Custom parts without tooling costs 12 June 2017

Rotor Clip’s technical sales engineers are renowned for their ability to work with customers to find solutions for a variety of applications, with a recent example seeing a Rotor Clip engineer satisfy a customer’s request whilst keeping costs down.

A customer contacted Rotor Clip and asked if it was possible to increase the thickness of the DSR-24 since the ring was having trouble holding current thrust loads.

To satisfy the customer’s request for a thicker ring, Rotor Clip would have had to produce new tooling, which would result in cost increases or the use of laser cutting. Increasing the thickness beyond the DSR standard would have also required changes to the maximum and minimum section to maintain a proper aspect ratio. These changes would have produced a ring that would not have proper spring properties and would not have sat tight in the groove after expansion over the shaft.

Instead, Rotor Clip engineers suggested the customer use two DSR-24s in an extra wide groove. However, using two separate rings might have caused quality issues if rings were left out during assembly. The engineers then offered a custom spiral retaining ring with 4 turns total, rather than the standard 2 turns, doubling the thrust load attainable compared to the standard spiral ring. There was also no need for custom tooling, which kept costs down.

This enabled the customer to receive a single part that did not have any tooling charges, avoided quality complaints due to improper installation, and would receive a quality part that would satisfy the customer’s application.

Claire Aldridge Deputy Editor t: +44 (0) 1727 743 889

Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.

Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.