search
Loading...
Compression Springs Compression Springs

Enter your Outside Diameter and Free Length
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outside Diameter
to
Inside Diameter
to
Free Length
to
Wire Diameter
to
Total Coils
to
Rate
to
Material Type
Max. Load
to
Max. Deflection
to
Solid Height
to
*Required Field
Extension Springs Extension Springs

Enter your Outside Diameter and Length Inside Hook
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outside Diameter
to
Length Inside Hook
to
Wire Diameter
to
Max. Load
to
Max. Deflection
to
Initial Tension
to
Rate
to
Material Type
*Required Field
Torsion Springs Torsion Springs

Enter your Outside Diameter and Total Coils
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outside Diameter
to
Inside Diameter
to
Total Coils
to
Free Position
to
Wire Diameter
to
Body Length
to
Max. Torque
to
Max. Deflection
to
Rate
to
Leg Length
to
Material Type
*Required Field
Conical Springs Conical Springs

Enter you Small Outside Diameter, Large Outside Diameter and Free Length
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Small Outside Diameter
to
Large Outside Diameter
to
Free Length
to
Rate
to
Total Coils
to
Solid Height
to
Wire Diameter
to
Material Type
*Required Field

Different Coil Spring Categories and Functions

Springs have revolutionized the way devices work and how we interact with certain products. They have automatized many advanced applications to work adequately with the click of a button or the activation of a switch. Springs form part of many products and they continue to be vital accessories of innovative devices.

 

When you take a first dive into the wonderful word of springs you will be confronted with all sorts of technical things. From measurements and dimensions to rates and equations but before you get bogged down in details, let's go back to the basics and break down the types of springs you need to know about before you even try to sort out the rest of the details. If you are looking to buy a stock spring the first questions to be asked is what type of spring do you need? Whether you are looking for a stock replacement spring or stock springs for prototyping you first need to know the kind of spring you will search for.

How do you know when a spring can be used to assist in a vital function you need?

There are three main categories of springs. The most common type of spring type are compression springs, followed by extension springs and finally torsion springs. All springs can be useful in different cases but the function they carry out determines when and how they can be used. It is important to understand what a spring does in general. Springs are resilient objects made from coiled wire and they store mechanical energy. The type of spring determines through which action they store and release that mechanical energy

 

Different Stock Spring Types

 

Compression Spring Types ExampleCompression Spring Types Example
Extension Spring and Hook ExamplesExtension Spring and Hook Examples
Torsion Spring ExampleTorsion Spring Example

Compression Springs

A compression spring is a mechanical device in the shape of a helix made from spring wire. It is used to store or release energy through the action of compressing. It can also absorb shock or maintain a force between two surfaces.

Compression springs are used in a variety of applications from medical industries to toy manufacturing. If you have ever taken apart a retractable ball point pen, you have seen the compression spring that makes it work. Compression springs absorb energy when the coils are pushed together, applying that force at the ends which are usually affixed on one side to a moveable piece. There are characteristic gaps between the coils, called pitch, that the spring collapses into. The closer these spaces come together, and therefore the lower the pitch becomes, the more force is generated by the spring.

There are different subcategories of compression springs such as: conical springs, barrel springs and hourglass springs.

Extension Springs

Helical extension springs are used in devices where a piece is mobilized by a force and needs to return to its original position when the force is taken off. Its hooks allow for it to grab on to your device’s pieces and be pulled/extended.

Extension springs generate force by pulling the ends of the spring (which normally have hooks), away from each other. The further apart the ends are pulled from one another, the greater the force resisting the pull becomes. There are no gaps between the coils in extension springs, meaning that all the coils touch each other, and when force is applied the coils separate as they are streched away from one another.

The types of hooks on an extension spring can vary. The most common type of hook are machine hooks, the second most common are called cross-over hooks, followed by side hooks and lastly extended hooks tend to be the highest priced type of hooks. Some extension springs can also be made with no hooks and be attached by bolts to the application. You can learn more about this here: Extension Springs Without Hooks

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs also known as torque or twist springs are the least common type but quite helpful in the right cirumstance. These springs eject a rotational or torsional force when a load is placed on one or both legs causing them to travel to a desired distance in degrees of deflection.

Torsion springs generate force, or torque, by twisting the spring in such a way that follows the natural direction of wind in that torsion spring. Therefore if you have a left hand torsion spring, rotating one leg clockwise which holding the other one steady should generate resistance. Likewise, a right handed torsion spring would be rotated counterclockwise to generate resistance. A defining characteristic of torsion springs are the two legs protruding from the body of stacked coils. These legs can vary widely in size and are usually affixed to two surfaces, one mobile, one stationary.

Torsion springs are used in different applications, including common every day uses, such as hamper clips, hair clips, clipboards, etc. Here: Torsion Spring Applications you can find out more about torsion springs and the different industries that they are commonly required in.

If you are looking for a spring that facilitates a lifting motion such as that of heavy trailer doors, then torsion springs are most likely what you are looking for. If this is the case you will want to make sure you can measure and look for a torsion spring with the sizes and dimensions that meet your needs. To learn more about torsion springs and how to select and measure them correctly CLICK HERE

 

In order to determine whether a spring is a good option for the function you want your device to complete, you must first assess what action you require. If you need the spring to release energy stored and create a push back motion you would most likely require a compression spring. If you are looking for a pulling action that extends and retracts you would use an extension spring also known as a tension spring. If what you require is a rotating or radial type of movement, then a torsion spring would tend to be more adequate.

No matter what type of spring you need or are thinking of, our Spring Finder and Spring Creator tools can help you find the ideal spring. If you know what dimension ranges you want and are searching for a spring in stock, use Spring Finder. If you need to create a custom spring, take advantage of our free design tool, Spring Creator, which also provides a list of similar springs in stock and a quote of the custom design you create. Should you need further assistance, you can contact us at: (951) 276-2777 Monday through Thursday, from 7:30am to 5:00pm.