Compression Spring Manufacturers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Industries do we manufacture compressions springs for?

Our compression springs are used in a variety of applications and industries, including:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Medical
• Industrial machinery
• Consumer products
• Electronics
• Others

Please get in touch to find out how we have helped others in your industry and to find out what we can do for you.

What are compressions springs?

A compression spring is an open-coil helical spring that offers resistance to a compressive force applied axially. They are the most common spring configuration and are one of the most efficient energy storage devices around.

When you apply pressure to a compression spring, making it shorter, it pushes back against the load, trying to get back into its original length.

These types of springs are found in several different industries, as well as everyday objects. Some of these include valves, railways, turbines, wheelchairs, engines, toys and electronics – their popularity is due to how versatile they are since compression springs can come in a range of different body sizes, diameters and pitches, depending on their application.

From the paper industry to the offshore oil and gas sector, as well as the medical industry, these springs can be found everywhere. Other common uses for compression springs include shock absorbers in pacemakers and mobile phones.

What's the difference between compression and torsion springs?

Two of our most popular springs are compression and torsion. They can be used in a variety of applications and have their own distinctive features and benefits.

Compression springs are open-coil helical springs that offer resistance when a force is applied axially. They are one of the most common types of springs, as well as the most efficient when it comes to storing energy. When pressure is applied to a compression spring, it becomes shorter and pushes back against the load, as it tries to regain its original length.

Torsion springs are also a type of coiled spring. They are usually chosen when there’s a need for angular movement with the legs of the spring attached to other components. As those components rotate around the centre of the spring, it attempts to push them back to their original position. For a torsion spring to have a good design, it needs to be used in the direction that winds the coil.

 

How Are Compression Springs Designed?

We take spring design very seriously, as we aim to ensure that our springs are always of the highest possible quality. When it comes to designing these kind of springs, we need to consider several elements, such as the spring material, the spring wire diameter, the diameter of the spring itself, the length of the spring, the number of coils, the type of spring end (not closed, closed but not ground, or closed and ground), and direction of wind (left-hand or right-hand).

We understand that the design of a spring will depend on its intended function. We will determine parameters such as wire diameter, free length and spring rate on a case-by-case basis.

What Are the Materials Used?

Springs are used in many different sectors, so they will have to withstand the conditions of the environment they’re placed in. For example, springs used in oil rigs need to not only be able to withstand normal wear and tear but also be resistant to corrosion. Springs need to be able to bend but not break and release stored energy when required, all of which will depend on several factors, including the materials used to manufacture the springs.

At Airedale Springs, some of the materials we use include:

• High carbon steels – Suitable for both lower and higher stress applications, due to their tensile strength.
• Stainless steels – Ideal for environments where a high degree of corrosion and heat resistance is a concern.
• Alloy steels – Chrome vanadium and chrome silicon are alloy steels ideal for chock loads, like engine valve springs.
• Non-ferrous alloys – For applications where springs need to resist high temperatures and corrosion, as well as have great electrical conductivity, cold-drawn copper alloys are the best solution.
• Hot temperature alloys – Materials such as nickel and chromium alloys are perfect for applications that require good resistance to corrosion at high temperatures.

How Many Cycles Do Compression Springs Last For?

While it’s impossible to say for sure how long the lifespan of a compression spring is, there are several factors that can contribute to a longer – or shorter – life cycle, since they impact the service life of the spring in one way or another. For example, it’s important to consider the environment where the spring will be placed in; the less corrosive or hot, the more a spring will last.

Other factors include whether the spring will operate with an uneven load, the surface treatment of the spring, its compression speed, if there is any wear and tear as the spring touches other objects, and whether it’s a hot- or cold-wound spring.

Unsure About What Compression Spring You Need?

We have an array of clients who come to Airedale Springs with a specific purpose in mind; we strive to work within their requirements, working with them to determine the size and specifications that their needs necessitate.

However, if you know the precise measurements and design of the springs you need, we will verify your design to optimise manufacture and work with you to meet your delivery requirements.

Want to Learn More?

Having decades of experience in creating compression springs, tension springs, various wire forms, and an array of other spring types, we are equipped to achieve your desired result when it comes to product specifications.

As specialist spring manufacturers, we operate state-of-the-art CNC equipment which can manufacture an extensive range of compression springs, with forces and finishes to meet the needs of our customers.

If you would like to find out more about our design assistance, sampling process or the manufacture of the spring for you, please don’t hesitate to call our team on 01535 643 456.

What Types of Compression Springs Do You Manufacture?

Conical Compression Springs

Also known as tapered springs, conical compression springs are manufactured by Airedale for a variety of customers in various industries.

Under compression, the smaller coils in a conical spring fit inside the gradually increasing coil diameters of the coils further down the spring. This allows them to compress into a very flat shape.

They are often used for battery connectors due to the increased stability of the spring coil shape.

Cylindrical Compression Springs

Airedale can manufacture your more typical cylindrical compression springs from wire diameters ranging from 0.15mm to 8.00m. Custom compression springs can have their ends ground, closed or open, depending on your requirements.

UK-Leading Compression Spring Capabilities

No matter what type or shape of compression spring you need, here at Airedale with our state-of-the-art CNC machines and 3D prototyping capabilities, we can manufacture the spring design you require.