All About Torsion Springs

When you’re deciding the required specification of your springs for a new project, you need to consider the environment, life expectancy and required load. As an experienced spring manufacturer, we know there is a spring for every job.

In this article, we will be looking at torsion springs – one of the many spring types we manufacture here at European Springs & Pressings!

What are Torsion Springs?

Torsion springs are a different type of spring from your typical spring. These coiled springs work by a twisting motion; this rotational movement is known as ‘torsion’ hence the name.

The most popular design for a torsion spring is the helical looped design. This spring type is used when your design needs an angular movement rather than your classic style with a compression spring.

How Is A Torsion Spring Designed And Manufactured?

The helical loop is the most common design for a torsion spring. This design is made by coiling wire and twisting it tighter and tighter. Then, finally, a sideways force is applied to either the right-hand helix or the left.

As a leading company in torsion spring manufacturing in the UK, we offer torsion springs in all shapes and sizes. Any specification can be manufactured to your specific requirements, large, small, double, single or extended length coils.

The production time of this spring is significantly faster than other spring designs due to it needing only one type of machine.

Different Types of Torsion Springs

There isn’t just one type of torsion spring. Most Torsion spring manufacturers will stock different types of this spring, and the most popular is the double coil. The double coil torsion spring is two standard single-coil springs merged to create a double coil spring. This variation is for specifications that require double the torque than the single coil.

What Makes Torsion Springs So Useful?

Where your classic spring works on the idea of squeezing and expanding, the torsion spring is the idea of being somewhat flexible but always returning to its original shape.

For example, most door hinges will have torsion springs in them. This spring brings the door closed again or at least allowed it to bounce back on its hinge to a neutral position. You can open a torsion spring with some force, but it will always bring itself back closed when left alone.

The official description is a torsion spring has a linear characteristic. The torque is equal to force x leg length: M=F x A. the further down the leg, the more pressure is applied, the less counter force is applied.

What Industries Use Torsion Springs?

The unique qualities of torsions springs make them such a popular tool across various industries. Able to do their job in multiple sizes and materials, their versatility has led them to be used in construction to medical industries and many more.

In the agricultural and construction industries, the torsion spring can bring the durability and versatility needed to perform consistently in such a hardworking environment. These springs are used in tractors, ploughs, fertiliser equipment and sprayers. No one wants to change parts or repair equipment constantly, so a sturdy spring like a torsion one is essential.

In the motor industry, you’ll find mostly chrome silicon torsion springs. This material with this spring design allows for smooth motion and tension along the entire spring. You’ll find these springs in the assembly for gear shifters, clutches, valves and the suspension system.

The need for a highly durable spring in the medical sector is vital— the ability to have a high-quality mico torsion spring for intricate equipment is essential. High carbon steel is used in most torsion springs for the medical industry for this very reason. Torsion springs can be applied in hospital beds, dental equipment, wheelchair lifts and hundreds of other pieces of equipment.

Where Have You Used Torsion Springs?

Door hinges have small torsion springs in them, as mentioned earlier, but garage doors have a different way of using these springs. When a garage door is closed, the torsion springs connected are stretched and will be storing considerable energy in them (In this case, the door’s weight). When opening a garage door, the spring takes the weight as it closes again.

Retractable seats are another item that needs torsion springs to work. Any time you leave a stadium or cinema seat and the seat you were on folds itself up, that’s a torsion spring pulling the seat to the backrest.

Your average clipboard would be more complicated if it weren’t for torsion springs. That pressure you feel when prizing open the clip, you are exerting force on the spring. The spring will hold your papers tight once you let go because that’s its natural position.

If you need standard torsion springs in a fine to medium weight category, please browse our spring catalogue to find the correct spring for your project. Or contact us today to discuss with one of our team members creating bespoke torsion springs with your unique requirements.