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Spring Deflection

If you work with springs in your business, and you are at all involved with purchasing them, it’s important that you understand the different properties of various springs. All springs are not the same, and understanding them is critical in finding the right springs for your industry purposes — especially when it comes to spring deflection.

What Is Spring Deflection?

Spring deflection is how a spring responds when force is applied or released. For example, if a compression spring compresses one inch for every 200 pounds of load applied to it, its deflection rate is 200 lbs. per inch.

The spring deflection formula for determining the deflection a particular spring will experience when a load is applied is load divided by rate (D = L/R). That is, whatever load you are applying to the spring divided by the spring’s rate of deflection will produce the amount of deflection that will occur. This formula is also represented by Hooke’s Law as F=ke, where F is the force, or load, applied, k is the spring constant and e is the spring deflection.

The deflection limit definition for the load on a linear spring is the rate times the length of the spring. For a 12-inch spring with a 200 lbs/inch rate of deflection, you would have a deflection limit of 2,400 lbs. Different types of springs may have different spring deflection qualities.

Spring Deflection for Torsion Springs

While compression springs store energy when compressed and release them when extended, and extension springs do the reverse, storing energy when extended and releasing when compressed, torsion springs work a little differently. These springs store and release energy in response to applied torque, so they collect potential energy when wound and release it when unwound. For this reason, the critical measurement you will want to be aware of is the maximum torsion spring deflection angle, which is how much angular deflection the spring can withstand before being overstressed.

Spring Deflection for Compression Springs

Ordinary compression springs have a linear deflection rate, meaning a given amount of weight deflects an inch of the spring all across the spring. Differently shaped compression springs, such as conical compression springs, can have a variable deflection rate, meaning that at different points in the spring, the amount of force required for deflection can change. It is important to be aware of this when using variable compression springs.

IDC Spring Can Help You With All Your Mechanical Spring Needs

If this breakdown of spring deflection seems a bit confusing, don’t worry. IDC Spring can help. Our spring experts know all about every different type of mechanical spring and their deflection rates, as well as what deflection rates and types of deflection rates are appropriate for different applications.

If you need more information on spring deflection, feel free to get in touch with us to speak to one of our spring professionals. If you know what type of springs you need, just let us know. We will provide you with a free quote. Contact us today!