Compression Springs

Compression Springs are open-coil helical springs wound or constructed to oppose compression along the axis of wind. Helical Compression is the most common metal spring configuration. These coil springs can work independently, though often assembled over a guide rod or fitted inside a hole. When you put a load on a compression coil spring, making it shorter, it pushes back against the load and tries to get back to its original length. Compression springs offer resistance to linear compressing forces (push), and are in fact one of the most efficient energy storage devices available.

The amount of energy stored in a compression spring is determined by the spring's material properties, wire diameter, and number of coils. The spring's rate, or stiffness, is determined by the wire diameter and the number of coils. The spring's rate is the change in force per unit change in length, and it is measured in pounds per inch or newtons per millimeter. The spring's rate can be adjusted by varying the wire diameter or the number of coils.

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Compression Spring Applications

Compression Springs are found in a wide variety of applications ranging from automotive engines and large stamping presses to major appliances and lawn mowers to medical devices, cell phones, electronics and sensitive instrumentation devices. The most basic installation is anywhere requiring a push button. Conical type springs are generally used in applications requiring low solid height and increased resistance to surging.

Stock Compression Springs

Lee Spring stocks millions of compression springs, with thousands of unique design parameters. Lee Spring stock compression springs are available for same day shipment and can be purchased in low or large quantity. Lee Spring stock compression springs are in stock and ready to ship.

Lee Spring offers the following stock compression springs series:

• Free Plating on all Music Wire Stock Springs
• Free Grinding on all Standard Stock Compression Spring
• Free Passivation on 302, 316, & 17-7 Stainless Steel Stock Springs
• Certificate of Compliance on all Stock Springs and Custom Springs
• Guaranteed RoHS Compliance on all Stock Springs
   

Stock Compression Spring Series 

Bantam&#; Mini Series
        Free Length: 0.039" - 0.625"
        Ends Not Ground

Instrument Series
        Free Length: 0.039" - 2.087"
        Ends Square, Not Ground

Lite Pressure&#; Series
        Free Length: 0.313" - 6"
        Ends Square, Not Ground

Standard Series
        Free Length: 0.173" - 11.417"
        Squared, Ground Ends

Heavy Duty Series
        Free Length: 0.875" - 6"
        Squared, Ground Ends

High Pressure Series
        Free Length: 0.250" - 4"
        Squared, Ground Ends

DIN-Plus Series
        DIN Part 2- Free Length: 0.039" - 2.063"
                                   Ends Square, Not Ground
        DIN Part 1: Free Length: 0.173" - 39.961" 
                                   Squared and Ground Ends

HEFTY&#; Die Springs 
        Fit in Hole 0.375" - 2 
        Free Length 

REDUX&#; Wave Springs
      Outside Diameter 0.210" - 1.707"
      Free Height: 0.060" - 2" 

LeeP&#; Plastic Composite Series
      Free Length: 0.375" - 1.25" 
      Available in 5 Colors - Coded Strengths

MIL SPEC MS
     Free Length: 0.250" - 1.5" 
     Square and Ground 

Custom Compression Springs

Lee Spring offers extensive custom compression spring capabilities and engineering support from design through production. Custom compression springs can be manufactured in a wide range of size and material options. Common compression spring materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, chrome silicon, and music wire.

Lee Spring offers advanced capabilities and a wide variety of options for custom compression spring manufacturing needs such as; advance quality control systems, regulatory expertise including RoHS, REACH and DFARS CAD assisted product design, in-house prototype production services and global supply chain network. Lee Spring is ISO : certified, REACH and RoHS compliant and ITAR Registered.

Lee Spring can manufacture custom compression springs in small or large quantities. Lee Spring can supply for short run R&D projects up to large, long run blanket orders that run over a period of years.

To learn more about material options &#; click here.
To learn more about coatings and surface treatment options &#; click here.

Custom Compression Spring Quotes
Request a custom compression spring quote today or contact a Lee Spring Engineering for design help or to answer any technical questions. 

Compression Spring Supply - Global Flexibility 

Lee Spring partners with your business to find solutions that meet your geographic requirements wherever your business takes you in the world. Lee Spring has locations locations around the world ready to assist. Develop prototypes with a Lee Spring Engineering in one part of the world and reduce long run shipping costs by producing parts close to where you need them in another part of the world. This level of global flexibility and selection is just another reason to work with Lee Spring on your next project. 

Compression Spring Design Considerations 

Compression Spring Types & Shapes 
Compression springs are available variety of shapes. Some of the most common compression spring shapes are conventional, conical, hourglass, or convex, barrel, or concave, and reduced end designs. 

Key Compression Spring Parameters

Rate: Spring rate is the change in load per unit deflection in pounds per inch (lbs/in) or Newtons per millimeter (N/mm).

Stress: The dimensions, along with the load and deflection requirements, determine the stresses in the spring. When a compression spring is loaded, the coiled wire is stressed in torsion. The stress is greatest at the surface of the wire; as the spring is deflected, the load varies, causing a range of operating stress. Stress and stress range govern the life of the spring. The wider the operating stress range, the lower the maximum stress must be to obtain comparable life. Relatively high stresses may be used when the operating stress range is narrow or if the spring is subjected to static loads only.

Outside Diameter: The diameter of the cylindrical envelope formed by the outside surface of the coils of a spring.

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Hole Diameter: This is a measurement of the space where you would insert a compression spring. It is the diameter of a mating part to a compression spring and often commonly mistaken for a dimension of the spring itself. The hole diameter should be designed larger than your compression spring&#;s outside diameter factoring tolerance and spring expansion under load.

