Understanding Springs – Compression Springs
Helical compression springs are designed and used to resist applied compressive forces or to store energy in the push mode. Compression springs are the most common spring and are found in many applications such as the automobile, aerospace and consumer goods.
STRAIGHT CYLINDRICAL COMPRESSION SPRINGS
The most widely used form of compression spring is the straight cylindrical spring made from round wire; however, shaped wire may be used, such as square or rectangular. Many other forms are produced. Conical, barrel, hourglass or straight cylindrical with or without variable spacing between coils are available. Such configurations are used to reduce solid height, buckling and surging, or to produce nonlinear load deflection characteristics.
Variable Pitch Compression Spring
You’ll notice that with this type of compression spring, some of its coils are closer together compared with its other sections.
Hourglass Compression Spring
On the contrary, this compression spring has a smaller diameter at the centre compared to its end.
Barrel Compression Spring
It’s shaped like a barrel with its diameter larger compared to its end.
Spring Washer Compression Spring
This is flat and is used to promote even distribution between parts. It is also used to seal joints.
Round or Rectangular Wire: Which is for You?
Energy storage is greater for round wire compression springs than for rectangular wire compression springs and can be increased by nesting. Rectangular wire is used to reduce solid height or increase the space efficiency of the design. Most die springs are made from rectangular wire for this reason. It should also be noted that most compression springs have closed and ground ends, although there are other end configurations available depending on the particular application.
In applications where space is limited and particularly where solid height is restricted, springs designed from rectangular wire are often used. These springs are commonly referred to as die springs. Die springs store more energy in a smaller space than equivalent round-wire springs. Even though stress distribution around the rectangular cross section is not as uniform as the round wire section, the energy storage capacity is higher because more material can be incorporated into the allocated space
Understanding Your Compression Spring
If you have a compression spring sample, here’s how to measure it. This will help you effectively communicate with our team.
At Auspring, we deliver high quality compression springs. We have a large range of stock springs for sale online. These are ready-made for shipment, and are ready to work for you! Visit our Red-e-Spring range via our online shop and discover a spring to suit your application.
Do you need it to be customised? We can also do it for you. Let’s talk. Lodge an online enquiry, email us at sales@auspringindustries.com, or call us on 1300 789 698.