---
title: Creating Tamper-Proof Solutions with Smalley Retaining Rings | TFC Europe
description: Explore the benefits of the Smalley manufacturing process including innovative design and flexible manufacturing for custom internal retaining rings
image: https://blog.afceur.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Creating-Tamper-Proof-Solutions-with-Smalley-Retaining-Rings-Main-mage-min.png
---
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# Creating Tamper-Proof Solutions with Smalley Retaining Rings
Simon Ward
### Simon Ward
Simon leads the UK technical team and specialises in the design and development of Smalley wave springs and spiral retaining rings. With over 25 years of experience, Simon develops bespoke parts for major clients around the world and across a wide range of industry sectors. He is now widely considered the leading authority on Smalley products.
June 24, 2015
## ~Innovative design and flexible manufacturing deliver custom internal retaining rings for secure applications~
By utilising the total flexibility of the Smalley manufacturing process, it was possible to easily and inexpensively design a special 2-turn internal retaining ring for this tamper proof application. Ordinarily an internal retaining ring is supplied with a notch on the outer of the ring ends to facilitate removal. By reversing the notch profile (similar to that on an external ring) and by utilising a heavy duty material section, the ring is virtually impossible to remove.
The Smalley method of manufacture involves coiling flattened round wire to an exact diameter and, unlike conventional die-stamped circlips, does not involve any expensive tooling. Although there are many specific ranges of internal and external rings designed for Imperial and Metric standard grooves, this unique method of manufacture allows for the production of prototypes, small production runs and mid-life modifications to be accomplished easily and economically.
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