typical design issues that engineers will face. Please download this eBook for a more thorough description of our rings and how they can help you determine the ultimate project solution.