Image of Hip Replacement tool for TFC's medical application page for retaining rings and wave springs.

As the preferred supplier to the medical industry, Smalley™s Spirolox Retaining Rings and Wave Springs are found in medical devices from surgical instruments to implantables, imaging equipment to dental tools and more.

Smalley is now ISO 13485:2016 certified, after a rigorous, nearly year-long application process and aggressive quality audit with a third-party registrar (DQS). This international Quality Systems Standard, written specifically for medical device manufacturers, has its foundation based on ISO 9001.

For almost 40 years TFC has partnered with US-based Smalley Steel Ring Company to become the leading European supplier and technical support centre for Smalley’s Wave Springs, Spirolox Retaining Rings and Snap Rings.

The flagship Crest-to-Crest® multi-turn compression springs have always been of interest to designers because of their axial & radial space saving features. As engineers around the world design smaller and smaller assemblies, the question becomes, where can I find the compact components to support my designs?

Over the past decade, in particular, Smalley’s production team have significantly enhanced their ability to produce smaller and smaller springs to match the requirements of the medical and electronic industries. This development has culminated in the recent expansion of the popular YC & YCM series down to 0.188 inches and 5 mm in diameter with special designs being available down to 0.157 inches or 4mm in diameter.

Smalley’s unique edge-winding process enables parts to be cost-effectively manufactured from many materials, including surgical 316 Stainless Steel and implantable Titanium.

Wave Springs are produced to reliably satisfy precise operating conditions which make them ideal for accurate load, and the tight radial and axial spaces found in many medical applications. These latest manufacture developments from Smalley have created further possibilities for designers within the medical industry where typically small cavity sizes limit the available spring force properties.

Contact TFC’s engineering technical support team to discuss how these new small retaining rings and wave springs can enhance your application.

T: +44 (0) 1435 866011
E: sales@tfc.eu.com