Category: News & Updates

Springs play a crucial role across a wide range of industries, from supporting intricate mechanisms to powering heavy machinery. Perhaps one of their most critical uses is within safety-sensitive applications, where their performance directly impacts security and reliability. Industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare depend heavily on springs to ensure the safety and functionality of their systems, making these components indispensable.

In this blog, we’ll explore the vital role springs play in safety-critical applications across various sectors. In these applications, the failure of a spring can lead to disastrous consequences, so it’s crucial that these springs are made with precision and durability. As specialists in manufacturing high-quality, dependable springs, we have extensive experience collaborating with industries like those mentioned in this blog to deliver outstanding results tailored to their needs.

What are Safety-Critical Applications?

Before we explore the details of how springs contribute to safety-critical applications, we first need to understand what qualifies as a safety-critical application. These applications are systems or devices where, if they were to fail, significant harm or damage could occur. This includes industries where human safety is at risk, where equipment failure could harm the environment, or other instances including loss of life.

In these settings, every component must perform consistently under demanding conditions, including springs. This makes the design and construction of the spring evermore important due to the drastic potential consequences if failure were to occur.

Aerospace

In the aerospace sector, springs play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and functionality of an aircraft. When operating machinery thousands of feet in the air, there are a number of safety-critical applications in which springs are utilised. For example, aircraft landing gear uses suspension springs to absorb and distribute any impact force as the plane lands, giving the aircraft a smooth landing process.

In addition to their presence in areas like seatbacks and onboard ovens, springs can be found in the overhead lockers and aircraft doors. Without springs, these aspects of an aircraft could be incredibly dangerous. Locker doors need to be secure and equipped with soft-opening capabilities in order to keep any heavy luggage confined to avoid falling on passengers. Similarly, aircraft doors are a crucial safety feature on any plane, as they not only need to be securely fastened during every flight, but they must also be capable of opening in an emergency. Aerospace components are exposed to extreme temperatures, pressures, and vibrations, so springs in these applications need to be able to withstand these conditions.

Healthcare

In the world of health and medicine, springs are used in a variety of ways, including in medical devices. The reliability of these devices can mean the difference between life and death, and therefore these springs need to be created using the highest standards of precision and durability.

A key example of a medical device reliant on springs is the ventilator. These devices are found in hospitals everywhere, and they use a number of different springs to operate safely. For instance, tension springs are utilised in valve mechanisms, creating tension that regulates the opening and closing of valves, which ultimately controls the flow of air to and from the patient. Equally, compression springs are used to control the pressure of delivered air, which is a crucial feature in addressing a patient’s respiratory needs.

Additionally, springs can be found in pacemakers, where they’re used to secure the miniature electric leads in place, which send charges to the heart. Our expertise in designing and manufacturing springs for medical devices ensures that every product meets regulatory requirements and supports the well-being of patients worldwide.

Automotive

Springs in the automotive industry serve a range of safety functions that help to protect passengers during a collision or prevent loss of control whilst on the road. The most common form of spring in the automotive sector is suspension springs which form an integral part of the car’s suspension system, helping to dissipate vibration and absorb bumps whilst on the road. These springs help to vertically support a vehicle’s weight for even distribution, which is essential for allowing the car to turn corners without excessive body roll.

Similarly, leaf springs have been used for decades in the manufacture of vehicles, particularly within those designed to carry heavy cargo like lorries or vans. They are used in the rear suspension system, and help to maintain stability on uneven road surfaces. From design support to rigorous testing, we ensure that our springs contribute to the reliability and durability of automotive systems.

In industries where safety is a priority, the role of springs cannot be overemphasised. From aerospace to medicine, springs are essential to the processes of countless safety-critical applications. Here at European Springs and Pressings, we have extensive experience in designing and manufacturing springs that meet the highest safety and durability standards. If you’re looking to develop a spring solution for a safety-critical application, please contact us today to learn how we can help with your project.

Melinex is a durable, heat-resistant material widely used in bespoke pressings and stampings across various industries. Its reliability and versatility make it a popular choice for a number of different applications, such as an insulating material, or for packaging and labelling.

