Today there are more spring choices than ever, which is a good thing. But this also means that businesses can become overwhelmed as to what product best suits their operational requirements. While there are a number of styles of coil springs available, the ability to customize these springs means that there is no end of choice when it comes to getting the right coil.
Whether you work in the refrigeration, natural gas, P.E.T or air industry, there are coil springs to suit all businesses, with manufacturing firms offering almost anything that you ask for.
High-Performance Springs
In the past, coils that were on the market have largely been based on new materials as opposed to new technology. If the demand were for stronger and stiffer springs, companies would have used the best materials possible and increased the size of the range of springs on offer, whereas now there are other and somewhat better alternatives.
New materials are still changing the way coil springs are developing, but new configurations are also making a big impact. Traditionally, coil springs used to be round, but you can now opt for oval and flat springs that allow for a better performance due to having more spring in the allotted amount of space.
Flat Wire Springs
Flat wire springs are designed to be able to store more energy in the same amount of space that a standard coil spring would. If you are unsure on what a flat coil spring looks like, just open your ball point pen and take a look.
Flat wire springs can prevent failures in production and will enjoy a greater lifespan than round coils that can become weak over time. As well as having more spring, the flat wire spring can absorb more impact than a round ring and they can ‘take a better beating’ so to speak.
Different Types of Coil Spring
A lot of manufacturers are dedicated to providing high-quality products to their customers, which means that there is constant research being carried out on what different styles of coil springs are best suited to different industries.
Despite there being many varieties of spring, the top three are:
- Compression Springs
Compression springs are inexpensive and great value for money as they last a lot longer than you would think for their price tag. Designed to resist linear compressing focus and pushing forces, compression springs are less likely to buckle and can take on heavy impacts. This style of spring comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized to meet individual requirements.
- Tension Springs
Tension springs are generally attached to other components to create the required resistance and can be supplied with closed eyes, open hooks or other common attachment forms. There is a weakness in the part of the springs that forms by the hook or eye, which can lower the tension quality, but there are workarounds for this.
- Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are made to solve the problem of twisting and rotating when there is an applied force.
Looking at this type of coil, it appears to be similar to a standard coil but has ‘legs’ that are designed to attach to other components within a valve. Energy is easily stored and released in this style of spring and it has the ability to push components back to their original position.
Coil Springs for Valve Parts
The purpose of a valve is to apply and release pressure and in order to do this a high-quality coil spring is a vital component. If you are working with heavy loads then it is vital that valves are used in your equipment, as they can withstand the pressure without buckling.
You will find coil springs used in valves in the following components:
- Refrigeration compressors
- Heat and vacuum pumps
- Heavy truck breaking compressors
- Gas and oil compressors
- E.T Compressors
There are, of course, many other industries that use compressors and valves, but these are the most common.
The areas in which we are seeing such a rise in new technology isnow transforming how businesses work, in terms of efficiency and productivity.
The Benefits of Coil Springs
There are many advantages of using coil springs in valve parts, with the following being the most notable:
- Flexibility
- Energy efficiency and savings
- Great value for money
- Can withstand heavy loads
- Hardwearing
- Leaks and pressure drops are less frequent
- Compact so that space is saved
- More powerful
Despite the fact that coil springs are used in a number of industries, there is no one size fits all. A coil cannot simply be taken off the shelf and added to your product as simply as some other components did that you may have used in the past.
Once you understand the requirements of your valve, it is then necessary that you can think about customizing it so that it will suit the demands of your business, which includes customizing the coil spring inside the valve.
Choosing a Springs Manufacturer
A reputable springs manufacturer will always have a variety of coil springs at hand. Some are even known to work with brands that can provide precise customization, to ensure that your company is provided with the ultimate performance.
It is also wise to look around for a company that can provide all of the components that you need to ensure that they all work in harmony with one and other. If you don’t take the time with this part of the process, it will most likely end up costing your company more than originally planned.
It is worth noting that certain parts of a valve or compressor will need replacing from time to time, so you will need to inquire about servicing and/or replacing parts. Sealing elements, metallic plates and thermoplastic buttons are all components that generally need replacing.
Springs are the life of any compressor and the manufacturing industry is continually meeting the demands of businesses that want to become world leaders in their field by improving their products. A coil spring may be very small, but it plays a vital part in helping your business achieve its goals.