Compression springs are helical springs with an open-coil configuration designed to store energy or to resist a compression force applied along the axis of the coil. Compression springs are often installed over a rod or inside a hole to reduce buckling.  The most common form of compression spring is a straight cylindrical coil spring with the ends squared (closed), and a common example is a ball point pen spring. Listed are a few variations of the standard compression spring.

Various body shapes

• Straight body
• Conical body
• Tapered body
• Hourglass body

Pitch options

• Continuous pitch
• Variable pitch

Coil ends

• Closed
• Closed and ground
• Open
• Open and ground

 

Suspension Springs

Suspension springs are found in many motor vehicles. They can be mounted over a gas shock absorber, having continues pitch, variable pitch/rate, and are typically squared and ground on the ends. Western Spring manufactures aftermarket and OEM suspension springs for the recreational vehicle markets.

 

Shot Peening

Shot peening is bombarding springs with millions of tiny metal spheres called media. The purpose of the shot peening is to help the spring materials fatigue life.  Shot peened springs are proven to have a longer cycle life than those un-peened. Shot peening is done in-house at Western Spring.  For a video demonstration of what shot peening actually does to metals click on this link:Video Clip

Set To Solid Operation

Depending on the spring design some compression springs are prone to losing length. If the spring application is length critical a set to solid operation must be preformed to adjust to “set” length. At Western Spring we have the capabilities to set to solid any size compression springs.

Tight Spring Indexes

Spring index is the wire diameter divided by mean coil diameter.  Indexes under 4:1 and over 12:1 become a little difficult for most companies to manufacture.  Western Spring has special tooling set-ups to make tight index coiling possible and minimize the risk of tooling breakage.

Nested Compression Springs

When space limitations are a factor, two or three nested compression springs are designed to handle the load requirements.  Inner and outer springs are always coiled opposite hand winds to eliminate the chances of interlocking.

Die Springs

Die springs are typically used in punch press die sets to return or absorb tooling. They are popular because the fact that there solid height is going to be less than the comparable round wire spring.  Western spring has capabilities of coiling square and rectangular wire for most applications.  Often times customers opt to convert the same die spring load specs to round wire chrome silicon springs for the overall cost savings.

Hot-Coiled Springs.

Typically hot-coiled springs are made with wire diameters of .625” to 3”.  Most hot-coiled coil springs are made from bar stock of carbon or alloy steel.  Springs are wound while material is red hot as the name suggests. The finished hardness requirement for most hot coiled custom springs is in the range of Rockwell C 44-49.  Springs must be designed properly to maximize service life.

Oil Coatings

Finished products sometimes have a specification for an oil coating to protect the surface.  Especially if the springs are shot peened they need an oil coating or powder coat to combat surface rust.

Auger/Spiral Springs

Auger springs are helical and require pitch with often times having open ends.  Augers are designed to move product whether it be grain elevator or candy bars in a vending machine. Another form of spiral spring is a multi-filar coil that has a rotatable filar in the center. Filar coils can be made from wire as small as .008”. Western Spring has the capabilities to manufacture shaped and round stock.

Grinding Operations

Grinding is preformed simply to square the ends up so the spring sits perpendicular to the base.  Grinding also helps out with buckling issues. Western Spring is equipped with grinding capabilities to efficiently grind one to one million springs of all sizes.

Strain Reliefs

Strain reliefs are commonly used on electrical wires and hoses to prevent strain stresses on the ends of the assembly.  Strain relief products typically have variable pitch between the coils with ends that are closed and un-ground.  Wire sizes can be as small as .008” out of any alloy, cleaned, painted, or plated to your specification.