Conventional compression coil springs remain widely used, but in applications where axial space is limited and preload control is critical, engineers are turning to wave spring technology as a more efficient alternative.
Wave springs are compression springs manufactured from flat wire and formed into a series of precisely engineered waves around a circular ring. Unlike coil springs, which rely on multiple turns stacked axially, wave springs generate load through wave geometry.
This fundamental design difference allows wave springs to deliver equivalent force and deflection with significantly reduced working height – often achieving axial space savings of up to 50 percent, compared with conventional coil springs.
Read the full article in DPA's February 2026 issue