Explain the process and necessity of 'Pre-setting' wave springs during the manufacturing stage.

Pre-setting, or 'removing the set,' involves compressing the wave spring to its solid height (or a height lower than its operating height) during manufacturing. This process intentionally exceeds the elastic limit of the material at the highest-stress locations (wave peaks). This induces beneficial residual stresses in the opposite direction of the service load. For a carbon steel spring (SAE 1070), pre-setting increases the apparent yield strength and allows the spring to operate at higher loads without further plastic deformation (relaxation) during service. Without pre-setting, a spring might lose 5-10% of its free height upon its first compression in the field, leading to a loss of critical preload in the assembly.