In this blog, we’ll explore what Melinex is, how it’s used, and why we think it’s ideal for precision tooling and pressing.

What is Melinex Film?

Melinex is a biaxially oriented specialty polyester film developed by Mylar® Specialty Films (formerly DuPont Teijin Films™). Available in a variety of types—such as super clear, slightly hazy, hazy, translucent matte, opaque white, and heat-stabilised—Melinex can be tailored to suit the users’ specific needs. Its general appearance is clear and glossy, but this varies depending on the chosen finish.

Melinex films are flexible and high-quality, with an excellent resistance to heat. Polyester films such as these are frequently used in the automotive, electronic, medical, and electrical industries. Whilst Melinex can be used for pressings and stampings, this material is also used in labels, die-cut parts, packaging, and insulation. It is a versatile and reliable material that offers some superior benefits to other plastic films.

What are the Benefits of Using Melinex Film?

There are many reasons why our customers choose to use Melinex Film in the manufacturing of their bespoke stamping or pressing. Here are a few reasons why Melinex stands out as an excellent material choice:

Reduces Wear on Tools

Melinex is known for its ability to reduce wear on tooling equipment. It is a very durable material, meaning that your stampings and pressings stay in a pristine condition for longer. This reduces the need for regular replacement or maintenance, helping to save costs in the long term.

Supports Efficiency in Manufacturing Setups

Melinex has excellent dimensional stability, meaning that it maintains its size and shape under a variety of conditions. This allows for smoother manufacturing setups, as it is easier to handle and process the material. Melinex is also very flexible, which can furthermore assist in the manufacturing process. Its flexibility causes quicker setup times, reducing cycle times and increasing overall efficiency.

Tool Designs that Need Tight Tolerances

When we’re crafting precision tooling, materials that are able to maintain tight tolerances provide benefits to the overall manufacturing process. When using Melinex in pressing and stamping applications, we’re able to produce components accurately, so that the final product meets your expectations and specifications. This is especially important in areas such as the electronic and automotive industries, where even the slightest dimensional variation can cause severe functionality issues.

Heat Resistance

Melinex is renowned for its heat resistance, making it an ideal material to be used in pressings and stampings that are exposed to high temperatures. Melinex can operate at a temperature range from -70°C up to 150°C, and special variations of the film can be made to be especially heat-optimised. This wide operational temperature range means that Melinex has a wide application range, and may be the suitable choice where other materials might distort or break down.

Uses of Melinex Film

In addition to its use in stampings and pressings, Melinex film has a wide range of uses across different applications because of its versatile and durable properties. Here are some of the main industries that utilise Melinex Film:

• Automotive: The automotive industry has a high number of uses for Melinex, especially in areas where high heat resistance is needed. It’s commonly found in components like insulation, seals, and gaskets.
• Packaging: Melinex is frequently used in clear packaging, particularly within the food and beverage industry due to some of its variations being compliant with food safety regulations. Its flexibility allows it to be produced in specific shapes, protecting items without releasing any harmful chemicals.
• Signage and Display: Due to its high performance and anti-shrinking capabilities, Melinex is found in several signage and display applications. This applies to outdoor signage also, due to its ability to withstand different temperatures and environmental conditions.
• Electronics: Melinex is used in electronics for its ability to insulate and protect certain electronic components. It is found in circuits and printed electronics due to its capability in holding its original form and chemical makeup, even when it’s exposed to wiring or heat-producing components. This is especially important because it can alleviate concerns about melting, releasing fumes, or toxic materials

Melinex in Precision Tooling and Pressing Applications

At European Springs and Pressings, we offer Melinex as a material for our pressings and stampings, in addition to other high-quality materials like metal strips, carbon and stainless steels, and superalloy. Melinex offers a selection of benefits including flexibility, heat-resistance, and durability, making it suitable for a number of applications and industries. To learn more about our bespoke stampings and pressings and the materials we utilise, get in touch to speak with a member of our expert team.

 

 

At European Springs and Pressings, we implement several procedures during our manufacturing process to ensure that the springs we create are of the highest quality and durability. One way we help to guarantee the longevity of our springs and pressings is through surface treatments such as stress relieving. 

