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Industrial & Automotive Parts |
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Circlips are open-ended metal rings used to secure a pinned connection. This type of fastener is usually made from metal like steel or stainless steel. It allows rotation on a machined groove while preventing lateral movement. Circlips can also serve as an assembly's detachable shoulder to hold tools in a bore or shaft.
Circlips are also known as retaining rings, snap rings, retaining clips, and C-type
You can split an external circlip at a certain point in that it springs open and fits around a shaft. Then, it closes into a fitted annular recess around the shaft. Meanwhile, you can clinch an internal circlip to fit inside a bore before it springs back into a shape, forming a shoulder in the housing.
In simpler terms, external rings are snug around the shaft and press against it, while internal rings fit inside a cylindrical bore and push outwards.
Internal circlips are retaining rings that fit inside a cylindrical bore or housing and push in an outward motion.
The best way to find the internal circlip size you need, is to measure the inside diameter of the bore (not the circlip groove). For example, a 30mm bore will require a 30mm circlip (keeping in mind that the 30mm circlip will not measure 30mm on the outside diameter as it is not yet compressed).
If however, you want to measure the circlip itself to see what bore it suits, the correct way is by measuring from the outside on one side, then to the inside on the other.
Most if not all circlip grooves and circlips will be machined/made to a standard. Please note if your application has a circlip that is not standard (heavy duty version) then the width and depth need to be measured on the shaft/bore and the circlip.
Refer to the charts below for a simple circlip guide .
External circlips fit snug around the shaft and press against it instead of outward, unlike the internal circlip.
The best way to find the external circlip size you need, is to measure the outside diameter of the shaft (not the circlip groove). For example, a 30mm shaft will require a 30mm circlip (keeping in mind that the inside diameter of the circlip will measure less than 30mm as it has not yet expanded).
If however, you want to measure the circlip itself to see what shaft it suits, the correct way is by measuring from the outside on one side, then to the inside on the other.
Most if not all circlip grooves and circlips will be machined/made to a standard. Please note if your application has a circlip that is not standard (heavy duty version) then the width and depth need to be measured on the shaft/bore and the circlip.
Refer to the charts below for a simple circlip guide.
One common problem is having incorrect measurements relative to the shaft or bore when it comes to circlips. You can measure a retaining clip's outside diameter (OD) or inside diameter (ID). However, it doesn't necessarily mean that your calculations will match with the shaft or bore. That's why it's essential to learn the proper ways of measuring the internal circlip size and how to measure external circlip size.
Take a look at this example:
The outside diameter of an internal circlip measures 30mm. This does not suit a 30mm bore, it suits a 28mm bore.
The inside diameter of an external circlip measures 30mm. This does not suit a 30mm shaft, it suits a 32-33mm shaft.
Circlips and circlip grooves are typically made to a standard. If your application involves a non-standard circlip (i.e. heavy-duty version), please measure the width and depth on the shaft or bore and the circlip.
How to measure internal circlip size? How to measure external circlip size?
To assist you in measuring internal and external circlips, please refer to the respective circlip size chart by clicking on these links:
Please take note of these important columns:
To install internal circlips the right way, please follow these steps:
To remove internal circlips properly, please follow these steps:
To install external circlips correctly, please follow these steps:
To remove external clips the right way, please follow these steps:
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Up to you, but I think it is helpful to refer the person to the tables as this is definitely the easiest way to find the correct circlip. Although we are answering the questions, ultimately if a person actually wants to find out they should look at the charts. Perhaps link to the chart section below or direct to the charts?
Up to you, but I think it is helpful to refer the person to the tables as this is definitely the easiest way to find the correct circlip. Although we are answering the questions, ultimately if a person actually wants to find out they should look at the charts. Perhaps link to the chart section below or direct to the charts?