Wave spring

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A wave spring is a type of spring made from flat, pre-hardened wire that is wound on its edge to create waves. The waves and the number of turns can be changed to produce more or less force, helping the spring fit in tighter spaces.

Why it’s useful:
- It saves axial space compared to a traditional coil spring or stacked washers.
- It can deliver high force with precision.
- It can replace Belleville washers in some designs.
- It works well for applications needing large deflection with a small spring rate.

Types:
- Single-turn wave springs: includes gap single-turn and overlap single-turn.
- Multi-turn wave springs: includes shim-end and plain-end.
- Nested wave spring: smaller waves inside larger waves for higher load in a compact form.
- Continuous wave-formed wire length: a long, zigzag length that behaves like a wave spring for load-bearing use.
- Zigzag spring: another name for the wave-shaped spring.
- Two-wave/combined designs: made by joining two similar wave springs to achieve specific characteristics.