Continue reading to learn more about stress relieving, including what exactly it entails, how it compares to other forms of heat treatment and how it can elevate the quality of a spring or pressing.  

What is Stress Relieving in Springs and Pressings?

Stress relieving is a process used within spring manufacturing that helps the spring or pressing last longer and makes it more reliable. It is a form of heat treatment in which the spring undergoes controlled heating and cooling processes so that newly coiled springs can become more malleable without the material being completely transformed. This needs to be a controlled process because if the spring or pressing is heated or cooled too quickly or slowly, then it is subject to breaking.  

As cooling processes occur, molecules are repositioned, so stress-relieved springs may look the same on the outside, but their internal makeup will be different. There is more than one type of stress relief for industrial springs. In addition to heated stress relief, there is also induction stress relief, which involves running an electric current through the springs, which still heats the spring to an optimal temperature. This method allows each spring to be stress relieved whilst keeping its place and orientation, producing a similar effect to the heat-treated spring relief. 

Stress Relieving versus Other Heat Treatments

Even though stress relieving employs heat treatment principles, it is generally not regarded as a form of heat treatment. The processes, methods, and final results of spring relieving are different from those of other heat treatments. For instance, a commonly used heat treatment is quenching, where the heated spring material is placed into oil, water, polymer or another quenching source. This is particularly useful for springs and pressings that need a high level of hardness. Moreover, tempering is a form of treatment that can be used after quenching, which reheats the quenched material to a lower temperature, improving strength and hardness.  

The treatment and temperature applied to the spring will generally depend on its material, type, and application. Most steel springs are heated to between 350°C and 650°C, with copper alloys needing lower temperatures, and nickel alloys needing higher ones. This will also impact the time needed for the stress relief process, with thicker springs needing more time than those of a thinner construction. The environment in which stress relief takes place is important, to avoid causing rust or damage to the spring or pressing.  

Why is Stress Relieving Beneficial for Springs?

Springs are used repeatedly and often must withstand heavy loads. Introducing stress relief into the manufacturing process helps to improve a spring’s lifespan and prevent it from cracking under pressure. Without stress relief, springs are more likely to change and contort over time, reducing their overall efficiency as a result. Even though the molecules inside the spring are more malleable, stress relieving does not change the hardness or material structure of the spring, so the springs still look and work the same. In addition, by increasing the strength and durability of the spring, stress relieving can be a cost-efficient measure as it’s less likely that the springs will need replacing. 

How does Stress Relieving Impact Spring and Pressing Quality?

Ultimately, stress relieving improves the spring and pressing quality and gives them longer-lasting capabilities. This process reduces the risk of failure or breakages over time, so that your mechanisms and machines are reliable. The shape of a spring can change during the stress-relieving process, mostly in its outer diameter. Stress relieving can decrease the overall diameter of a spring. However, this is dependent on the material, as with stainless steel springs, the diameter will actually increase. We will account for any changes such as these during our manufacturing process, and even though this initial change in shape may occur, in the long term, springs will be less likely to deform.  

When carrying out stress relief on your springs, we will choose the correct heat treatment for the material and specifications to ensure that the end result is perfect. Stress relieving is a crucial step to take within spring and pressing production that results in reliable, durable, and high-quality springs. We offer a range of surface treatments for our springs and pressings that can help them perform better for longer. To learn more about our stress relieving and other surface treatment options, then feel free to contact us.  

At European Springs and Pressings, we prioritise high-quality and consistent manufacturing practices in all of our products. As expert spring suppliers, we provide reliable spring and pressing manufacturing services certified by the internationally recognised ISO 9001 accreditation. This means that no matter where our customers are in the world, they can be assured that our springs and pressings are made using high-quality manufacturing processes.  

Continue reading to learn more about this certification, what it means, and why it is so vital within spring and pressing manufacturing. 

  

What is the ISO 9001 Certification? 

ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems (QMS), created by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This certification is regularly updated, and in order to be released, it has to be agreed upon by a majority of member countries so that it can be the internationally recognised standard. In order to achieve this accreditation, organisations must have demonstrated that they are able to follow the guidelines of the ISO 9001 standard, fulfil their own requirements, meet customer and regulatory requirements, and maintain documentation. 

