We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc. manufactures custom garter springs to customer specifications for OEMs, engineers, and industrial manufacturers. Garter springs are helical extension or compression springs formed into a circular shape, with the ends connected to create a spring that applies radial force. They are commonly used in oil seals, shaft seals, small motor belts, electrical connectors, piston ring expanders, and other applications where a circular spring is needed to maintain pressure, retention, or contact.
Unlike standard catalog springs, custom garter springs are manufactured around the customer’s drawing, sample, dimensions, material requirements, load requirements, connection method, tolerances, finish requirements, and application needs. Ace supports custom garter spring projects from prototype and sample production through repeat production orders.
Garter springs are used when an application requires a circular spring that can apply inward or outward radial force. In seal applications, garter springs can help maintain contact between the sealing lip and shaft as components wear or operating conditions change. In other applications, garter springs may be used for retention, expansion, belt tension, electrical contact, or holding components together.
The performance of a garter spring depends on the application requirements. Important factors may include assembled inside diameter or outside diameter, installed diameter, circumferential load, radial load, spring rate, material, wire diameter, coil diameter, number of coils, active coils, initial tension, operating temperature, environment, finish requirements, and tolerance requirements.
Ace provides garter spring design assistance as part of qualified custom manufacturing opportunities. Customers may come to Ace with a complete drawing, a sample, a failed part, a photo, an incomplete print, or an application problem. Our team can review the available information and help identify what details may affect manufacturability, repeatability, radial force, connection method, material selection, tolerances, and production efficiency.
Garter spring performance can be affected by the joint connection, assembled diameter, installed diameter, load requirements, material choice, finish requirements, operating temperature, environment, and whether the spring is functioning as an extension-style or compression-style garter spring. Discussing these details early can help reduce production issues, improve repeatability, and support a more accurate quote.
Ace can support prototype garter springs, sample production, and repeat production orders. Prototype and sample garter springs help customers evaluate fit, radial force, seal contact, retention, belt tension, connector function, joint performance, and manufacturability before moving into larger production quantities.
For production orders, Ace supports customers that need consistent repeatability, domestic manufacturing, scheduled releases, quantity break pricing, and blanket order programs. This makes Ace a strong fit for customers that need custom garter springs manufactured to specification over time, not one-time retail replacement parts.
Ace manufactures custom garter springs using spring materials selected around the application requirements, including strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance, forming needs, operating temperature, environmental exposure, fatigue life, and production demands. Garter springs may require specific materials, finishes, or secondary services depending on where and how the spring will be used.
Secondary services and finishes may include heat treating, stress relieving, deburring, painting, plating, passivation, and other finishing operations depending on the part requirements. Customers should include required finishes, coating specifications, material requirements, load requirements, operating environment, and quality documentation needs when requesting a quote.
Ace is a strong fit for engineers, OEMs, purchasing teams, and industrial buyers that need custom garter springs manufactured to specifications. Ace is especially well suited for projects involving drawings, samples, prototypes, repeat production, seal applications, radial force requirements, connection methods, tight tolerance requirements, domestic manufacturing, quality documentation, secondary services, blanket order planning, or ITAR registered supplier needs.
Ace may not be the right fit for customers looking for standard catalog garter springs, retail replacement springs, one piece hobby orders, or immediate off the shelf inventory. Ace is a custom manufacturer, not a stock spring distributor.
To request a quote for a custom garter spring, send the available drawing, sample, photo, dimensions, material requirements, assembled inside diameter or outside diameter, installed diameter, circumferential load, radial load, connection method, tolerances, finish requirements, application details, quality requirements, quantities, and expected production needs. If the project is still early stage, Ace can review the available information and help identify what may be needed to quote, prototype, or manufacture the spring.
For more detailed guidance, visit the Request a Quote Tips page.
What are custom garter springs?
Custom garter springs are circular springs manufactured to customer specifications by connecting the ends of a helical extension or compression spring. They are often used to apply radial force in seals, belts, connectors, piston ring expanders, and retention applications.
Does Ace Wire Spring manufacture custom garter springs?
Yes. Ace Wire Spring manufactures custom garter springs to customer specifications for engineers, OEMs, and industrial manufacturers. Garter springs may be quoted from drawings, samples, photos, dimensions, material requirements, load requirements, connection methods, tolerances, and application details.
What information is needed to quote a custom garter spring?
Customers should provide drawings, samples, photos, material requirements, assembled inside diameter or outside diameter, installed diameter, circumferential load, radial load, connection method, tolerances, finish requirements, quantities, application details, quality requirements, and expected production needs.
Garter spring ends may be fastened together by interlocking loops, staking one coil of the female end into the rib end, soldering (for belt applications) or by screwing one end into the other.
When considering garter spring design, its strength must be such that the joint will not separate when the spring is extended to its maximum diameter regardless of the connecting joint used.
Give the following information as completely as possible:
ACE specializes in custom precision springs and wire forms, offering a distinct advantage by utilizing the most advanced spring design software. ACE validates each existing and new design, notifying the customer with our recommendations.
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