Springs are identical mechanical parts for various components. They are heavily employed in watches, automobiles, and smartphones. There are many types of springs, and all vary in their properties, which makes it difficult to choose the right one. Dans cet article, we will discuss common spring types, their uses, the material they made, and mechanical spring failure.
Spring Principle Explained By Hook’s Law
Springs are mechanical parts, well capable of storing energy. They store energy upon loading and release it when the load is removed. This is a basic act of all spring varieties and it is characterized by Hooke’s Law.
According to Hooke’s Law.
The force needed to either compress or extend the spring varies in direct relation to displacement. Mathematically, it is represented as:
F=−kX
In this equation:
- F = Force applied
- X = Spring Displacement/Restoring force, negative to the displacement.
- k = Spring Constant; it depends on the spring nature, and informs of a variable that measures the spring’s springiness.
Types of Mechanical Springs
Springs are applied in many industries and fields. They are made from many materials and many have shapes, different from normally created objects. Springs are mainly characterized into three main types;
Category 01: Helical Springs
Helical springs are made by coiling the wire in a helical manner so that the cross sections may be varied. The main types of helical springs include:
- Compression Springs: Open coil springs are used in compression without axial loads. It means the coil design diameter does not change with load. These springs are used in ballpoint pens where the ‘click’ action is housed and in automobile settings where shocks are being absorbed.
- Extension Springs: Extension springs are closed coils that store tension when extended and return to their original shape when released. They are commonly used in pull-type arrangements including garage doors and weight barges where they work by stretching to measure weight.
- Torsion Springs: Torsion springs connect two components at specific angles. They typically function by twisting. They are used when twisted and when released they regain their natural state whereby they release energy. CNC machining is an ideal approach to shaping custom torsion springs for bulk volume use.
- Spiral Springs: Spiral springs are built from rectangular metal strips. They are capable of storing energy and then releasing it uniformly. These springs are vitally employed in mechanical watches, jouets, and movements such as seat recliners which offer a specific kind of motion.
Category 02: Leaf Springs
A leaf spring features a rectangular cross-section. These springs are composed of metal plates known as leaves, superimposed on one another. These springs are normally used in big automobiles. Some common types are mentioned below:
- Elliptical Leaf Spring: They consist of two semi-elliptical springs in phased opposition to one another to form an elliptical shape. Initialement, they were used in cars to replace shackles but have been replaced in most modern cars.
- Semi-Elliptical Leaf Spring: These are typically used in cars. Steel leaves of different sizes are attached to one end of the vehicle frame, with the largest being called the master leaf. These springs are very efficient in providing soft landing during off-road operations. En outre, they are renowned for their simplicity in maintenance and high-end durability.
- Quarter Ellipse Elliptical Leaf Spring: Quarter elliptical types or cantilever-type springs have one end anchored to the vehicle frame and the other end to the front axle. This design makes the leaves gape under shock loads and the leaflets act like levers to dissipate the shock.
- Three-quarter Elliptical Leaf Spring: This spring type combines both quarter elliptical and semi-elliptical features. The semi-elliptical part is fixed to the vehicle structure and the quarter of the elliptical section is fixed to the front axle for better stability.
- Transverse Leaf Spring: Side springs are positioned on the sides. While longitudinal springs run along the length of the vehicle. The longest leaf lays at the bottom, and two shackles are added to the design. As effective as this setup may be, it results in undesirable rolling in some automotive applications.
Category 03: Disk Springs
Disk springs are also known as washer springs. They can be used individually or in series or parallel configurations. It’s possible to lift large weights with these systems in limited areas. Below are the primary types of disk springs:
- Belleville Disk Spring: Conical disk springs, also known as Belleville springs, offer spring action when a load is applied. Their design makes them optimum for bearing substantial loads. They are comparatively small in size.
- Curved Disk Spring: Sometimes called crescent washers. The curved disk springs have low pressure that will not cause the fastener to loosen due to vibrations. They effectively disperse loads in bolts, des vis, and nuts, particularly in vibrating equipment.
- Slotted Disk Spring: It entails slots around the inner, and outer edges. It’s possible to achieve low load-carrying capacity with high deflection in gears, automatic transmission, and clutches by exploiting these springs.
