Decimals and Fractions in Compression Springs
Numbers in the World of Spring Fabrication and Engineering
In the Spring World we work with decimals 80% percent of the time, but we understand that certain industries or teams are more used to working with fractions, while others may use both but be unaware of the technicalities or terminology related to springs. That’s why we want to go back to the basics and address some important information on decimals and fractions in relation to the spring industry.
What is a Decimal?
A decimal is a number that has a decimal point followed by digits that show a value smaller than one.
Many times engineers will call out certain sizes they need for springs they require and the purchasing agents need to know the proper numerical conversion. The numerical form of a spring's dimension, down to the decimals will allow them to search for a spring on our Spring Finder or Spring Calculator. So when you hear someone state the following: “I need a Two Hundred Fifty Thousands Outer Diameter Spring” it means they need a spring with an outer diameter of 0.250 which would be the dimension expressed in numerical decimals.
Double Checking Your Decimals When Inputting them Into Compression Spring Finder is Important
Double checking your decimals before inputting them into the value slots in a SPRING FINDER or SPRING CALCULATOR can save you a lot of hassle. This is important because it can be easy to have a typo and search for 0.0250 in our Online Calculator instead of 0.250 and get the wrong results etc. So pay attention to the place of the decimal number before running a search
Using Calipers and Decimals Facilitates The Accuracy of Spring Measurements
Also, keep in mind that when measuring springs, the use of decimals is a more exact way to measure because it accurately breaks down the size down to the smallest measurement.
1” inch in decimals is 1.000 which is 1000 decimals.
Be sure to use a digital or dial caliper in order to have a more precise way of measuring the spring. Calipers are much more accurate compared to a ruler or tape measure, which can only give you an approximate measurement. To learn more about what a caliper is click HERE
When measuring your springs physical dimensions we recommend you measure them in decimals with a digital caliper so you can get a clear and precise measurement down to milimeters. This is why it is so important for you to understand your decimals as well as fractions and millimeters in the spring industry.
Fractions and Springs
If you have ever tried to measure a spring, or anything by that matter, you know that the world revolves around numbers, decimals, and sometimes even fractions. When it comes to springs, fractions are also an important and relative part of the lingo. In fact, fractional sizes in springs are less common than dimensions but still important enough that at CompressionSpring.com we even provide a sectioned out lists of stock compression springs by fractional sizes. You can find the list of springs by fractional size HERE.
Converting Fractions Into Decimals For a Stock Spring Search
Although decimals are the primary form of measurement when it comes to springs it is also important to discuss fractions. In fact, the reason we have fractional measurements for springs is because many customers use springs in settings where fractions are the most common way of referring to the measurements or spaces of the machine or gadget the coil compression spring will go into. However if for any reason you are working on a device or project with both fractions and decimals it is always helpful to be reminded of the conversion required. This will allow you to use our Spring Finder and search for a spring based on dimensions with a more accurate decimal number.
To convert fractions into decimals all you need to do is take the top number of the fraction and divide it by the bottom number. The result is the fraction expressed as a decimal number.
When it comes to spring measurements, both decimals and fractions play a role but decimals still tend to be the preferred choice. Yet, regardless of whether you are more comfortable with fractions or decimals, we can help you find and select the correct compression stock spring.