Spirolox Rings support an Eco Racing Challenge

Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) decided on a tough assignment when they entered the World Solar Challenge®, a biannual 3,000 km race from Darwin to Adelaide which takes place in October this year. With over 6 years of experience in the design and development of solar-powered vehicles, CUER's aim is to win the race against very stiff competition from universities and companies from all over the globe, using cutting edge technology to harness the power of the sun. Their latest vehicle is a radical departure from their previous designs and incorporates space-grade solar panels with sun-tracking capability and a light, extremely aerodynamic outer shell. TFC's Spirolox® Retaining Rings are being used in a couple of locations on the car – the drive motor where the rings secure the main motor bearings to the non-rotating axle, and the suspension at the front where they hold spherical bearings in place in the wishbone assembly. Alex Robinson, part of the 60 strong design and development team at CUER says “the compactness, weight and load bearing aspects of TFC's Spirolox Rings made them the perfect choice for both applications. The low profile of the rings which have no lugs to interfere with mating components enabled us to keep the dimensions to a minimum and assist in the critical aspect of weight loss” Spirolox® Retaining Rings are manufactured by coiling from flattened round wire and have lots of advantages over conventional die-stamped circlips or retaining rings namely; Easy installation and removal No tooling charges on custom designs Available in a wide range of exotic materials and finishes Special end configurations to suit specific applications No gap – full 360° retaining surface No Protruding lugs to interfere with mating components (uniform cross section) Economically produced in stainless steel