An air of celebration coupled with new products to view will make a visit to the Lee Spring stand a slightly different and worthwhile experience at MACH 2008.
Earlier this year new constant force and REDUX™ wave springs were added to Lee Spring’s portfolio of products; increasing its stock spring range to over 15,500 different types of spring. Custom designs in both springs are also available.
Manufactured from high yield 301 stainless steel strip the constant force springs exert a near constant restraining force to resist uncoiling. This natural inbuilt stress resists load at an even rate and makes them suitable for use in retractor mechanisms. Common applications include counterbalance springs, car seat belt and cable retractors.
Constant force springs are usually tightly coiled on a drum and either the free end or the drum can be attached to the load.
Four life cycle ranges are offered: 2500, 4000, 13000 and 25000 covering loads from 1.02 to 73.42N (0.23 to 16.50lb). Lengths vary from 356 to 1524mm (14ins to 60ins; thicknesses from 0.10 to 0.51mm (0.004 to 0.020ins) and widths span the range 6.35 to 31.75mm (0.250 to 1.250ins).
Wave springs perform a similar function to compression springs but they take up to approximately 50% less compressed height space due their sine wave design which allows tangential contact. These springs also offer greater control of axial movement and consistent load transfer.
Produced in stainless steel type 17-7 PH Lee Spring’s REDUX™ wave springs offer optimum performance in static or slightly dynamic applications where space is critical or where radial and axial tolerances are tight.
Stock sizes range from rod sizes of 6.35 to 25.40mm (0.250 to 1.0 ins) to suit hole diameters from 9.53 to 31.75mm (0.375 to 1.250ins) and in spring rates from 1.58 to 52.21N/mm (9.00 to 298lb/in).