I am currently looking for an alternative for a standard extension spring (1 lbF/in) in a tight area. The issue I have with the springs are maintaining a constant spring rate and damage over time. Any ideas... pneumatic, small drawbar springs, etc???
Hi Mitch,
"Damage over time" Are you actually experiencing damage or is this a new product/item and you think the spring will suffer damage.
A spring correctly designed for it's application can have many, many millions of cycles. Urban myths abound on the life-cycle of springs.
Check Belleville washers (you can get them lots of places like Reid Tool or McMaster) or Smalley wave springs.
Well, if your open to alternative spring configuration.. like a spring or ribbon mounted on a drum, also a conical spring can be made to have a constant spring rate by creating the spring with a variable pitch.
Search the internet for "Constant Force Springs"..
Oh ya, - almost forgot, see:
Constant Force Spring Design
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