Product sheet
Category sheet
Spacers - Sockets

Spacers are components used in mechanical assembly to:

  • Create space or maintain a precise distance between two or more items
  • Position or center two or more elements within an assembly
  • Protect the integrity of the assembly by limiting the compression load exerted on the assembly.

They are often made of metal or plastic and take the form of tubes or hollow cylinders. Spacers are particularly effective in applications where a weight reduction criterion is required.

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Spacer - cylindrical spacer - threaded spacer

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Spacer - cylindrical spacer - threaded spacer

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From design to serial production of your parts
Co-Design and Development
1
In close collaboration with the engineers of the LGC design office, you will define the specifications, technical requirements and constraints of the project.
  • Feasibility control using the FMEA tool, which is used to analyze failure modes, their effects and their criticality.
Prototyping and Testing
2
Once the concept is approved, the project team creates physical prototypes using a 3D machine and simulation software such as SolidWorks Premium, Spacerclaim.

  • Manufacture of initial samples in medium series, and validation of production with PPAP according to the IATF 16949 standard.
Industrialization and Production
3
The serial transition is carried out according to the validated process according to the production control plan written by a multidisciplinary team.
  • Development of detailed production processes according to the APQP quality process
    Assessment and Improvement
    4
    After 3 to 6 months of series production, an evaluation based on the criteria required by the IATF 16949 standard verifies the conformity of the project at 100%.
    • Collection and analysis of production data to identify trends and variations. 3PPM in 2023.
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      What is a spacer?

      A spacer is a rigid cylindrical part, often made of steel, which makes it possible to link and maintain two other parts in a fixed distance.

      A spacer is a component used in mechanical assemblies to create space or maintain a precise distance between two or more elements.

      What is a socket?

      A socket is an extremely precise mechanical part that makes it possible to link two parts, possibly mobile, to be linked by creating a fastener that:

      • Limits the weight of the assembly
      • Eliminates friction between rooms.

      Bushings are found in engines or car suspension, sockets are used in mechanical assemblies to:

      1. Position or center two or more elements within an assembly, we speak of a centering socket
      2. Protect the integrity of the assembly by limiting the load compression exerted on the assembly, we speak of a compression socket

      They are frequently made of metal or plastic and take the form of tubes or hollow cylinders. Bushings are particularly different from other assembly solutions in applications requiring weight reduction.

      For example, the use of smooth sockets reduces the consumption of expensive and generally rare antifriction materials and simplifies repairs by reducing the costs of installing and replacing worn sockets with a new socket.

      What is the difference between a spacer and a socket?

      At first glance, sockets and spacers are the same product, the major difference between these 2 names lies in the role that the part plays.

      Indeed, we speak of a spacer when the purpose of the piece is to create a space between two rooms. In English, a spacer is called “spacer” we find the concept of space, a spacer aims to create and maintain a space.

      The main application of the spacer is that of a rotation system such as a ball bearing (bicycle hubs, gearboxes, etc.).

      The spacer creates a space between the two bearings in order to keep them in a fixed position. In the following image, we see the spacer between two bearings, here the assembly seems disassembled since the parts are not in contact.

       

      Spacer between two bearings

      Here is a bicycle rack spacer, allowing the luggage rack holder not to slide on its mounting pin.

      The name of the socket is much more significant than that of the spacer, because while the latter has a specific role, the socket has several, much more specialized ones. This is why there is a tendency to associate the application directly with the product.

      Unlike the spacer, the socket is often associated with specific and technical applications. When we talk about a cylindrical socket, we are not talking about a smooth socket.

      Rather, we speak of a centering socket or a positioning socket, thus underlining its crucial role in assembly or alignment operations.

      This is not just a simple language defect, but rather a lack of understanding of the diversity of functions that a socket can perform.

      It is reassuring to note that this linguistic confusion is widespread, but it is essential to recognize the importance of sockets in applications that are much more precise than spacers.

      The different types of sockets and spacers

      Like other fasteners and assemblies, there are a variety of sockets and spacers available.

      Spacers play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of plastic part assemblies by protecting them from compression stresses.

      Their overmolding makes it possible to avoid any unwanted deformation, while they skilfully correct dimensional variations caused by thermal shocks.

      Would you like to know more about our spacers?

      Go to our dedicated article: All you need to know about spacers

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