I'm already using a wave washer - why should I use a wave spring instead?

Wave springs can offer force tolerances that are up to 50% tighter than a standard stamped wave washer. You can also expect more predictable loading since the spring rate remains relatively linear over a larger operating range.

How are free height, working height and operating range related?

Wave springs are designed to provide a specified load at a given working height. Anything between the uncompressed free height and fully compressed solid height can be considered the operating range. To ensure predictable loading, we recommend specifying the working height to stay between certain operating ranges based on the style of the wave spring:

•  Multi-turn wave springs typically provide predictable loading between 20 to 80% deflection.
• Single turn and nested wave springs typically provide predictable loading between 30 to 70% deflection.

Are there temperature or environmental maximums to be aware of?

As mentioned above, there are wave springs available for almost every environmental condition you can think of. Because wave springs can be made from almost any material, even temperatures into the 1,300°C range are possible when using special alloys such as Inconel 718.

Wave springs seem highly engineered, don't they cost more?

Not always. Wave springs operate in such a way that they are superior to coil springs in certain applications because they provide lower work heights with the same force. This not only allows for space savings, but also smaller assemblies that use less materials, hence lowering the cost of the assembly as a whole.