Functions of Springs
Springs have a significant application in different industrial products. Here are the following functions of springs as well as uses:
Shock Absorbing Properties
Springs are capable of receiving and expanding or contracting by the application of force. This capability enables them to manage risks well. Par exemple, in automobiles, springs reduce the impact force each time a car hits a bump and then release stored energy slowly.
Energy Storage and Output
Springs also perform a critical role in mechanical energy storage. They can store and discharge energy steadily and as such are valuable in replacing batteries in some appliances. The intended application is well illustrated by mechanical watches and gun bolts.
Movement Control
Springs can control the transportation of distinct parts. These applications are found in many industries such as garages, portes, weighing machines, internal combustion engine valves, and clutch control systems.
Vibration Damping
Springs are invaluable tools for reducing vibrations. Donc, they help improve the stability of products in resonance areas. They are functional in use such as in auto suspensions and train cars where ripples must be well tackled.
Material Types Employed in Spring Making
| Matériel | Unique Features |
| Low-Alloy Steel | High-temperature resistance; strong and durable. |
| Cold Drawn Wire | Increased tensile strength; better heat tolerance. |
| Oil Tempered Wire | Fatigue resistant; withstands heat and deformation. |
| Bainite Hardened Strip | Very strong; excellent fatigue resistance. |
| Acier inoxydable | Corrosion resistant; high yield strength. |
| Copper and Titanium Alloys | Durable; bonne résistance à la corrosion. |
General Production Techniques of Springs
Springs can be produced using various methods, including winding, traitement thermique, affûtage, enrobage, and finishing. En plus, they may vary depending on the types of springs, but the overall concept remains clear.
1. Winding
In this initial step, operators feed spring wire into a CNC machine. Next, the wire is twisted into the desired formation, depending on the specification required of the wire. Several methods are used during this stage:
- Coiling: Coiling uses spring coilers or Computer Numerical Controlled machines to obtain set coils. The process is used commonly in compression, extension, and torsion springs.
- Formant: During the forming process, CNC spring formers are used to create various designs with multiple bends and radii. Généralement, It applies to extension and torsion spring designs.
- Pliant: Bending employs computer-controlled wire benders to put the wire into different forms. This process is often applied in the manufacture of wire forms.
2. Heat Treating
Le heat-treating enables the springs to assume a different shape under stress than it is intended to be. Each of them is based on material quantity, type to be sterilized, température, and duration required for that material.
3. Affûtage
Grinding the ends of springs flat is essential. This allows the spring to stand upright when placed vertically or in other positions. It also helps facilitate its function.
4. Coating and Finishing
Coating and finishing are central to enhancing springs’ aesthetic value. Par exemple, electroplating with copper provides excellent conductivity. Meanwhile, powder coating improves the visual appeal of the item. Other surface treatments may include shot peening which is applied to cold worked spring, plating, revêtement en poudre, and anodizing.
Reasons for Spring Failures and their Remedial Measures
These failures can occur in the springtime and lead to damage to the equipment, high maintenance costs, and reduced product reliability. A review of these failures is important to note for prevention purposes: Below are common causes and their corresponding solutions:
1. Incorrect Material Selection
The choice of materials strongly influences the properties of springs. When selecting the materials it’s possible to compromise the characteristics for considered benefits. Failing to do so may lead to issues. Donc, it’s advisable to research different materials before making a choice.
2. Poor Finishing Quality
Coating and anodizing processes such as powder coating increase the performance of springs. Lack of proper application and complete exclusion of these processes exposes springs to corrosion in hostile environments. Donc, Proper finishing is essential for maintaining the integrity of springs.
3. Undefined Operating Temperature
Springs must be suitable for the temperatures at which they will be used. Choosing materials that do not deform at high temperatures is important. Using proper heat treatment is another improvement method. En plus, applying finishes with high thermal stability can enhance performance.
4. Poor Manufacturing Processes
Quality checks during production are crucial. They ensure that springs perform and appear as expected.
Conclusion
Springs are indispensable in products that contain movement. Springs are compressed to store energy and then released during expansion. To choose the right spring type, the knowledge of various types and their characteristics is compulsory. The functionality of each spring depends material type being used, the spring construction, and the assembling mechanism. Consulting experts in spring design will help you make the right decisions for your project!
