Description
An extension or compression spring’s rate is expressed in units of force divided by distance, for example lbf/in or N/m. A torsion spring is a spring that works by twisting; when it is twisted about its axis by an angle, it produces a torque proportional to the angle. A torsion spring’s rate is in units of torque divided by angle, such as N·m/rad or ft·lbf/degree. The inverse of spring rate is compliance, that is: if a spring has a rate of 10 N/mm, it has a compliance of 0.1 mm/N. The stiffness (or rate) of springs in parallel is additive, as is the compliance of springs in series.
Springs are made from a variety of elastic materials, the most common being spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication. Some non-ferrous metals are also used including phosphor bronze and titanium for parts requiring corrosion resistance and beryllium copper for springs carrying electrical current (because of its low electrical resistance).
Spring Measurements and Specifications
Follow the guidelines below for the type of spring you have to determine your springs measurements and spring specifications.
How to measure Compression Springs, Coil Springs and Helical Springs (These spring types are all the same)
You will need to know the four (4) spring specifications below:
1. Wire diameter
2. Outer diameter
3. Free Length (length of spring)
4. Number of total coils
Also please choose the Spring End Type you desire:
Closed and Squared Ends
The last coil is closed touching the previous coil closed and squared ends is the most economical of all end types and works well for standing up normal size springs. Closed and squared ends do NOT work well if you have a spring with a small outer diameter you should choose closed and ground ends so it will stand up vertically straight.
Closed and Squared Ends
Closed and Ground Ends
The last coil is closed and ground flat touching with the previous coil. Closed and ground ends help the spring stand up vertically straight. This type of end lets your spring stand up straight and gives an even surface of contact to the spring base. A good choice for precision springs though a bit more costly than closed and squared ends because additional labor needs to be performed to grind the ends of the spring flat.
Closed & Ground Ends
Double Closed Ends
The last two coils on each end are closed to help stabilize the top and bottom of the spring. Double closed ends aids your springs footing especially when you have a large outer diameter coupled with a fine or smaller diameter wire when compressing or traveling to stacked height where all the coils are touching. Double closed ends help your spring ends from sliding over or slipping under the previous coil, it keeps the coils stacked up on top of each other correctly.
This is an great economical choice to prevent buckling and stabilizes your spring.
Double Closed Ends
Open Ends
The ends of the spring are open and have space or pitch in-between them. This is a good option if you need more force out of your spring but don’t have the room for it. An open ended spring makes all of your coils active thus getting the all the force out it. This kind of spring end requires that you place it in hole or on a shaft to make it work. Their is usually no extra cost for this type of end thus making it an economical choice.
Open Ends
To measure your Helical Springs Rate or Spring Constant use our Spring Calculator here.
How to Measure Compression Springs Video
How to measure Extension Springs and Tension Springs
You will need to know the following extension spring measurements:
1. Wire Diameter 2. Outer Diameter 3. Length inside Hook 4. Body Length 5. Choose your hook type below:
Choose from the different hook types below:
Machine Hook
A good standard hook choice for commercial springs. This hook is made from the end coils on the spring by bending it out to create this hook. Machine hooks should not be stretched over their limit to avoid breakage.
Machine hooks
Cross Over Center Hook
A great standard hook choice for precision springs and commercial springs. This type of hook is made from the end coils of the spring but is bent straight down the center of the spring, it then loops around to create the round hook. This is a more stable hook than the machine hook for the same price.
Crossover center hooks
Side Hooks
The most economical of all hooks is the side hook.
This hook is made from the end coils. It is bent outwards from the side of the spring to create the side hooks. This is a good hook for an commercial or everyday spring which doesn’t have to be precise.
Side hooks
No Hooks
This type of no hook spring is very useful when inserting a bolt down through the inner diameter so to anchor the spring ends. The ends of the spring act as threading onto the threads of the bolt thus securing the ends. This type of fastening or connecting has tremendous benefits especially when dealing with broken hooks that cause a user to purchase extension springs repeatedly.
Fastening the spring to a bolt or a thread offers superior strength versus any other hook type and is the most economical to manufacture.
No hooks
Extended Hooks
This is a good hook that is used when having to get around an object to engage the hook too. It offers the user a way to get the hooks fastened by extending the length of the hook to reach into the area where one will attached the hook. Extended hooks can be made with larger or smaller diameters than the extension springs normal outer body diameter. This type of hook is the most costly but can really make the difference when installing an extension spring where no other hook will work.
Extended hooks
To measure your Extension Springs Rate or Extension Spring Constant use our extension spring calculator here.
How to Measure Extension Springs Video
How to measure Torsion Springs:
To Measure your Torsion Springs correctly you need to know the following torsion spring dimensions:
1. Choose your direction of wind: Left hand or right handPlease see diagram to the right to determine if your spring is Left hand or Right hand.
2. Wire diameter
3. Outer diameter
4. Number of total coils
5. Length of leg 1
6. Length of leg 2
If your spring has any bends or shapes on the legs please let us know.
To measure your Torsion Springs Rate or Torsion Spring Constant use our torsion spring calculator here.
