Design step of helical springs for static loading:
Step1: For the given application, estimate the maximum spring force (F) and the
corresponding required deflection (𝛿) of the spring. In some cases, maximum spring
force (F) and stiffness (k), which is (F/ 𝛿), are specified.
Step2: Select a suitable spring material and find out ultimate tensile strength (Sut) from
the data. Calculate the permissible shear stress for the spring wire by following
relationship: 𝛕 = 0.30 Sut or 0.50 Sut
Step3: Assume a suitable value for the spring index (C).
For industrial applications, the spring index varies from 8 to 10. A spring index of 8 is
considered as a good value.
The spring index for springs in valves and clutches is 5. The spring index should never
be less than 3
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Design step of helical springs continued:
Step4: Calculate the Wahl factor (K) by the following equation:
𝟒𝐂−𝟏 𝟎⋅𝟔𝟏𝟓
𝒌= +
𝟒𝐂−𝟒 𝑪
Step5: Determine wire diameter (d)
𝟖𝑭𝑫 𝟖𝑭𝑪
𝝉=𝒌 ( )= 𝒌( )
𝝅𝒅𝟑 𝝅𝒅𝟐
Step6:Determine mean coil diameter (D)
𝑫 = 𝑪𝒅
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Design step of helical springs continued:
Step7: Determine the number of active coils (N)
𝟖𝑭𝑫𝟑 𝑵
𝜹=
𝑮𝒅𝟒
Step8: Decide the style of ends for the spring depending upon the configuration of the
application.
Determine the number of inactive coils. Find total number of coils (𝑁𝑡 )
𝑵𝒕 = Active +Inactive
Step9: Determine the solid length of the spring by the following relationship:
Solid length = 𝑵𝒕 d (plain and ground)
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Design step of helical springs continued:
Step10:Determine the actual deflection of the spring (𝜹 )
𝟖𝑭𝑫𝟑 𝑵
𝜹=
𝑮𝒅𝟒
Step11: When the spring is under the action of maximum load. The total axial gap
between coils is given by
Total gap = (𝑵𝒕 – 1) × gap between two adjacent coils
(gap between adjacent coils of 0.5 to 2 mm )
Total gap =15% deflection
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Design step of helical springs continued:
Step12:Determine the free length of the spring
Free length = solid length + total gap + 𝜹
Step13: Determine the pitch of the coil (p)
𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
𝒑=
𝑵𝒕 − 𝟏
Step14: Determine the rate of spring/ spring constant/ stiffness of spring
𝑮 ⅆ𝟒
𝒌=
𝟖𝑫𝟑 𝑵
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Design step of helical springs continued:
Step15: A helical compression spring that is too long compared to the mean coil
diameter, acts as a flexible column and may buckle at a comparatively low axial force.
𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
≤ 𝟐 ⋅ 𝟔 (Guide not required)
𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓
𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
> 𝟐 ⋅ 𝟔 (Guide required)
𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓
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