Design Methodology for Round Wire Compression Springs.

A concise, logical method for designing round wire, compression springs is provided. An overview of the method is that the type of available material M should first be selected on the basis of what type of service is required, i.e., fatigue life, operating temperature, large loads, cost. Then either performance P or space S, not both, should be selected and the remaining parameter, S or P, will be determined via the standard spring equations. Essentially, algebraic equations can describe the approach, P M S where P and M are selected and S is calculated, or S M P where S and M are selected and P is calculated. An approach that is NOT recommended is to select P and S and calculate M P S M. It is easily shown that this approach can result in the condition where the material required to provide the specified performance in the allocated space does NOT exist. The background information material available, manufacturing and testing considerations, fatigue, presetting needed for designing a compression spring is provided. Also, guidance is provided on which parameters should be specified and how to determine the tolerances necessary for producibility and function.