Blog
Smalley's Commitment to Quality Earns 14th Consecutive GM Supplier Excellence Award
Lake Zurich, IL, September 21, 2026 – A continued focus on quality, consistency, and customer support has earned Smalley the General Motors' 2025 Supplier Quality Excellence Award, marking the…
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4 Springs That Can Replace a Coil Spring
Key Takeaways Wave springs offer alternatives to coil springs with different force, travel, and flexibility. Crest-to-Crest® springs deliver the same force and deflection in up to 50% less height…
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5 Common Misconceptions About Bearing Preload
Proper bearing preload is essential for achieving rigidity, improving accuracy, reducing noise, and extending bearing life. Yet across industries, preloading remains one of the most misunderstood…
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Smalley Recognized with GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award for 13th Straight Year
Lake Zurich, IL, August 11, 2025 – Smalley is honored to receive General Motors’ 2024 Supplier Quality Excellence Award, recognizing our exceptional performance and commitment to exceeding GM’s…
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Wave Spring Guide: A Brief Overview
Finding the best possible design solution can be challenging when designing an application. Knowing what options are available can simplify the process. Smalley provides an innovative and unique type…
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How and Why You Should Use a Wave Spring for Bearing Preload
What does it mean to “preload”? A bearing is designed to move freely and has multiple moving parts that work together as one unit. Tolerance stack-up from both manufacturing and assembly can quickly…
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Smalley Launches Online Store for Wave Springs and Retaining Rings
Our customers know that Smalley is committed to delivering the highest-quality retaining rings and wave springs backed by exceptional service. We are eager to announce a new service channel: the…
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Understanding Wave Springs: Key Factors Influencing Compression Force
Wave springs are a versatile type of spring with a unique design. They offer a more compact solution than a coil spring for applications requiring some form of loading. In this Ask the Expert blog,…
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GM Awards Smalley for 12th Consecutive Year for High-Quality Retaining Rings and Wave Springs
Lake Zurich, IL, June 6, 2024 – Smalley is thrilled to announce it has been awarded General Motors’ 2023 Supplier Quality Excellence Award. This honorable award is granted to GM suppliers who meet or…
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Would a Standard Wave Spring Made in a Special Material Maintain the Same Spring Rate and Performance?
There are many factors to consider when designing a product. Will the product be exposed to high temperatures or high humidity? Perhaps it will frequently come into contact with certain chemicals or…