What are Tolerance Rings used for?

Tolerance Ring AN BN Euro-Bearings UK

A Tolerance Ring is a corrugated metal strip which is used to act between two cylindrical objects to create an interference fit. The corrugations act like springs, fastening the two objects together. They can also be used for torque control and can provide overload protection using torque slip.

They fall into the general category of friction fasteners. They are made from spring steel or stainless steel.

There are two different types of tolerance ring. Our AN type are used to hold an object into a housing. Our BN type is used to hold an object onto a shaft. If for example the object is a bearing then you would use the AN type on the outer diameter and you would use the BN type in the bore.

The use of a tolerance ring can reduce assembly times, permit larger machining tolerances and can compensate for misalignment and thermal expansion between components. A tolerance ring also allows for disassembly.

Typical applications include:

  • mounting of bearings
  • pulley to shaft connections
  • fan to shaft connections
  • mounting knobs
  • mounting stators in electric motors
  • mounting magnets
  • refurbishment of housings
  • torque control

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