Page 34 - Industrial Technology February 2020

DESIGN ENGINEERING

Living in the plastic age

SPRINGS AND DAMPERS

THE EXPERTS AT LEE SPRING
DRAW ATTENTION TO THE WHEN
AND WHY OF PLASTIC SPRING
he when and why of plastic springs is rarely a round wire spring design. The exact cross section is a alkalis, bases, aromatics and ketones. And being non-
simple matter, made as they are from highly slight trapezoid to facilitate manufacturability. The design magnetic, it does not interfere with imaging or ferro-
engineered composites and technically advanced element that proved difficult yet critical is the sensitive technologies. As a dielectric insulating material,
Tnew generation materials. Typical properties configuration of the ends to provide for minimal side thrust it is suitable for non-conductive applications, and being
include operation at elevated temperatures, neutral and maximum flat load bearing surface without creating inert and non-contaminating, it protects product purity.
magnetic characteristics, light weight, low thermal stress points or increasing the solid height while again LeeP plastic composite springs are available in five
conductivity, electrically insulating and ability to recycle at accounting for manufacturability. colours, with the colour coding indicating the strength of
end of life. the individual product, running through red, orange,
Lee Spring has worked very closely with Sabic Physical and mechanical properties yellow, green and violet in order from weakest to
Innovative Plastics to select the right material, adopting Plastic composite springs offer many advantages including strongest.
the Ultem resin, which is a very high-strength plastic, for stability of physical and mechanical properties (up to Plastic springs have wide ranging applications in
compression springs ex-stock. Ultem polyetherimide 170°C), high strength to weight ratios and excellent medical products and apparatus, imaging and X-ray
performs in continuous use to 170°C and in the LeeP corrosion resistance. The Lee Spring patented design equipment, food processing and packaging machinery as
springs is designed to perform under load with minimum maximises spring rates and cycle life while minimising well as in the aerospace, marine, electronics, electrical,
side thrust. This is achieved with a design that has a solid height. The high strength to weight ratio optimises water purification, chemical, automotive, semiconduc-
nearly rectangular cross section to maximise the amount performance while reducing mass. The material is tor, instrumentation and communications sectors.
of active material used as opposed to the more common resistant to a wide range of chemicals including acids, MORE INFORMATION: www.leespring.co.uk

Feel the force...

Nested Spirawave® Wave Springs

• Nested springs can replace • Standard series now • Bespoke designs are also
single turn wave springs and available in carbon steel and possible up to 1m in diameter
provide two to three times 17-7 stainless up to 100mm and can be manufactured in
the force. in diameter. exotic alloys.

Call now to speak to our Technical Team +44 (0)1435 866011
or email enquiries@tfc.eu.com | www.tfc.eu.com