Custom Torsion Springs Manufacturer
Torsion springs are helical springs
used to apply a torque or store rotational energy. The two most
common forms of torsion springs are single-bodied and double-bodied
springs. A common example of a single-bodied torsion spring is that
used in a clothes pin.
Torsion springs are most often mounted
on a shaft of arbor as they must be supported at three or more
points. The end configurations (legs) of torsion springs are
numerous and are entirely dependent on the needed application. Legs
can be straight, angled, hooked or many other shapes as required to
secure the ends during rotation.
Torsion springs can be designed to
operate in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction but
whenever possible they should be designed so that the body diameter
decreases when a load is applied to the spring. The Arbor diameter of the spring must
allow for this reduction to avoid interference during loading.
Consideration must also be given to the fact that the torsion
springs body length will increase when loaded.
The double-bodied torsion spring is a
single spring but consists of two sets of coils, one set coiled
right hand and one set coiled left hand. The two sets of coils will
be connected, usually with an unwound section between the coils and
work in parallel.
The body coils of a torsion spring are
usually close wound but can incorporate a pitch (spacing between the
coils) if needed to reduce frictional losses. Rate calculations for
torsion springs must consider friction between adjacent coils as
well as friction between the torsion spring body and the arbor over
which it revolves. Torsion spring loads should be specified at fixed
angular positions, not at a fixed deflection from the free position.
It is important to note - While every spring manufacturer will
have a variety of torsion spring testing equipment and procedures,
there is no "standardized method"
to test loads for torsion springs. (See "Encyclopedia of Spring Design"
published by the Spring Manufacturers Institute)
For assistance download our Torsion Spring Design Sheet
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