Types of Compression Springs

Straight Coil Springs – The entire length of a Straight Coil Spring is the same diameter. This is the most common form of compression spring. The straight coil spring is quick to provuce and more easily found in stock.
Concave or Hourglass Springs – A spring that tapers to a smaller diameter in the center than at the ends is known as a concave spring, or hourglass spring.

Convex or Barrel Springs– A spring that tapers to a larger diameter in the center than at the ends is known as a xonvex apring, or barrel apring.Tapered Conical Springs – A tapered spring has one end smaller than the other. The spring can be tapered to such a degree that each adjacent coil is small enough to fit within the last, allowing the spring to collapse to a solid height of a single wire diameter.

Spring Washers– A Spring Washer is a flat ring-shaped component functioning to seal a joint or promote even distribution of pressure between parts. Spring washers are cupped rather than flat, providing flexibility in a joint, bolt or fastener. Spring washers are typically used in a mechanism that will undergo vibration or thermal expansion. The Belleville Washer is a common type of spring washer.

Variable Pitch Springs– With Variable Pitch Springs, the coils are closer together in some areas and more widely spaced in others. (The spacing between adjacent coils of wire is known as pitch.)

Volute Springs – The coils of a Volute Spring are cone-shaped rather than comprised of round, oval or square cross-sectioned wire. They work similarly to a conical compression spring. Under compressive force, the cone forms slide over each other rather than being pressed together. Therefore, a volute spring will compress down to a smaller solid height than a non-conical compression spring of the same length.