Spirolox retaining rings from the Smalley Steel Ring Co., Lake Zurich, Ill., serve as removable shoulders on shafts (external) or inside bores (internal) to keep components in place. Spirolox rings can be adjusted to add more or less thrust capacity by changing the ring’s thickness. And they can easily accommodate nonstandard grooves because they are available in diameters ranging from 0.2 to 120 in. Installing rings can be automated or done manually. They can also be easily removed with a screwdriver.
The rings are made of rectangular carbon spring steel or 302 stainless steel and coiled on the edge to form a 360º retaining surface. This gives the rings exceptional strength and stability. And the thin coil provides the flexibility needed for easy installation and removal.