WINTER 2023

96 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

96 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK LAURENCE CLAUS RETAINING RINGS from page 10 FIGURE 1: EXAMPLE OF SHAFT HELD IN-PLACE WITH E-RING Design Considerations Although an entire market for these fasteners exists, it must be understood that these fasteners are a unique solution to a narrow set of applications. Even though they can be designed to provide some spring tension to compensate for tolerances or provide a “snug fit”, they are not designed to generate high clamping loads. Thus, they cannot be used in clamped joints where two or more components are held together by a clamping load. Therefore, they are essentially an elegant solution for retaining components in internal bore holes or onto shafts. When planning such applications designers must work through seven design steps. [1] WHICH TYPE OF RETAINING RING TO USE The first step of the design process is to assess the required performance criteria and the design’s limitations to determine which style of ring is best to use. Retaining Rings fall into four general classifications: {A] Tapered Section Rings: These provide ring to groove contact over the entire contacting surface and are appropriate for applications that must accommodate higher loads. {B] Constant Section Rings: These do not provide full radial contact but rather contact at two or three distinct points. With less radial contact, they are intended for medium to low load applications. {C] Spiral Rings: These must be axially installed and provide full, 360° contact. {D] Circular Push-on Rings: These rings have teeth like a toothed lock washer and are pushed into place. They are only for very low load applications. To determine which of these four categories and the right style to use, designers must ask themselves some questions: ¤ What components need to be retained? If the component that needs to be retained is inside a bore hole or housing, then the designer must choose a ring appropriate for internal installations. If the assembly is to retain a component on a shaft then the designer must choose a ring appropriate for external installations. ¤ What load demands are required on the ring? Rotating bodies generate an axial force, known as thrust, which pushes axially along the centerline of the rotating part. The faster the body turns the more thrust developed. Therefore, if the proposed ring is intended to retain, say a gear onto a shaft, the designer must know how much potential thrust the ring is required to withstand. The magnitude of the developed thrust determines which type and style of ring can be utilized, the direct amount of necessary engagement between the ring and groove, the amount of shoulder created by the ring, and the thickness of the ring. ¤ Does the ring need to provide some spring retention? Like all manufactured products, rotating assemblies are designed with some tolerance. Because it is impossible to manufacture to exact values, tolerances provide minimum and maximum limits which make it feasible to assemble components together. CONTINUED ON PAGE 144

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 97 The Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association (MFDA) congratulates its newest Hall of Fame inductee, Ken Schneeloch, Jr. Ken Schneeloch, Jr., of Michael F. McCormick Associates Inc., was inducted into the MFDA Hall of Fame at the dinner following the 2022 MFDA Table Top Show in September. Ken has been a member of the MFDA for over 40 years. He has served on the MFDA board of directors for much of that time, and for 25 years served as the MFDA’s secretary. In 1995, Ken had the idea to hold a golf outing the day before a tabletop show. 27 years later, it has now become the MFDA’s favorite social event. Ken was joined at the dinner by his wife Nancy, and their daughter Marissa. Their son, Kevin, an MFDA Scholarship recipient, is at James Madison University in Virginia. Congratulations Ken and thank you for your service to the MFDA. The MFDA Hall of Fame was founded in 2016 to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Association or the Fastener Industry as a whole, past recipients include Irwin Tanzman, Christopher George, Pat Lang, Bill Lang, Bill Fivehouse, Doug Thonus, Chuck Halpin, Sidney Cohen, Ron Jones, Leslie Sieper, and Roger Stillman. For more information contact the Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association at P233 Rock Road #205, Glen Rock, NJ 07452. Tel: 201-254- 7784, Fax: 201-612-0638, Email: mfdaboard@ gmail.com or visit them online at www.mfda.us.