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How to Assemble a Tolerance Ring
Tolerance rings are great for quick assembly. There are a few points that need to be thought about, so that the process is seamless. Each type of ring (SV and HV) have a slightly different way of assembling:
Assembly for both SV and HV style tolerance rings
Our video demonstrates how to assemble both a SV and HV tolerance ring. Alternatively, this page gives an overview of each step with visuals.
SV style assembly
The SV style tolerance ring is normally closed in the free state so that when installed onto a shaft, the ring will conform to that shaft and be self-retaining. The ring sits on the shaft with corrugations on the outside to be compressed by the inner diameter of the mating bore.
1. Open the free ends of the tolerance ring and place over the shaft. Care should be taken to ensure that the ring nests squarely on the shaft.
If there is no shoulder on shaft, it will be necessary to use a temporary assembly back stop to prevent the tolerance ring from sliding out of position when the housing bore is pressed onto the shaft/tolerance ring assembly.
2. Place the shaft and ring assembly along with the housing component into an assembly press fixture. A fixture is necessary to ensure that the inner component and bore are held concentric and square to one another.
3. Apply a uniform and consistent force using an arbor press or hydraulic cylinder to fully seat the housing component onto the tolerance ring.
Following removal of any temporary backstop assembly aid.
HV style assembly
The HV style tolerance ring is open in the free state so that when installed inside a bore, the ring will conform to that bore and be self-retaining. The ring sits in the housing with corrugations on the inside to be compressed by the outer diameter of the mating part.
1. Insert the ring by carefully squeezing the free ends together and placing it into a bore. Care should be taken to ensure that the ring nests squarely in the housing bore.
If there is no shoulder in the housing bore, it will be necessary to use a backing plate behind the ring to prevent it from sliding out of position when the inner component (such as a shaft or bearing) is inserted.
2. Place the housing and ring assembly along with the inner component into an assembly press fixture. A fixture is necessary to ensure that the inner component and bore are held concentric and square to one another.
3. Apply a uniform and consistent force using an arbor press or hydraulic cylinder to fully seat the inner component into the bore. If required, a fixture can be used for improved concentricity.
Need help with your assembly?
Once the assembly system is set up, tolerance rings can offer big benefits in process efficiency over other ways of assembling. However, if you have never used tolerance rings before, it is often a good idea to talk to us about how to assemble them on your line and we can provide some specific help with assembling tolerance rings. We can work with you to make sure that you get the most out of the tolerance rings when assembling, including helping design jigs, giving advice on the assembly method and we can even visit your site to help. Contact us and we’d be happy to help.