Compression Springs
Compression Springs for Industrial and Technical Applications
Compression springs absorb forces by being compressed and release the stored energy when the load is removed. They are used in mechanical engineering, toolmaking, automotive engineering, electrical engineering, medical technology, plant engineering and equipment manufacturing.
Febrotec offers more than 10,000 compression springs and related spring elements in a wide range of dimensions, forces and materials. The product range includes conventional helical compression springs, die springs, conical springs and high-temperature ceramic compression springs. Mechanical m-Struts® are also available for particularly demanding environmental conditions.
Many standard versions are available directly from stock. If no suitable standard spring is available, compression springs can also be manufactured according to individual specifications.
Which Compression Spring Is Right for My Application?
The most suitable spring type mainly depends on the available installation space, the required spring travel, the required force and the environmental conditions.
Helical Compression Springs
Helical compression springs are the most commonly used type of compression spring. They are suitable for applications requiring a defined force over a specific spring travel.
The Febrotec range includes compression springs made from spring steel and stainless steel. They can be selected according to outside or inside diameter, wire diameter, free length, spring force and spring rate.
Typical applications include return mechanisms, valves, locking systems, electrical contacts, clamping elements and actuating mechanisms.
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Die Springs to DIN and ISO Standards
Die springs are designed for high forces in limited installation spaces. They are mainly used in punching, pressing, bending and forming tools, as well as in other dynamically loaded applications.
Selection is based on the hole diameter, rod diameter, free length, permissible spring travel and load class. Die springs are particularly suitable where high forces, frequent load cycles and compact dimensions are required.
View Die Springs to DIN and ISO Standards
Conical Springs
Conical springs have different coil diameters along their length. When compressed, the coils can partially move inside one another, allowing a particularly low solid height.
They are suitable for applications requiring a large spring travel but offering only limited installation height.
High-Temperature Ceramic Compression Springs
Ceramic compression springs are used where metallic springs are unsuitable due to high temperatures, aggressive media or special electrical requirements.
The springs are made from silicon nitride Si₃N₄. This material is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, non-magnetic and electrically insulating. Typical applications include sensors, electronics, soldering technology, medical technology, research and high-temperature systems.
View High-Temperature Ceramic Compression Springs
m-Struts® as a Mechanical Alternative to Gas Springs
m-Struts® generate a defined compression force using a purely mechanical operating principle. As they work without compressed gas and without gas-retaining seals, they are particularly suitable for dusty, contaminated, wet or chemically demanding environments.
They are available in different lengths, strokes, forces and materials.
How to Select a Suitable Compression Spring
The installation conditions, required spring travel and required forces should be determined before selecting a compression spring.
If the spring is guided inside a bore or sleeve, the outside diameter is particularly important. If it is guided over a rod or shaft, the inside diameter must be taken into account.
The spring rate is stated in N/mm. It indicates how many newtons the spring force changes when the spring is compressed by an additional millimetre.
The type of load is also important. In dynamic applications involving frequent load cycles, the spring travel and permissible load must be checked particularly carefully.
Spring steel is an economical solution for dry standard applications. Stainless steel offers increased corrosion resistance and is suitable for damp environments. Special materials or ceramic compression springs may be required for high temperatures, aggressive media or specific electrical and magnetic requirements.
Custom-Made Compression Springs
If no suitable spring is available from the standard range, we can manufacture compression springs according to your technical specifications.
For an initial assessment, we require the following information whenever possible:
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available installation length,
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outside or inside diameter,
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required spring travel,
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required spring forces,
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environmental conditions,
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required quantity.
A drawing, sample or photograph of the installation situation will help us assess your application more accurately.
Request a Custom-Made Compression Spring
Frequently Asked Questions About Compression Springs
Can a Compression Spring Be Compressed to Its Solid Height?
The solid height is the length of the spring when the coils are fully or almost fully in contact. It should not automatically be treated as the normal operating position. Repeated compression to the solid height may reduce the service life of the spring.
What Can I Do If No Standard Spring Fits?
If no suitable stock spring is available, we will be pleased to assess a custom-made spring or an alternative spring design.
Technical Support for Spring Selection
Are you unsure which compression spring is suitable for your application? Our technical team will help you select a stock spring or develop a customised solution.
Please send us the installation dimensions, required forces, spring travel and information about the environmental conditions.