What are the types of spacers? 

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Just like fluted pins, there are several types ofstruts. They are mechanical fixing means used to position assemblies containing screws and pins.

LGC Industries produces 4 types of spacers in Avrillée, near Angers:

• Les rectified centering spacers : they allow two holes to be precisely aligned
• Les compression spacers, otherwise called spacers: they maintain a gap between 2 parts
• Les threaded spacers - threaded also called threaded inserts
• Les threaded spacers - smooth also called threaded studs.

Regarding rectified centering spacers, they are used to satisfy centering and alignment within a mechanical assembly.

The inner diameter is adapted to the passage of a screw and the outer diameter ensures precision allowing a perfect fit.

Les struts are used to protect the assemblies of plastic parts against compression forces. They are intended to be overmolded to avoid the deformation of the parts and compensate for dimensional variations during thermal shocks.

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How are spacers made? 

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The first step when making a spacer is the decoupage of the raw material.

The raw material is in the form of long, hollow tubes. The material and the diameter depend on the desired final part.

The tube enters a machine which cuts it to the desired length.

The part can be further machined with specialized machines. For example, chamfers may be required or finishes on the material may be applied.

The piece then goes through a stage of rectification.

Grinding consists in using a machined dimension to achieve better precision and improve its surface condition. At LGC Industries, we rectify the diameters of the pins or spacers. The grinding process is simple: a roller presses the parts against a grinding wheel rotating at high speed. It is the wheel that, by abrasion, will modify the diameter of the part to reach tolerances of a few microns (~5-6 μm).

Once the part has been machined, it goes through the washer ! Even the fixing elements have the right to be cleaned up before being sent to our customers!

This step removes chips and oil residues on the parts. We can add anti-corrosion protection to it.

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What are the application cases related to spacers? 

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Les struts centering devices are mainly found in engines. They are used to assemble the two parts of a housing so that they are well aligned. This precision is important to avoid discrepancies.

Centering spacers are also present in car wheels. By modifying the spacing of the wheels, they play a mainly mechanical role offering a positive impact on road holding.

Les struts are also present in the camshaft in order to correctly position the screws in the housing. Finally, we can find spacers in the suspension of a vehicle because they connect the pivot points to the chassis.

Rectified centering spacers are used to satisfy the centering and alignment of two half-cases such as transmission belt casings, bearing centering, gearbox housing, cylinder head, pump.

Les struts are for their part designed for intake manifolds or air conditioning connections for example.

Threaded - threaded spacers, called Intervis® at LGC Industries, have other application cases that you can To find in our blog post dedicated to This specific piece.

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The advantages that spacers offer in their uses:

Spacers are products requested by a lot of professionals, this may be a reflection of the advantages that these parts offer:

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• Stiffness improvement: By making the structure rigid, the spacers have superior flexural and torsional resistance, which greatly increases the life of the components.
• Distribution of forces: Spacers distribute forces over a wide area, this reduces pressure and reduces part damage.
• Maintaining alignment: The spacers maintain precise alignment between the parts, which allows optimal functioning for mechanical systems.
• Game reduction: By filling the space between rooms, spacers minimize play and vibration, contributing to quiet use.
• Ease of installation: The installation and dismantling of spacers are not difficult operations, which facilitates maintenance as well as repairs.

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Conclusion

Spacers are often used by industrial professionals but it is not always easy to make the right choice when it comes to these fixing means.

We advise you to call on professionals to make the best choices in terms of types of spacers, dimensions, material and specificity so that it corresponds 100% to your application.

At LGC Industries we are experts in cylindrical fasteners for 85 years. Our aim is to support our customers inCo-design of the product adapted to their needs.

Our design offices and our factory in Angevin with 130 machines serve us to support our customers throughout their project by ensuring that their specifications are respected. So we are at your disposal if you need it.

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Thanks for reading and see you soon at LGC Industries!

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