Helical Spring Rate
Attention! Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value. Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!
Attention! Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value. Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!
Attention! Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value. Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!
What is a helical compression spring?
A helical compression spring is a mechanical object made of wire which is wound to form coils. They are used to absorb shock, maintain a force between two objects, and to absorb and release energy.
Elasticity allows helical springs to deform under an opposing force. The memory stored in its coils allows it to spring back up to its free length. We manufacture custom helical springs to meet your requirements. We also keep a stock spring catalog with a large variety of spring designs.
Before choosing and buying a helical compression spring, you must know how much force and deflection it will undergo, and create a design that will meet those parameters. You also have to calculate the spring rate. The spring rate is what will determine if your spring will be able to deflect as much as you need, under the load you want to apply. You do this by using Hooke’s law which states “as the extension, so the force”. In compression spring terms, this means that the deflection (or compression) is proportional to the load being applied. Below, we have provided the formula determined by Hooke’s Law.
F = kx- F - Load
- k - Rate
- x - Travel
This formula is used to calculate load using your spring’s rate and the deflection you wish to achieve. To calculate your required spring rate using your spring’s working loads, you simply use reverse mathematics. When doing so, you get the following formula:
k = F ÷ x- F - Load
- k - Rate
- x - Travel
Once you have defined the requirements your device needs from your spring (when it comes to load, travel, and spring rate), you may create a design using our online spring calculator, Spring Creator. Our compression spring calculation software will calculate your spring’s load and travel limits as well as the spring rate. It will do all of that with a few of the physical dimensions and material type so it is highly accurate.
When your design is finished, you will get a blueprint and spring analysis as well as pricing on different quantities. You can purchase directly by clicking on the quantity lot that best meets your needs. If you only need a few springs for testing and prototyping, you can also search for similar springs in stock using the Spring Finder tool at The Spring Store.