Metal springs are small but tough components that make mechanisms work properly. When a metal spring isn’t well-manufactured, its failure can create a catastrophe for a machine or production facility.
How strong and durable are your metal springs? Can they withstand extended periods of repetitive motion? Do they allow easy ergonomic handling? Do they ensure maximum production uptime?
At Atlantic Precision Spring Inc., metal spring quality is our highest priority. We know springs must be so reliable, even an extremely demanding medical device manufacturer or aerospace innovator can depend on them to stay strong.
Below are three types of metal springs we often recommend for a variety of uses. We’ll also take a look at how to evaluate important factors in choosing the right springs.
Three Types of Top-Quality Metal Springs
Compression springs resist axial compressive force, meaning they’re extremely strong even under the harshest compression conditions. They come in four main forms: closed, closed and ground, open, and open and ground.
A compression spring can be produced in virtually any size or length, which means there are almost endless options for producing exactly the right spring for a certain use. Our clients typically request conical, cylindrical, or hourglass-shaped metal springs, or a special combination of these shapes.
Small leaf springs are a special type of spring that maintains a tiny but essential connection within a device. They’re typically used to maintain consistent surface-to-surface contact, like the contact between a battery and a device where having a secure terminal connection is a must.
It’s important to note that the prototype and production process for a small leaf spring is extremely important because these springs must be carefully designed and manufactured without any defects. Otherwise, poorly-made springs can allow improper connections that risk harm to people and products.
Flat metal leaf springs are long, narrow springs that are usually found in extremely specialized equipment. For example, they’re commonly used in the naval, aerospace, and automotive industries, where machine specs are precise and long-term quality and reliability are top concerns.
Most flat springs come in either carbon steel or stainless steel. A stainless steel flat metal leaf spring is one of the strongest springs available, with excellent hardness and heat resistance.
How to Choose the Ideal Metal Spring
Most manufacturing facility managers have a basic idea of the type of spring required to meet production needs. However, to ensure you’re always sourcing the best-quality springs that are ideal for your needs, look at the following factors:
- Evaluate whether the vendor supports your industry
- Consider production/manufacturing facility conditions
- Estimate the frequency and intensity of metal spring use
- Assess pressures, forces, compression, heat, and friction
- Analyze the need for precision
- Determine if you need specialty machinery
- Estimate the end of life point
- Examine ergonomic factors
Don’t overlook ergonomic considerations. Metal springs must be thoughtfully matched between machines and the people who use them. A spring with improper tension creates an unnecessary risk of machine failure and bodily injury.
If the metal spring will be placed under compression pressure in high-temperature conditions, you’ll need something that has extreme heat resistance while resisting axial forces. This could be a compression spring made of high-quality stainless steel, although the ideal selection would depend on your exact needs and circumstances.
Another example would be powerful batteries for military use that employ electrical contacts. Military manufacturing facilities must maintain the strictest standards for ongoing inspection and regulatory compliance. Many industries that use metal springs are highly regulated, like the medical, nautical, aerospace, automotive, and industrial gas industries.
In addition, these highly-specialized fields often need springs made from specific metals that meet production specs for strength, durability, and so forth. Our Metal Stamping Materials Guide has more information as well.
Atlantic Precision Spring Inc. provides all of the following metals:
- Aluminum
- Beryllium copper
- Brass
- High carbon steel
- Low carbon steel
- Nickel
- Phosphor bronze
- Stainless steel
With all of these factors in mind, the best way to select the perfect spring is to connect with the experts at Atlantic Precision Spring Inc. We have decades of experience helping a wide variety of manufacturers choose the ideal metal springs for durability, affordability, quality, and custom jobs.
Atlantic Precision Spring is a proud US spring manufacturer that provides flat springs, compression springs, small leaf springs, and much more using state-of-the-art metal spring production technology. Contact us for more information about choosing the right metal springs for your needs.