---
title: Advancing Medical Device Engineering with Smalley Springs and Retaining Rings | TFC Europe
description: Discover how Smalley’s Spirolox Retaining Rings and Crest-to-Crest® Wave Springs meet the stringent demands of medical device application
image: https://blog.afceur.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Advancing-Medical-Device-Engineering-Main-Image-min.png
---
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# Advancing Medical Device Engineering with Smalley Springs and 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.
March 17, 2020
## ~Discover how Smalley’s Spirolox Retaining Rings and Crest-to-Crest® Wave Springs, including new smaller designs, are meeting the stringent demands of medical device applications~
**Our [**Smalley Spirolox Retaining Rings and Wave Springs**](https://tfc.eu.com/technical/wavesprings/) are suitable for a range of medical devices, including surgical instruments, implantable devices, imaging equipment and dental tools.**
For almost 40 years, AFC has partnered with US-based Smalley to become the leading European supplier and technical support centre for Smalley’s Wave Springs, Spirolox Retaining Rings and Snap Rings. Smalley is ISO 13485:2016 certified, a Quality Systems Standard written specifically for medical device manufacturers.
The flagship Crest-to-Crest® multi-turn compression springs have always been of interest to designers because of their axial and radial space-saving features. As engineers around the world design smaller assemblies, the question is, where can they find the compact components to support their designs?
Spirolox Retaining Ring used in a hip replacement.
Over the past decade, Smalley’s production team has enhanced its ability to produce smaller springs to match the requirements of the medical and electronic industries. This has culminated in the expansion of the popular YC and YCM series down to 0.188 inches and 5 mm in diameter. Special designs are also 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.
Smalley Wave Springs reliably satisfy precise operating conditions, which make them ideal for the tight radial and axial spaces found in many medical applications. The latest developments from Smalley have created further possibilities for designers in the medical industry, where typically small cavity sizes limit the available spring force properties.
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