A compression springs and miniature compression springs manufacturers directory including nested compression springs, custom compression springs, spring compression, spring compression testing, and compression spring design. 

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About Compression Springs

Compression springs are open-coil helical springs and are the most common type of spring used and manufactured. A compression spring is designed to resist compression along the axis of wind, which can be right- or left-handed. This pressure is exerted from either one or both of its ends. Compression springs store energy as compression is applied. The diameter of compression springs can vary according to desired resistance. The diameter can vary within an individual compression spring as well, such as in hourglass, conical and barrel compression springs. The spacing of the coils (pitch) can be varied and customized too, in order to provide even more exact resistance. Typically, compression springs are placed over a rod or fitted inside of a hole.

Compression springs are generally made out of spring steel, which is a standard industrial grade steel with good elastic and return properties. Compression springs are also commonly made of high carbon steel wire, alloy steel, nickel base alloy wire or brass. Music wire is an inexpensive high-carbon steel alloy that is quite often used to make compression springs. Stainless steel is also a popular choice for compression springs, as it has good corrosion resistance. Compression springs can be made from exotic alloys as well to meet special requirements of applications. These alloys include beryllium copper, beryllium nickel, niobium, tantalum and titanium.

Compression springs are used in just about every industry and craft trade sector. They are widely used in automotive engines and large stamping presses. Other applications include lawn mowers, medical devices, cell phones, electronics and sensitive instrumentation devices. Cone-shaped compression springs are typically utilized in applications in which low solid height and increased resistance to surging are required. Die springs are used in dies, clutches, brakes, farm machinery and aircraft mechanisms. Compression springs are one of the best energy storage devices known to the engineering world.

When ordering compression springs, it is necessary to know the dimensions, including the outer and inner diameters, the wire diameter, the free length and the solid height. The free length is the total length of the spring when it is not under a load. The solid height refers to the length of the spring when it is under enough compression to force all the coils to touch. Spring manufacturers also will want to know the number of coils and the finish desired. What will the cycle rate be (per second or minute)? Finally, specify the configuration of the compression spring ends.

Image Provided by HyTech Spring and Machine

Featured Articles

“Design Considerations of Compression Springs”
http://www.sonnax.com/bulletins/tech/TS-MS-1299.pdf

“Dynamic Response of Compressor Valve Springs to Impact Loading”
http://www.dresser-rand.com/e-tech/PDF%20Files/tp003.pdf

Image Provided by Patrick Manufacturing, Inc.

Types

• Belleville washers are flat metal doughnuts whose insides are higher than the outsides. While not a coiled spring, mounting a bunch of belleville washers together forms a very strong spring.
  
• Clock springs, also known as “power,” “motor” or “flat coil springs,” are made from wide, flat stock and are used in clocks, retractor reels and other machinery. Clock springs are coiled up like the shell of a snail and have the ability to store great amounts of rotational energy.
  
• Coil springs are made by wrapping wire around a cylinder in a helical pattern. Coil springs are the most standard type and shape of spring.
  
• Conical compression springs have a cone-shaped design that provides a solid height that is lower than a regular spring. Conical compression springs also provide near constant spring rate.
  
• Constant force springs are a special variety of extension springs that are well-suited for long extensions with no load build-up.
  
• Die springs are a form of compression springs that are engineered to give predetermined pressure at a given compression reliably and consistently.
  
• Extension springs are closed coiled helical springs that are resistant to a pulling force.
  
• Flat springs include a wide range of springs manufactured from flat strip material which, on being deflected by an external load, will store and then release energy.
  
• Garter springs are either helical extension or compression springs that are typically used in oil seals. The ends of garter springs are connected so that each spring becomes a circle and exerts radial forces.
  
• Gas springs provide controlled motion and speed for elements that open and close, such as lids and doors. There is normally a gas, such as nitrogen, in the chamber to provide absorption.
  
• Helical springs, also called “spiral springs,” are the most common type of spring and can be used in torsion, tension, extension or compression.
  
• Leaf springs, also called “semi-elliptical” or “cart springs,” have a slender arc-shaped form. Leaf springs are a simple form of spring that is used mostly in heavy vehicles, such as vans, trucks and railway carriages.
  
• Parabolic leaf springs have fewer leaves whose thicknesses vary from the center to the ends of the spring, following a parabolic curve. Contact between the coils is made only at the ends and at the center.
  
• Power springs, also called “clock” or “motor springs,” store and release rotational energy in the form of torque.
  
• Spiral springs, also referred to as “spiral torsion” or “brush springs,” operate without any contact between the coils.
  
• Torsion springs exert pressure along a path which is a circular arc, providing torque. The wire itself is twisted when the spring is compressed or stretched.