Torsion Springs Nomenclature

Definition: Torsion springs are tightly coiled round wires with straight wires coming off the ends which make the legs of the torsional spring.

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Torsional Spring

    Another term used for torsion springs.


Direction of Wind

    The direction in which your spring’s coils are wound. Learn how to determine the direction of wind using the diagram to the right.


Free Position

    The angle of your spring’s legs in a free state.


Wire Diameter

    Measurement of wire thickness.


Outer Diameter

    Measurement of the width of the coils that make up the torsion spring’s body.


Inner Diameter

    Measurement of the hole inside the spring’s coils formed by its helical shape.


Mean Diameter

    The medium or intermediate diameter between the outer and inner diameter. Calculated by adding one wire diameter to the inner diameter or subtracting one wire diameter from the outer diameter.


Index

    The proportional ratio between a spring’s wire diameter and mean diameter. It describes the tightness of the spring’s coils.


Body Length

    The body length is the measurement of the body’s height. You may calculate the body length by multiplying the total coils by the wire diameter and adding one additional wire diameter.


Leg Lengths

    The length of your torsion spring’s legs, staring from the center of its outer diameter. You can measure the leg lengths from the outside of the outer diameter and then add half of the outer diameter to that measurement.


Typical Legs (Typ.)

    This means that both legs are the same length.


Active / Total Coils

    The total amount of active coils in a torsion spring that’ll work together to fulfill your torque and deflection requirements.


Rate (Constant) per Degree

    The constant amount of force it will take the spring to travel one degree at a time.


Rate (Constant) per 360 Degrees

    The constant amount of force it will take the spring to travel 360 degrees.


Torqued Position

    Angle of the position of the spring’s legs when a load is applied.


Degrees of Travel (Degrees of Deflection)

    The angular motion in which a torsional spring is torqued or rotated. The degrees of travel are calculated by subtracting the torqued position from the free position.


Torque

    The weight or force being applied on the spring’s legs in order for it to reach a torqued position.


Maximum Torque Possible

    The maximum amount of torque your spring will be able to undergo before taking a permanent set.


Maximum Safe Travel

    The maximum amount of angular travel or deflection your spring is able to achieve before taking a permanent set.


Endurance Limit

    Maximum Stress at which your extension spring will perform indefinitely without failure for a given minimum stress limit.


Permanent Set

    The product of exceeding the elastic properties of an extension spring thus keeping it from returning to its original unloaded length once the load has been released.


torsional spring





Torsion Springs Physical Dimensions Nomenclature

torsional springs physical dimensions nomenclature