There are 7 quality management principles implemented within the ISO 9001.  

1. Customer Focus: ensuring that organisations know their customers, and that customer satisfaction should be their primary focus. 
2. Leadership Importance of Top Management: highlights the importance of top management being responsible for implementing QMS.  
3. Engagement of People: focuses on integrating people throughout an organisation into QMS, and ensure their engagement in the process. 
4. The Process Approach: looks at the overall system as a set of small, related processes, assisting in its management.  
5. Improvement: requires organisations to continue improving to stay competitive, drive down costs, and maintain market share.  
6. Evidence-based decision making: to plan and assess improvements, organisations must make decisions based on the analysis and evaluation of data.  
7. Relationship management: encourages the management of relationships between customers, employees, and suppliers, to improve the overall performance of an organisation 

These 7 principles provide the foundation of the ISO 9001 certification, and are implemented by organisations that adhere to this accreditation. We are certified by the IS0 9001 to manufacture all classes of springs and pressings in wire and strip form, from 0.025mm to 15.0mm in diameter. This incorporates quantities from 1 to millions, including light assembly, using precision tools and fixtures. 

Why is the ISO 9001 Important in Spring and Pressing Manufacturing? 

The ISO 9001 is utilised in many different organisations and industries, due to its status as the international standard. In spring manufacturing, having the ISO 9001 certification means that the manufacturing process, from material sourcing to the final inspections, is carried out in a controlled and standardised manner.  

With an ISO 9001 certification, spring and pressing manufacturers can establish processes that provide consistent quality at every stage of production. With the customer-focused approach required by this accreditation, spring manufacturers are able to consult with customers at every stage of the production process and prioritise the customer’s needs when it comes to the final result. Moreover, by implementing a QMS that receives regular reviews and improvements, we are able to identify any issues both within our processes and in our products. This enables us to provide our customers with the best possible springs and streamline our manufacturing where necessary.  

By having ISO 9001, businesses like ourselves hold a sense of international credibility. This means you can rely on us to create products that are tried and tested and designed with your needs in mind. It’s just one among many reasons to trust us with your spring manufacturing needs.  

ISO 14001 Versus ISO 9001  

You may have heard of both the ISO 14001 and the ISO 9001, but what’s the difference between the two? To begin with, at European Springs and Pressings we are accredited with both the ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. They are awarded by the same regulatory body, but ISO 14001 covers environmental management systems (EMS) rather than QMS. EMS helps to control elements of environmental impact within an organisation. Like the ISO 9001, the ISO 14001 is applicable to all organisations and industries and is an internationally recognised standard.  

Organisations certified by ISO 14001 must prioritise improving energy efficiency, reducing waste where possible, and, of course, ensuring compliance with environmental regulatory bodies. EMS incorporates a set of policies, processes, plans, and practices to govern how an organisation interacts with the environment. Both of these certifications work together to ensure that we are bringing your products that have been manufactured with quality and the environment in mind.  

We hold an ISO 14001 certificate that confirms we operate an environmental management system which complies with requirements for the manufacture and distribution of springs and pressings, including light assembly.  

Quality and Consistency with European Springs and Pressings 

Both the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 play a crucial role in our spring and pressing manufacturing processes. They keep us accountable for providing consistent, high-quality results and ensure that we are monitoring and improving our processes regularly.  

By aligning our operations with these internationally recognised standards, we are able to deliver the best quality products in ways that are environmentally conscious and quality controlled. We have a proud register of accreditations that we implement into our daily manufacturing processes. 

Corrosion resistance is a vital consideration for many when choosing the correct material for applications where springs are exposed to moisture, humidity or other corrosive elements. Among the available options, stainless steel stands out as a top choice due to its excellent anti-corrosive properties, impressive tensile strength, and long-lasting durability. 

As spring manufacturers, we understand the importance of choosing the right material for your application. In this blog, we’ll explore why stainless steel is an ideal choice for corrosion-resistant springs and pressings, how it compares to other commonly used materials, and the applications where it truly excels. Whether you need guidance on material selection or insights into stainless steel’s unique advantages, we’re here to help. 

