The Only Manufacturer of Every Retaining Ring Style
For over 65 years, Rotor Clip has been the only manufacturer of all retaining ring types (snap rings/constant section rings, circlips/tapered section rings & spiral rings), setting us apart from the competition. With our precision manufacturing capabilities in the US and Europe, we offer over 20,000 standard parts, as well as custom parts in sizes ranging from 0.040″ to 47″ (1 mm to 1200 mm) in Inch, DIN, ANSI metric, and JIS. Rotor Clip retaining rings guarantee high-quality performance every time, no matter the industry or environment.
Billions of retaining rings flow through Rotor Clip factories annually, either coiled from wire sections or stamped from strip. Our fully flexible processes cater for both mass production or smaller custom lots, smaller or larger rings in both special and standard materials – engineered to our customers’ specifications.
Snap Rings, Circlips, Retaining Clips, Tapered Section Rings, Constant Section Rings —our products go by many names, but they all fall into one of our distinct ring families. Explore our extensive range of retaining ring offerings below.
At Rotor Clip, we work with you from prototype to production, offering customized retaining rings, circlips, snap and spiral rings, engineered to your exact specifications. Whether adjusting wire thickness, diameter, or depth, or modifying end configurations, we’re here to make it happen seamlessly.
Our retaining rings can be manufactured from almost any custom or standard material that can be stamped or coiled. From stainless steel to exotic alloys including Elgiloy, Hastelloy and more, our expert engineering team leverages their metallurgical expertise to ensure maximum reliability and performance of your retaining rings, snap rings, and spiral rings.
Explore Standard & Custom Retaining Ring Materials and Finishes
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A retaining ring is a fastening component that secures parts in position on a shaft or within a housing, creating an artificial shoulder or joining components together. Compared to cotter pins or bolts, retaining rings require minimal surface preparation and reduce overall mass while maintaining axial positioning under load.
There are multiple styles of retaining rings, including tapered section rings or circlips, constant section snap rings, spiral retaining rings, and radial rings such as E-rings and C-clips, each designed for specific assembly requirements and installation conditions.
Retaining rings, including circlips, snap rings and spiral rings, can be found in applications across every industry, including automotive, military, medical, and aerospace. Here are some application examples.
Rotor Clip’s high-speed retaining rings, also known as balanced rings, are designed for higher revolution rates compared to standard counterparts. Their enhanced stability minimizes vibration and noise, making them ideal for applications like electric vehicle motors.
We are committed to providing our customers with a quality product 100 percent of the time. To support this goal, we adhere to strict regulatory requirements and quality standards, followed by ongoing product testing and continuous improvements.
Our in-house lab conducts comprehensive product tests, pivotal for our Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions and First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR). We uphold our reputation with certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, AS9100 and ISO 13485.
For efficient installation and removal of retaining rings, circlips, snap rings, and spiral rings, various methods are available depending on the different types and applications. Common techniques include using retaining ring pliers for axial rings, an applicator tool for radial retaining rings like E clips, or a tapered mandrel for expanding the ring into position. Trust our expertise in recommending the perfect ring and assembly tools, minimizing damage, protecting surrounding components, and mitigating any potential personnel injury risks.
Our retaining ring packaging is designed for easy handling, simplifying installation, and crafted from fully recyclable materials, aligning with your schedule, cost projections, and sustainability goals. Count on Rotor Clip for exceptional service throughout the entire process.
Explore More Frequently Asked Questions About Snap Rings and Circlips
A retaining ring (often referred to as a circlip or snap ring) is a fastener that holds components or assemblies onto a shaft or in a housing/bore when installed. Circular push-on retaining rings may be installed in applications where there is no groove. Retaining rings are typically made from carbon steel, stainless steel or beryllium copper and may feature a variety of finishes for aesthetics and corrosion protection depending on the type of environment in which they are used.
Retaining rings can do the same job for a lot less. A simple groove is all that’s needed to accommodate a retaining ring. Other fastener methods, like nuts, require machining threads, which is more costly, and wastes additional materials. Retaining rings will not require periodic re-torquing as a nut and bolt might. Retaining rings are easier to install than fasteners with multiple components, either manually or in automated assembly equipment, reducing labor costs.
We understand that our products are known by various names in the industry, including circlips, snap rings, retaining clips, and more. At Rotor Clip, snap rings are a specific type of retaining ring with a uniform section, designed to snap into a groove on a shaft or bore to secure components. The broader category of retaining rings includes not only snap rings but also other designs like spiral rings and E-clips. In essence, while all snap rings are retaining rings, not all retaining rings are snap rings.
Our passion is creating the best rings, springs, and clamps. Our mission is to make your work a success. We are here for you.
