
This design eliminated the need to keep wave crests aligned, eliminating use of a key locating device or use of a shim inserted between individual springs. The wave peaks hold their configuration because the spring is integrally formed. Crest-to-crest wave springs are made with plain and shim ends.
Smalley has expanded its flat wire rolling mill operation in Illinois to meet growing demand for various raw material sizes. A vertical integration has evolved into the production of hundreds of material cross-sections in a wide variety of alloys. Springs can also be made in exotic metal alloys.
Unlike rings and springs that are stamped through the metal grain, Smalley's edgewound retaining rings and wave springs have a circumferential metal grain structure that is said to give them improved strength, dimensional stability, and performance characteristics.