Why is Stainless Steel Suited for Corrosion Resistance?

Stainless steel is a form of iron alloy that can contain other metals such as nickel, titanium, copper, and others. The key feature that differentiates stainless steel from regular steel is its resistance to corrosion, typically because of its higher chromium content. For an iron alloy to be classified as stainless steel, it must contain at least 10.5% chromium, but most variations of stainless steel contain more than this. In comparison, regular steel contains around 10% chromium.  

The high chromium content creates an oxide layer on the surface of the steel, protecting it against oxidation and other effects of environmental exposure. This oxide layer is self-healing, so that if the surface is damaged in any way, the chromium in the steel reacts with the oxygen in the environment to form a new protective layer. The nickel within stainless steel also helps protect it against reducing atmospheres and certain acids such as phosphoric.   

The properties of stainless steel can be altered by adjusting the percentages of its make-up, allowing us to provide stainless steel springs and pressings that are particularly adapted to certain purposes. In addition to its corrosion resistance, stainless steel is often favoured because of its durability and high yield strength. Moreover, stainless steel keeps its structure and shape under extremely hot or cold conditions, making it a strong solution that can stand the test of time, and this is why it is used in things like cutlery.  

Stainless Steel Versus Other Corrosion-Resistant Materials

While stainless steel is often chosen for its corrosion resistance, it’s not the only spring material on offer that provides this quality. Other metals, including titanium and its alloys, phosphor bronze and some nickel-copper alloys, are considered in the selection of a corrosion-resistant spring material. Titanium, for example, is also resistant to corrosion and offers a lightweight solution where weight is a consideration, but it comes at a higher cost than stainless steel. Equally, springs and pressings made from nickel-copper alloys have an excellent resistance to corrosion caused by acids, alkaline solutions, and seawater but also come at a higher price point and are not as widely available for large-scale productions.   

We offer a variety of stainless steel alloys for spring and pressing manufacturing. These include regular stainless steel, stainless steels specifically designed for anti-corrosion, stainless steel for high temperatures, and non-magnetic stainless steel. The type of stainless steel chosen will depend on the application, and, therefore, must be carefully chosen to perfectly suit your requirements.  

Stainless Steel Spring and Pressing Applications

As one of the most common spring materials, stainless springs have a wide variety of applications within different industries.  

The most common types of springs that stainless steel can be found in are compression springs and torsion springs. Compression springs are one of the most versatile spring types and are particularly popular in the automotive, pulp and paper, and railway industries. They are also frequently found in oil rigs, medical devices, and aeronautics – where compression springs are used in aircraft engines, guidance systems, and turbines. Compression springs also exist in plenty of everyday items, such as watches, phones, pens, and cars.   

Pressings can also be made using stainless steel, as it not only offers a sleek aesthetic appearance but does not deteriorate like other coated steels when exposed to wet and damp environments. They are frequently found in areas where hygiene is a must, such as hospitals and dental surgeries, due to their ability to maintain sterile environments.   

Torsion springs often utilise stainless steel because of its strength and durability. This allows torsion springs to experience high levels of repeated stress and strain in environments of elevated humidity and moisture, ultimately making the springs last longer. Torsion springs are found in garage doors, clocks, watches, and various automotive applications where they withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments.  

Stainless steel springs are frequently used in the marine industry, where resistance to corrosion is a key concern. Some variations of stainless steel, such as 300 series stainless steel, have a higher chromium percentage of up to 25%, making them excellent for marine construction, including bridges, harbours, and ports. Variants of this material, like Stainless Steel Type 316, have a lower carbon content and a higher molybdenum content and are most suited to medical and hygiene applications where sterilisation is essential.  

European Springs and Pressings’ Expertise in Stainless Steel Spring Manufacturing

At European Springs and Pressings, we are experts in manufacturing high-quality stainless-steel springs and pressings. Choose from the range of springs we offer or create your own custom spring to meet your set of exact specifications and dimensions. If you need any guidance on selecting the right spring material for your application, then feel free to contact us.