The Green Ring

Simple concept. Using a retaining ring to fasten your assembly instead of a traditional fastener not only reduces your costs, but also has a lower environmental footprint.

Fewer parts and less material mean cost savings for you and less waste for the planet.

The following examples show how a retaining ring is a more efficient alternative:

Machined Shoulder

Machining a shoulder and screw threads onto a ½ inch cold-rolled steel shaft to accept a washer and nut retainer will generate 0.021lbs of waste.

Using a retaining ring in this kind of application requires machining two grooves to accept an SH-50 (.5″) retaining ring only produces 0.003lbs of waste and uses considerably less cutting fluid.

Cover plate and screws

Another common fixation method is with adding a cover plate and screws. In order for a housing to accept a cover plate, enough threads need to be machined into the housing, as well as the need for bolts to retain the bearing.

All of this machining, as well as the additional expense of new bolts and plates, could be replaced by a single groove and just one Rotor Clip internal retaining ring.

Cotter pin and washer

A solution that Rotor Clip’s Retaining Rings often replace is the traditional cotter pin and washer, also sometimes known as the split pin or cotter key. In order to use a cotter pin, you would need to hold the shaft to the brace by drilling a hole through it, installing a washer and fastening the system with a cotter pin.

Or, you could simply machine a groove onto the shaft and install a retaining ring. It creates a “shoulder” that retains the component or assembly. Using a retaining ring in this application eliminates the need for drilling a hole, creating more waste and removes the need from using heavier cotter pins and washers. This will also help to lighten up your application.

Set Screw Collars

Shaft collars can be used to position and retain parts on a shaft. However, they are bulky and expensive; the set screw can also dig into the shaft when tightened causing damage.

Again, these collars can be replaced by machining a groove and using a retaining ring.

Lock Nut vs. Retaining Ring

Rotary unions perform the critical sealing function between fixed plumbing and machinery that is constantly rotating. Integral to this function is the inner cartridge, containing the seal and bearing, which must be periodically replaced. A threaded lock nut previously held the assembly in place. Removal required a special wrench.

The customer replaced the threads with a simple machined groove. A Rotor Clip internal retaining ring replaced the lock nut. With this improved design, a much less expensive fastener replaced a costly, machined part. It also saved time in assembly for the manufacturer and eliminated environmentally damaging waste from the machining process.

Beveled Vs. Shims

By using one of Rotor Clip’s VHO beveled retaining rings; engineers have erased the need for a bulky cover bolted to the main body of power steering assemblies. This allows the steering mechanism to be cut to almost the exact shape needed. Wasted space is wasted money and those are two things noticeably absent from this design. Also, the beveled ring takes up end play and eliminates the need for shims.

Learn more:

• Retaining Rings