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spring finder step 2

Step #2

Enter your Dimensions

Enter your Outer Diameter and Free Length
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outer Diameter:
Mandatory
Outer DiameterOuter Diameter

to

inches mm
Inner Diameter:
Mandatory
Inner DiameterInner Diameter

to

inches mm
Free Length:
Mandatory
Free LengthFree Length

to

inches mm
Wire Diameter:
Optional
Wire DiameterWire Diameter

to

inches mm
Total Coils:
Optional
Total CoilsTotal Coils

to

Optional
Rate: ? Spring rate or spring constant: The amout of force required to move the spring 1 inch of distance or in millimeters the amount of force required to move the spring 1 millimeter of distance.
Optional
RateRate

to

lbs/in N/mm

Input one or more dimensions to find Stock Springs

Max. Load: ? The maximum amount of force or load you can place on this spring. If you put more force than this you will distort or fatigue the spring.
Optional
Max. LoadMax. Load

to

lbs N
Max. Deflection (Max. Travel):
Optional
Max. Deflection (Max. Travel)Max. Deflection (Max. Travel)

to

inches mm
Solid Height:
Optional
Solid HeightSolid Height

to

inches mm
spring finder step 3

Step #3

Click on Search

* Required Field
spring finder step 2

Step #2

Enter your Dimensions

Enter your Outer Diameter and Length Inside Hook
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outer Diameter:
Mandatory
Outer Diameter

to

inches mm
Length Inside Hook:
Mandatory
Length Inside Hook

to

inches mm
Wire Diameter:
Optional
Wire Diameter

to

inches mm

Input one or more dimensions to find Stock Springs

Max. Load: ? The maximum amount of force or load you can place on this spring. If you put more force than this you will distort or fatigue the spring.
Optional
Max. LoadMax. Load

to

lbs N
Max. Deflection (Max. Travel):
Optional
Max. Deflection (Max. Travel)

to

inches mm
Initial Tension: ? The force required to seperate the coils of an extension spring before the spring will extend.
Optional
Initial Tension

to

lbs N
Rate: ? Spring rate or spring constant: The amout of force required to move the spring 1 inch of distance or in millimeters the amount of force required to move the spring 1 millimeter of distance.
Optional
RateRate

to

lbs/in N/mm
Optional
spring finder step 3

Step #3

Click on Search

* Required Field
spring finder step 2

Step #2

Enter your Dimensions

Enter your Outer Diameter and Total Coils
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Outer Diameter:
Mandatory
Outer Diameter

to

inches mm
Inner Diameter:
Mandatory
Inner Diameter

to

inches mm
Total Coils:
Mandatory
Total Coils

to

Free Position or Leg Position in degrees: ? Free Position or Leg Position in degrees
Optional
Free Position or Leg Position in degrees
degrees
Wire Diameter:
Optional
Wire Diameter

to

inches mm
Body Length:
Optional
Body Length

to

inches mm
Optional

Input one or more dimensions to find Stock Springs

Max. Torque: ? The amount of force applied to a torsion spring to radially move the springs leg a certain amount of degrees.
Optional
Max. TorqueMax. Torque

to

lbs N
Max. Deflection (Degrees of travel):
Optional
Max. Deflection (Degrees of travel)

to

degrees
Rate: ? Torsion spring rate is the amount of radial force required to move the spring 360 degrees of distance. Divide the spring rate by 360 degrees to get the rate per degree
Optional
RateRate

to

in-lbs./deg. N-mm/deg.
Leg Length: ? Both legs are equal in length
Optional
Leg Length

to

inches mm
Optional
spring finder step 3

Step #3

Click on Search

* Required Field
spring finder step 2

Step #2

Enter your Dimensions

Enter you Small Outer Diameter, Large Outer Diameter and Free Length
Hint: For larger search results, enter a bigger range of Min and Max Inputs

Small Outer Diameter:
Mandatory
Small Outer Diameter

to

inches mm
Large Outer Diameter:
Mandatory
Large Outer Diameter

to

inches mm
Free Length:
Mandatory
Free Length

to

inches mm

Input one or more dimensions to find Stock Springs

Rate: ? Spring rate or spring constant: The amout of force required to move the spring 1 inch of distance or in millimeters the amount of force required to move the spring 1 millimeter of distance.
Optional
Rate

to

lbs/in N/mm
Total Coils:
Optional
Total Coils

to

Solid Height:
Optional
Solid Height

to

inches mm
Wire Diameter:
Optional
Wire Diameter

to

inches mm
Optional
spring finder step 3

Step #3

Click on Search

* Required Field

Free Length of Compression Springs

Free length is a very common and important term. It refers to the natural length of the spring before any load or force is placed on it. Once a load is placed on the spring, the length will deflect and the spring will travel (compress). How much a spring travels depends on the spring’s stiffness and the load or force placed on it. The free length therefore represents the spring in its unloaded state, free of any force.

The Importance of Free Length

Considering the free length of the spring is important because it helps determine other factors. For example, in compression springs the free length is a factor that helps determine the slenderness ratio. The slenderness ratio is the proportion of free length to coil diameter. If the ratio is too big, the spring will tend to bend or buckle.

Free Length When you Need a Stronger Spring.

The free length of your spring, paired with other dimensions, may also be elongated to provide you with more travel, thus requiring more force. This method is suggested when you need a stronger spring but are under very tight tolerances that make it difficult to change any other dimension.

What to Consider:

To know if you’re able to do this with the free length of your spring, visit our online spring calculator and run a design. Look for the values True Maximum Travel and Maximum Travel Considering Solid Height.

The maximum travel considering solid height is the amount of travel you’re able to achieve out of your current design with its current free length. The True Maximum Travel, on the other hand, is the travel you would be able to get out of your spring if you made the free length longer. If these two values are the same, you will not be able to make your spring’s free length any longer. However, if the True Maximum Travel is greater than the Maximum Travel Considering Solid height, you are able to extend it.

spring free length deflection

Buy a Compression Spring With the Right Free Length

As you can see, free length is not hard to understand but it is a crucial component in selecting or designing your compression spring. If you need help or assistance buying the right compression spring, be sure to contact us at: (951) 276-2777.