Page 32 - IT_June_2020_Classical

DESIGN ENGINEERING

applications

SPRINGS, GAS SPRINGS & DAMPERS

IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE THAT TOP ARTISTS SUCH AS NOEL GALLAGHER, STEVIE WONDER AND
MADONNA HAVE PERFORMED ON STAGE AND IN THE STUDIO WITH WAVE SPRINGS. WHEN EXAMINING
POTENTIAL USES FOR WAVE SPRINGS, AEROSPACE, AUTOMOTIVE AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS ARE
USUALLY THE FIRST THAT COME TO MIND – NOT LIVE MUSIC. HERE JUSTIN LAWRENCE, APPLICATIONS
ENGINEER AT TFC, EXPLORES THREE OF THE MORE UNUSUAL APPLICATIONS FOR WAVE SPRINGS

ow did Noel Gallagher end up with a wave larger diameter bolts, these springs can provide a
spring? Well, UK manufacturer Aston more evenly distributed force, keeping the stresses
Microphones used a Crest-to-Crest wave uniform around the bolt head. Nested wave springs
Hspring to combine practicality and can therefore provide a more accurate, repeatable
aesthetics when designing its first microphone. load than a standard lock washer.
Looking to design a radical new product, Aston’s
designers were first impressed with the visual Athletic shoes
appearance of the spring. Another attraction was the The performance of athletic or casual shoes is partly
unique manufacturing method, which enables the determined by the amount of shock absorption they
production of bespoke springs to the designer’s exact provide. Typically, wave springs are used in
specifications. mechanical engineering, so it is easy to see why they
At the suggestion of TFC, the final design included could be considered as a shock absorber for the
squared shim ends so the spring offered a full 360º human body. Most manufactured products and
supporting shoulder within the product. Once assemblies will have space limitations – the sole of a
assembled, the spring provided an attractive and shoe is no exception.
robust outer to shell protect the fragile electronics. Crest-to-Crest springs provide space-saving
Should the microphone be dropped and the spring capabilities in a very lightweight design. They are
distorted, the flat wire form allows the head to be also roughly half the height of coil springs, but still
straightened by hand in seconds. All this was provide similar capacity to absorb the heavy,
achieved without any distortion to the sound quality repeatable loads created by a jog around the
of the vocal input. neighbourhood. This practical use in a shoe is an
example of how wave springs are apt for both static
Lock washer replacement (standing) and dynamic (running) purposes.
Lock washers can prevent nuts and bolts from While wave springs are typically thought of in the
slipping or turning in an application. The washer context of automotive, aerospace or medical
applies a load to minimise the effects of vibration, applications, their possibilities are endless. These
keeping the nut and bolt secure. applications show how wave spring technology is
Lock washers are typically manufactured from being applied across different industries, from casual
low-cost materials. When special alloys are needed for these springs to solid will induce some loss of load so consumer products to space exploration and everything in
corrosive, or extreme temperature environments, custom talking to a specialist from the outset is key. between. Factors such as available space and operational
lock washers can be impossible to source unless ordering Nested wave springs also offer functional benefits performance all play significant roles in the design process
vast quantities. For highly specialised subsea or space when compared with lock washers. These springs are and TFC engineers have a wealth of experience to help
applications nested wave springs can be considered as an coiled in series, increasing the load with each turn until maximise the benefits of using this technology.
alternative. However, it should be noted that compressing the desired spring rate and deflection are reached. For MORE INFORMATION: www.tfc.eu.com

Spring calculator now covers non-standard springs

ack in August 2019 the Institute of Spring grades. Written right into the software is an extensive
Technology (IST) released the completely re- range of material performance data and fatigue life and
written Spring Calculator Professional (SCP). relaxation predictions.
BSince the launch of SCP Version 2 the software The interface has be updated making it highly user-
team has been working hard to add all the spring types friendly as well as customisable with options to add your
you know and love from the original version. And now, the company's logo and details to reports, export data to
biggest addition yet, the calculator includes in the non- poplar formats such as Word, Excel, CSV and text files.
standard spring type. The IST has also added the ability to define your own units
You’ll still find the software packed with material and giving you complete control over your setup. There’s a new
design standards including BS, DIN, EN, SMI, IS and JIS; business insight tool too where you can discover your
wire and strip data available to BS, DIN, EN, ASTM, AMS, most used materials, sizes and standards.
IS and JIS specifications, as well as selected commercial MORE INFORMATION: www.ist.org.uk

32 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • May/June 2020