If you are in the manufacturing industry, you are probably familiar with compression springs. These coiled springs are used to resist compressive forces, and they are used in a variety of applications. However, when you need a spring that provides consistent pressure and is manufactured to exacting standards, you need a precision compression spring.
What is a Precision Compression Spring?
A precision compression spring is a coiled spring that is manufactured to exacting standards. These standards include the wire diameter, the coil diameter, the free length, and the overall length. When a spring is manufactured to these standards, it will provide consistent pressure, resist fatigue failure, and have a longer lifespan than a standard compression spring.
Applications of Precision Compression Springs
Precision compression springs are used in a variety of applications where consistent pressure is required. These applications include:
- Aerospace
- Medical Devices
- Robotics
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Defense
In these applications, precision compression springs are used to actuate valves, control pressure, and provide shock absorption.
Materials Used in Precision Compression Springs
Precision compression springs can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- Stainless Steel
- High Carbon Steel
- Alloy Steel
- Titanium
- Inconel
- Phosphor Bronze
- Beryllium Copper
The material used will depend on the application and the environment the spring will be used in. Stainless steel is a common material used in precision compression springs because it is corrosion resistant and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Design Considerations for Precision Compression Springs
When designing a precision compression spring, there are several factors that need to be considered. These factors include:
- Load Requirements: This includes the force required for the spring to compress and the force required to keep the spring compressed.
- Spring Rate: The spring rate is the amount of force required to compress the spring a certain distance.
- Free Length: This is the length of the spring when it is not under load.
- Solid Height: This is the length of the spring when it is fully compressed.
- End Types: The end types of the spring will determine how the spring is installed and how it interacts with the application.
- Wire Diameter: The wire diameter will affect the strength and flexibility of the spring.
Manufacturing of Precision Compression Springs
Precision compression springs are manufactured using a variety of methods, including:
- CNC Coiling: This is a computer-controlled method of coiling the spring wire.
- Grinding: This is a process used to grind the ends of the spring to provide a flat surface for installation.
- Shot Peening: This is a process used to improve the fatigue life of the spring.
- Stress Relieving: This is a process used to remove internal stresses from the spring.
When manufacturing precision compression springs, it is important to use high-quality materials and adhere to strict manufacturing standards. This ensures that the spring will provide consistent pressure and have a longer lifespan.
Benefits of Precision Compression Springs
There are several benefits to using precision compression springs, including:
- Consistent Pressure: Precision compression springs are manufactured to exacting standards, which ensures that they provide consistent pressure over their lifespan.
- Long Lifespan: Because precision compression springs are manufactured to exacting standards and using high-quality materials, they have a longer lifespan than standard compression springs.
- Resistant to Fatigue Failure: Precision compression springs are designed to resist fatigue failure, which means they can withstand repeated use without breaking.
- Customizable: Precision compression springs can be manufactured to exact specifications, which means they can be customized to meet the needs of the application.
Conclusion
Precision compression springs are an essential component in many manufacturing applications. They provide consistent pressure, resist fatigue failure, and have a longer lifespan than standard compression springs. When designing a precision compression spring, it is important to consider the load requirements, spring rate, free length, solid height, end types, and wire diameter. By using high-quality materials and adhering to strict manufacturing standards, precision compression springs can be customized to meet the needs of any application.