Wave springs were first developed in the 1970s, initially designed specifically for the aerospace and military industries. Compared to conventional round wire coil springs, wave springs offer two major advantages: under the same load conditions, they can reduce the working stroke by up to 50% and decrease the spring’s weight by up to 70%.

In the early days, wave springs were produced by stamping thin steel sheets, which involved high tooling costs, long lead times, and could only produce single-turn wave springs. With advancements in manufacturing processes, modern wave springs are made by coiling flat wire using specialized forming techniques. This allows for the production of both single-turn and multi-turn wave springs, in wavy or flat configurations. Additionally, the improved process helps to eliminate the issue of excessive outer diameter expansion during compression, which could otherwise interfere with surrounding components.

How do wave springs work?
Wave springs consist of a series of waves or curves along the length of the spring. When the spring is compressed, the waves flatten; when released, they return to their original shape. This design enables the spring to store and release energy rapidly, making it ideal for applications where fast response time is critical.