Flat Springs and
Power Springs

Today's world utilizes springs in a number of different settings, and with all of the technological advancements occurring on a daily basis, it should come as no real surprise that custom-built springs of all shapes and styles are always in demand. Flat springs and power springs are just two types, and they each have their own unique place.

Flat Springs

Sometimes called flat spiral springs, spiral torsion springs, clock springs, or brush springs, these are common in medical, office, industrial, and automotive settings. Often, these custom springs must be manufactured to the customer's requirements; we must work hand-in-hand with engineers and designers to create flat springs that are powerful, durable, and compact enough to do the job. The main draw of flat springs is that they minimize coil contact during operation, which reduces friction and allows for a smoother pull. Often, they are found in automobile motors, office equipment, medical equipment, and retracting devices.

Power Springs

Sometimes called recoil or motor springs, power springs store energy in the form of torque. Most often, you will find these in lawnmowers and other pull-start assemblies, reel returns, rewind devices, and more. They are flat, spiral-wound strips of metal, and for this reason, they also work well as counterbalances. They are essentially just one of many types of flat springs, which also include constant force springs that always apply the same amount of force over a long period. In most applications, power springs come inside of a case or retaining rings to keep them compact and powerful.

Custom Designed Springs

When you need flat springs or power springs designed to exact specifications, there are several things for you to consider. The first is the size of the arbor (the material on which the spring winds) and the inside diameter of the case in a power spring. Next are the number of turns and the torque required, as well as the location of the center tab. Mounting requirements and even lifecycle requirements are important considerations. We combine all of this information to custom-design springs from a wide range of materials, both large and small, to fit any application imaginable.

Conventional vs. Pre-Stressed

When purchasing or ordering flat springs or power springs, you can choose from conventional or pre-stressed materials. Conventionally, the spring spirals away from the center in the same direction it is wound. This provides low stress, is easy to make, and has a high life cycle. A pre-stressed spring winds partially backwards, meaning that part of it spirals in the opposite direction of the winding. This adds significant torque, but it is costlier to manufacture and offers a much shorter lifecycle. When deciding which is best, consider the power necessary for the application as well as the anticipated lifecycle.

As we work with you to produce the highest quality flat springs or power springs, there will be questions. Our team will work with you to settle on the best material options, helical direction, and other elements that go into manufacturing the type of springs you need. Pair our expertise with the competitive pricing we offer, and you will understand why our customers keep coming back whenever they need any type of standard or custom springs.

Whether you want standard flat springs, housed power springs, or a combination of the two in conventional or pre-stressed formats, we can work with your custom specifications to create exactly what you need for any application imaginable. Feel free to contact us today for more information about our flat and power springs.

Contact Us For a Quote