Spacer - cylindrical spacer - threaded spacer

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Cylindrical spacers: from design to choice of spacer type

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Why use a spacer?

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Spacers are components used in mechanical assemblies to

1. Create space or maintain a precise distance between two or more elements
2. Position or center two or more elements within an assembly
3. Protect the integrity of the assembly by limiting the compressive load exerted on the assembly

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They are frequently made of metal or plastic, and take the form of hollow tubes or cylinders. Spacers stand out from other assembly solutions in applications requiring weight reduction.

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How to make spacers

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The first step in manufacturing a spacer is to cut the raw material with precision.

The raw material comes in the form of long hollow tubes, whose material and diameter vary according to the final part required.

The tubes are fed into a special machine, which cuts them to the desired length.

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Next, the part can undergo various treatments using specialized machines. For example, chamfers may be necessary, or finishes may be applied to the material.

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The part is then subjected to a grinding step.

Grinding is used to adjust machined dimensions for greater precision and improved surface quality. At LGC Industries, we grind pin and spacer diameters. The grinding process is simple: a roller presses the parts against a grinding wheel rotating at high speed. It is the grinding wheel which, through abrasion, modifies the diameter of the part to achieve tolerances of a few microns (~5-6 μm). 

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Once the part has been machined, it goes through our washing machine!

This step removes chips and oil residues from the parts.

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The different types of spacers

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Like other fasteners and connectors, spacers come in a variety of designs.

• ‍Ground centering spacers These spacers enable two holes to be precisely aligned. They are used to ensure centering and alignment within a mechanical assembly.
• ‍Compression spacersalso known as spacers: they maintain a gap between two parts.
• Threaded spacers - tappedalso known as threaded inserts: the inside diameter is adapted to the passage of a screw, while the outside diameter ensures precision for a perfect fit.
• Spacers play an essential role in preserving the integrity of plastic part assemblies by protecting them from compressive stresses. Their overmolding prevents unwanted deformation, while they skilfully correct dimensional variations caused by thermal shock.

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Would you like to find out more about our spacers?

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

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