Rod Diameter: This is a measurement of the rod that goes through the inside of a compression spring. Essentially a mating part, this rod can work as a guide shaft to minimize spring buckling under load. The rod diameter should be designed smaller than your compression spring&#;s inside diameter factoring tolerance; however, not too small or else it loses ability to minimize spring buckling.

Free Length: The length of a spring when it is not loaded. NOTE: In the case of extension springs, this may include the anchor ends.

Wire Diameter: This is a size measurement of the raw material used to form a spring. Conventional springs are made with round wires that are specified to a diameter. Consult our guide on How to Measure a Compression Spring.

Solid Height: This is a length dimension of a compression spring at its maximum loaded condition. Effectively, this is the compression spring&#;s height when all the coils are pressed together.

Spring Set: This is an occurrence when a spring is loaded beyond its material elastic strength. It is a kind of permanent deformation that is noticeable when a spring does not return to its original length after releasing a deflection load. Depending on the application, spring set can be either desirable or undesirable.

Load at Solid Height: This is a measurement of the force required to completely deflect a compression spring to where the coils are fully pressed together. For product designers that want to avoid the occurrence of bottoming out a compression spring, Load at Solid Height is quick reference property to find springs capable of handling an assembly&#;s maximum operating load.

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About Coil Springs

Working together to absorb impacts and help keep the tires in contact with the road, coil springs and shocks/struts are key parts of a vehicle&#;s ride control system. Made of wound metal, coil springs are designed support the vehicle&#;s weight. They compress and absorb road impacts, allowing the frame and body of the vehicle to experience minimal disturbances when riding over bumps such as railroad tracks or dips such as potholes. Coil springs also help prevent the vehicle from bottoming out when loaded or during adverse driving conditions by working to maintain optimal ride height as determined by the manufacturer.

Replacing the coil springs on a vehicle can have a dramatic impact on its ride and handling. From matching OE performance to achieving improvements in performance, using the right coil spring is vital.

Coil springs have a direct effect on the ride profile of a vehicle. Several factors contribute to how a coil spring will perform on a vehicle:

Number of coils

A poorly engineered constant rate spring with too many coils can cause coil bind, a condition where the coils stack solid at or before full suspension compression. This can lead to suspension component damage.

Material & coating

A spring made from higher grade steel with quality coating like urethane or epoxy helps increase the durability of the spring. Bare steel or coils that are painted may not last as long as coils with a quality coating that helps keep the steel from rusting.

Wire diameter

The spring rate increases with a higher wire diameter. However, higher grade steel in combination with a smaller wire diameter can handle heavier loads.

There are two main types of coil springs &#; constant rate coil springs and variable rate coil springs.

Constant Rate

Also known as linear rate springs, these springs feature evenly spaced coils for a uniform rate of compression. The spring compresses an amount proportional to the load being placed on the spring. Popular for heavy-duty and performance applications, when the correct constant rate spring is chosen it helps improve ride quality by reducing pitch and roll.

Variable Rate

Also known as progressive rate springs, these springs have coils that aren&#;t evenly spaced out. The spring rate changes dynamically as the spring is compressed, allowing it to have different spring rates. The coils that are spread apart provide a comfortable ride under normal conditions and when the vehicle is loaded, those coils become compressed. The tighter wound coils help prevent the vehicle from sagging excessively. Ideal for multipurpose vehicles used as daily drivers as well as hardworking activities like towing or hauling loads, variable rate coil springs can help reduce harshness and pitch and roll, and help avoid bottoming out under various levels of load conditions.

Also known as deflection rate, spring rate is a measure of a spring&#;s strength and is determined by the wire diameter, number of coils and quality of the steel. It is the amount of weight needed to compress the coil spring one inch. The OE spring rate can differ from one vehicle to another based on vehicle model, engine size, drivetrain (4W vs front wheel), transmission type (automatic vs manual), and other vehicle attributes that affect vehicle weight and ride profiles. In fact, within a single model, there can be different packages and trim levels that can affect spring rate.

It's important to match OE spec by application when it comes to spring designs to help restore OE ride height specifications assigned to each vehicle. Even a 15% reduction in ride height can cause the vehicle to noticeably sag and may affect wheel alignment which could result in accelerated tire wear.

Here are some additional things to know:

Quality Matters

A spring manufacturer can use its own formula to achieve the spring rate; they can alter the steel strength, wire diameter or number of coils to do so. Simply adding more coils to compensate for lower strength steel may not match the OE spring rate. The additional coils can stack up, creating touchpoints of the coils at or before full suspension compression and causing coil bind, potentially resulting in immediate suspension component damage.

Rate Differences

Spring rates can differ from the left side of the vehicle to the right. The design of the vehicle is a major factor in how the manufacturer determines the proper spring rate for each side. For example, many vehicles have the engine offset to the passenger side to make room for components like the accelerator and brake pedal. This can affect the spring rate of the right and left side of the vehicle. It is important to take this into consideration when it comes to individual coil springs or as part of a strut assembly - not matching the OE spring rate could compromise the vehicle&#;s performance.

Selecting the Right Coil Spring

Diagnosing if the coil springs are worn is the first step; check out this ServiceGram for guidance.

When it comes to selecting the right coil spring for your vehicle, Monroe has taken the guesswork out of getting the right part. Whether it&#;s a Quick-Strut® strut assembly, a Magnum® strut assembly or a conversion kit, Monroe&#;s application-specific parts puts the right coil spring for your vehicle in an all-in-one solution that is easy to install.

Magnum

Designed specifically for hardworking half-ton trucks and vans that haul and tow, you get everything you need for a strut replacement in a single, fully assembled unit. Features a variable rate coil spring that delivers a comfortable ride and helps reduce sag when under load.

For more information, please visit automotive coil springs.