From furniture and electronics to cars and planes – springs are everywhere! And, like any other common component, they can fail.
Whether a spring failure causes a minor inconvenience, or a major catastrophe depends on the product it’s in. A failed couch spring is a minor inconvenience, but a failed spring in a moving vehicle can be catastrophic.
The latter circumstance highlights the importance of manufacturing dependable springs. Understanding why springs fail is an important first step toward that goal. Here are five main reasons:
Material fatigue is the most common cause of spring failure. Repeated loading and unloading of a spring can fatigue the material and cause microscopic cracks to develop. These tiny cracks then spread, ultimately causing the spring to fail.- Exposure to moisture, chemicals, or extreme temperatures can cause springs to corrode and deteriorate.
- Subjecting springs to greater loads than they were designed to withstand can cause them to distort and/or break.
- Poor design, either in the choice of material or dimensional specifications, can result in spring failure.
- Manufacturing process mistakes, such as incorrect dimensions, assembly, or improper heat treatment, can cause springs to fail.
Spring manufacturers can’t control all the risk factors, especially since many are the result of end users’ actions. However, they can control the manufacturing process. That’s where Spring Tool Solutions (STS) can help.
We specialize in the manufacture of tools for a wide variety of spring coiling machines. Our complete line of carbide and steel tooling includes arbors, guides, coiling tools, quills, and special tooling. STS is truly a “one stop” shop for spring manufacturers.
Since 1976, countless spring manufacturers have depended on STS to provide the tools they need to make high quality, reliable springs. Contact Us when you’re ready to join them.