Why Mechanical Spring Design Is Important

Mechanical springs come in a range of shapes, sizes and materials. Finding the right one for your needs may seem challenging at first, but paying attention to design properties can clue you in to what you should look for in a spring. We sell a variety of springs to meet your needs. Keep reading to learn more about design considerations for mechanical springs and where different styles work best.

The Importance of Design for a Mechanical Spring

Does mechanical spring design matter? In short, yes. If you pick the wrong type of mechanical spring for your project, you won’t get the results you desire. The right spring will provide long-lasting operation, working with the other components of the tool to create the right look or provide the right service. Without the right spring, you won’t achieve the proper tension levels and may experience malfunctions.

Finding high-quality products is equally important to identifying the right spring — you want to know you can rely on your springs for many years to come. When shopping for springs, you also want to be sure to ask the manufacturer about the types of materials used to create them.

What Type of Spring Design Is Best?

There are four main types of mechanical springs. The best choice for your project depends on how you plan to use the spring. The choices are:

• Torsion springs: Torsion springs create energy through torque, returning the force that is applied to the spring. You can use them by turning them clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the spring. You will often find torsion springs in garage doors, clothespins, clocks or watches.
• Extension springs: We sell three types of configurations of extension springs, which come in clipped, open or double loop-end. They generate tension when they are pulled apart. A great example is extension springs used on trampolines, where the springs are stretched when someone bounces. The weight pulls the springs apart, then they snap back together when the person bounces up off the trampoline. Other uses include exercise equipment and garage doors.
• Compression springs: Compression springs create load by squeezing together. The coiled springs come in many different shapes, including conical and hourglass. You can find them in a range of sizes, too, as well as nested or non-nested. Check to see if coils are right- or left-hand coiled before using. Trampolines and pogo sticks use compression springs, as do some firearms.
• Barrel springs: You can find barrel springs with convex or concave designs. A style of compression spring, these have bigger middles and taper at the top and bottom. They come in telescoping and non-telescoping formats, and either form creates outstanding stability. Bottling procedures often rely on barrel springs, as do some types of furniture and toys. They are also used in vehicles.

In addition to these types of springs, you can also request specialty designs. These are made to order to fit the unique needs of a project.

IDC Spring creates a range of different types of mechanical springs. Whatever your needs, we can engineer springs that match your requirements and provide a long service life. Contact us today to request a quote or ask for more information about our capabilities.