Wave springs help cushion the blow

Smalley flat wire wave springs are being used by shoe manufacturers for cushioning in the soles of shoes.

The wave springs from TFC are used because of their space-saving abilities and lightweight design compared to conventional coil springs. Wave springs, which typically operate at half the height of conventional coil springs, provide an accurate repeatable load in both the heel and ball of shoes. A single Crest-to-Crest Wave Spring in the heel and two parallel wave springs in the ball of the shoe absorb the impact associated with athletic activities, reducing stress on joints. The springs, manufactured in corrosion resistant 17-7 stainless steel, were specifically designed to handle the extensive cycle life that is associated with the wear of the shoes. Smalley Wave Springs offer accurate, repeatable loads for the duration of the spring life which is designed to outlast the life of the shoe itself. Using the same method of manufacture, TFC Spirolox retaining rings offer a space-saving alternative to conventional circlips. By 'edge-coiling' rectangular section material to exact dimensions, (rather than using the die-stamping process that is used to produce conventional circlips), Spirolox Retaining Rings have a uniform cross-section without lugs to interfere with the assembly and are free of burrs. With a wide range of sizes and materials to chose from, Spirolox rings can be found in thousands of mechanical products throughout the world.