In order to design the right spring for your project, many factors come into play. One of the most important things that affects the spring’s design is its usage and expected stress. Stress and stress range govern the life of a spring, making spring stress a determining factor in your spring’s safety, durability, and lifespan.
The stresses of the spring are determined by its dimensions, as well as the load and deflection requirements. When a compression spring is loaded, the stress is greatest on the surface of the wire. A spring subjected to a static load will experience a lower stress range, thus allowing for the spring to be designed with relatively high stresses. Conversely, The wider the stress range, the maximum stress must be lower to improve efficiency and comparable life.
When designing springs, compression springs need to be stress relieved to eliminate any residual bending stresses produced by the manufacturing process. To stress relieve is to subject springs to low-temperature heat treatment to relieve those residual stresses. Any time steel is formed, it produces certain types of stresses in the formed shape.
These stresses are present because the metal is being pulled apart at one surface and pushed together at another. The material is in an “unrelaxed” state and this can promote early breakage at the form or bend. Stress relieving in an appropriate temperature will relax the steel and make it more cooperative at maintaining the shape into which it has been formed.
Design stress is the force divided by the area over which it acts, and it is one tool used by Mid-West Spring and Stamping to determine if a design is safe. Whatever your application needs, allow Mid-West Spring and Stamping to help find the right spring for the job. As a premier custom springs manufacturer, we craft compression springs in a variety of compression types, shapes, and materials to your individual specifications.
Mid-West Spring and Stamping is committed to creating more value for our customers with fewer resources through continuous improvement and the elimination of waste. Join the multitudes of customers that rely on us to optimize the fit, form, and function for their desired outcomes at a competitive cost. Request a quote today, or call us at 800-424-0244.