What are Tolerance Rings?
What is a tolerance ring?
It is a corrugated metal strip that acts as an interface between two mechanical objects, to secure one to the other by interference fit.
What are tolerance rings made from?
Spring Steel Strip or Stainless Steel Strip – the majority from Stainless.
How do I specify the tolerance ring I need?
There are two basic types of ring & the simplest way to remember is this:
Type BN is used for holding a bearing/object onto a shaft
Type AN is used for holding a bearing/object into a housing.
Following this rule, you can easily select the ring you want for other jobs…… for example holding a knob onto a shaft use a BN type tolerance ring
What sort of torque can be transmitted – will they slip?
See the data sheets for the dimensions of the mating parts and the torque transfer capability.
If the torque stated is exceeded the tolerance ring will slip – this can be a means of preventing damage.
The allowable torques are high.
What other advantages do tolerance rings have?
- rapid assembly lowers costs
- permit larger machining tolerances
- compensate for different rates of thermal expansion
- eliminate expensive features on parts (for example keyways, pins, screws etc)
- absorb vibrations
- resist corrosion
- overload protection
Tags: stainless steel, tolerance, tolerance ring
