Special Components
Whatever the project, PSM will custom design and manufacture special parts, whether they are spring steel pressings or lightweight moulded plastic products to suit – giving designers of complex parts all the flexibility they could want.
Wherever manufactured goods are made, PSM has local people on hand to provide technical support, advice and application engineering, project management and customer service.
That’s the reassurance you get from working with a global organisation dedicated to improving your competitive edge – whether you’re using spring steel or any of PSM’s family of fastening solutions.
Design & Specification Considerations
Material Selection & Compatibility
- Choose spring steel grades that give the needed elasticity and fatigue life
- For parts contacting plastic, consider coatings or finishes that reduce wear and friction
- Use materials compatible with the environment (corrosion, temperature, chemicals)
Mechanical & Load Requirements
- Define the required retention force, torque range, fatigue cycles, vibration resistance
- Determine whether the special part needs to combine multiple functions (e.g. latch + clip)
- If used in plastic parts, determine allowable wall thickness, stress, and how loads transmit
Tolerance, Alignment & Fit
- Provide tight tolerances where the special part interfaces with mating components
- If float or misalignment is part of the design, specify allowable play and deflection
- Consider how mating parts, clearances, and interference affect assembly robustness
Prototyping & Testing
- Before full production, prototype special parts to validate performance under real conditions
- Test for retention, torque, fatigue, thermal cycling, and wear
- Adjust features (geometry, material, finish) based on test outcomes
Manufacturing & Installation Guidelines
- Use appropriate tooling to maintain precision and avoid deforming spring steel elements
- If the special part is to be installed in plastic or sheet components, the insertion method (press, clip, thermal, etc.) must match the part’s features
- Assembly force must be controlled; avoid shock or misalignment during installation
- If the special part interacts with moving parts, ensure tolerances and clearances are sufficient to avoid interference or wear
Recommended Installation Torque
