Extend Bearing PreLoad Life with Rotor Clip Parts

bearing preload with single turn wave spring render

Bearing preload involves applying a permanent axial force to a bearing, ensuring it is securely seated without any axial clearance. This process is crucial because it eliminates unwanted internal movement and enhances stiffness, which leads to smoother operation. By maintaining constant contact between the bearing components, preload minimizes noise and vibration, extending the life of both the bearing and the overall application. Additionally, preloading helps counteract issues like dimensional variation, wear, and thermal expansion, ensuring more consistent performance over time.

Rotor Clip provides three effective solutions for preloading bearings and eliminating axial clearance:

These solutions help optimize bearing performance by reducing play and maintaining stable, precise operation in demanding applications, contributing to improved reliability and longer-lasting equipment.

Bearing Preload with Wave Springs

  • MST Wave Spring Series (With Gap or Overlapping Ends)

rotor clip mst wave spring overlapping ends

Rotor Clip’s MST wave springs are ideal for short deflection applications with low to medium forces. Offered in a variety of waves and material thicknesses, these springs are designed to fit a wide range of bore and rod diameters, with part numbers that align with popular bearing sizes for easy integration into your assembly. View our bearing interchange chart now.

MST Wave Spring Features:

  • The wave spring allows for overhead assembly, as it can lightly grip the inside of the bearing bore.
  • It can be installed automatically using a tapered mandrel, similar to the automatic installation of retaining rings.
  • The even, sinusoidal waves in the spring design ensure a consistent load and force with small tolerances.
  • There is no radial jamming because the spring ends can overlap without pushing against one another.
  • There are no tooling costs for special sizes.
  • The spring self-centers within the bearing bore.
  • It provides resilient preload.

Bearing Preload with Bowed Retaining Rings

  • BSH (External) & BHO (Internal)

bowed retaining ring series

Rotor Clip’s BSH (external) bowed retaining rings are designed to compensate for accumulated tolerances on shafts. Once installed in the groove, these rings exert a force, or “preload,” on the retained parts within the specified range. On the other hand, BHO (internal) bowed retaining rings are engineered for use in housings and bores, delivering the same preload effect once snapped into the groove.

Bowed Retaining Ring Features:

  • Bowed retaining rings adjust for accumulated tolerances and wear, providing consistent preload in bearing applications.
  • Made from spring materials and heat-treated, these rings retain their resiliency and performance over time.
  • They can be flattened under pressure and return to their set height, offering precise preload similar to a spring.
  • When flattened, the rings exert counter-pressure to effectively take up endplay.
  • The compressive force of the bowed rings helps reduce chatter and vibration in the assembly.

Bearing Preload with Beveled Retaining Rings

  • VSH (External) & VHO (Internal)

beveled retaining ring series rotor clip

Rotor Clip’s VSH (external) beveled retaining rings are designed for use on shafts, featuring a 15° angle on the inner edge. This angle, combined with a complementary groove, eliminates endplay by securely wedging between the groove and the retained part, whereas VHO (internal) beveled retaining rings are made for housings and bores, with a 15° outer edge angle to achieve the same endplay reduction.

Beveled Retaining Ring Features:

  • Beveled retaining rings are designed to eliminate endplay by wedging between the groove and the retained part and have a 15° angle on the inner/outer edge.
  • These rings use their spring characteristics to provide axial pressure, ensuring a firm and consistent preload.
  • The internal ring compresses to fit within the bore, while the external ring expands over the shaft, exerting axial pressure on the retained part.
  • Once installed, the beveled edge locks the ring into place, ensuring rigid retention and preventing the ring from backing out, even under load.

Rotor Clip’s engineers are here to support you at every stage, from prototype to production, ensuring you get the most out of your retaining ring and wave spring bearing preload applications. With our customization capabilities, we tailor solutions to meet your specific needs, providing you with Application Driven Solutions®.

Connect with our team now to explore how we can assist with your next project.

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Our passion is creating the best rings, springs, and clamps. Our mission is to make your work a success. We are here for you.