Torsion
Springs
Torsion springs can be made from round or square wire, although round is considerably cheaper and easier to manufacture. We keep a vast selection of material sizes and types in stock, from standard spring steels to nickel alloys, all of which can be used to manufacture torsion springs.
When ordering a torsion spring
consider the following factors:
Wire size
Specify either metric or Imperial measurements or Standard Wire Gauges. We stock all the standard wire sizes and also a large range of non-standard wire sizes for certain designs.
Diameter
Specify the outside diameter of the main part of the spring, or the size of rod that is to go through the centre of the spring (if any). The diameter of the spring is inversely proportional to the rate (strength) of the spring.
Number of coils
The number of coils is inversely proportional to the rate (strength) of a torsion spring. A large number of coils will result in a fairly weak spring. A small number of coils will give a relatively strong spring.
Rate
The rate (strength) of the spring depends on the above factors and can easily be calculated. The rate is defined as the torque that has to be applied in order to produce unit deflection and is usually measured in Newton mm per degree (Nmm/°).
Leg types
The following are just four examples of leg arrangements for torsion springs:
Axial legs.
Tangential legs.
Radial legs.
One leg radial over centre, the other tangential.
There is no standard type of leg configuration for torsion springs although the cost to manufacture will increase as the complexity increases. The simplest (and cheapest) type are the tangential legs, but we are able to manufacture just about any design you could imagine with multiple bends and/or hooks and loops. Feel free to contact us to discuss any specific requirements.