Knowledge Centre
Spring Testing
Spring Testing
Spring Testing is a measure of the compression or tension force exerted by a spring at a specific deflection or length, or the deflection or length of a spring at a specific force.
Springs can be found virtually everywhere and the reliability of a multitude of products depends critically upon springs, including:
- Aircraft systems
- Automobiles
- Buildings
- Medical devices
- Musical instruments
- Racing cars
- Satellites
- Scientific and engineering instruments
- Switches
- Tools
- Trains
Wherever there are springs and spring-like components, virtually all have to be tested.
Springs exert a specific force at a specific length, If springs do not perform correctly the results can be anything from quality-critical to safety critical. Once they have been excercised or 'scragged', springs are often tested many times in a cyclic test procedure and some spring life tests can last for thousands of cycles.
Benefits of Spring Testing
These include:
- Ensuring the integrity and safety of products
- Ensuring the proper functioning of springs and spring activated products
- Establishing and maintaining consistency in manufacture
- Compliance with industry standards
Standards
Every spring has its engineering drawing specifying a force at length(s), or a length at force(s), and usually a spring rate. The only way to ensure correct performance is to test for this on appropriate equipment. Over the years a number of national and international spring test standards have been developed, such as:
- ASTM A 125-96 Standard Specification for Steel Springs, Helical, Heat-Treated
- BS 1726-1:2002 Cylindrical Helical Springs Made From Round Wire and Bar. Guide to Methods of Specifying, Tolerances and Testing. Compression Springs
- BS 1726-2:2002 Cylindrical Helical Springs Made From Round Wire and Bar. Guide to Methods of Specifying, Tolerances and Testing. Extension Springs
- BS 1726-3:2002 Cylindrical Helical Springs Made From Round Wire and Bar. Guide to Methods of Specifying, Tolerances and Testing. Torsion Springs
- DIN 2192 Flat Springs - Requirements and Testing
- JIS B 2704 Helical Compression and Extension Springs - Requirements for Design, Performance Test Method
