Feature

A brief guide to spring design

Whether selecting a catalogue spring or specifying a custom item Chris Petts, M.D. at Lee Spring suggests that it is always worth considering the following factors:

03/05/2019 11:39:41

Principles of spring design

Hooke’s Law is a principle of spring design relating to Load and Deflection. It states that a restoring force due to a spring is proportional to the distance the spring is deflected and acts in the opposite direction. Another principle of spring design is Spring Rate (R), which is the ratio of force per unit of deflection.

Spring design elements

Direction of Wind – A coil spring can be wound in a left hand or right-hand direction, in the same way as a screw thread. The direction of wind, therefore, is a primary element of spring design. This can be particularly important depending on how the spring will be used. For instance, when one spring is required to operate within another spring, the springs should be designed to wind in opposite directions to avoid them becoming wound together. Or if the spring is to be screwed onto a threaded component it must follow the same thread direction.

Read the full article in the May issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.