How Compression Springs Work

Loads placed on a compression spring compress the coil along its length. As the spring is pushed into a tighter, shorter configuration it resists compression, creating force as it tries to maintain or resume its original longer length. At its shortest, solid height the compression spring is fully loaded.

Compression Spring Applications

Compression springs resist being forced into less space. The spring actually “stores the compressed energy” within the compressed shape. They are the most common spring type and are used in quite a wide variety of applications – from automotive engines, agricultural and construction equipment to major household appliances. Smaller and microfine compression springs are used in electronics manufacturing and micro-fine and ultra-fine sizes are used in medical, dental and surgical devices and instrumentation manufacturing.

Compression Springs

manufactured by Spiros Industries, USA

WIRE SHAPE – A round wire cross-section is the most common type of wire used for Compression Springs. However, in situations with unusually tight size restraints, a wire with a square or rectangular cross-section can be used to attain the smallest possible solid height.

END SHAPE – Spring ends can be open or closed, ground or unground. The type of end used affects many characteristics of the spring and should be as carefully chosen as other attributes. Ends that are closed and ground offer greater squareness, a quality which influences the springs ability to transfer force to the rest of the mechanism.