Why is a barrel spring used as opposed to a regular compression spring?
A barrel spring is used to produce linear force where the outer diameter, at both the top and bottom, is smaller than the center outer diameter. Many Stanley Spring customers choose a barrel spring over a normal compression spring for the following reasons:
- Reduces space
- Prevents buckling
- More options as there are a wide variety of shaped configurations to choose from to fit in any design
Let’s take a further look into why a Stanley barrel spring may be the perfect fit for your needs!
Barrel springs prevent buckling. When the pressure gets to be too much, springs will buckle or bow in order to get away from this pressure. Buckling can be prevented on a regular spring by placing it in a hole or over a shaft, but if this is not possible, a barrel spring can be used. A barrel spring is wider in the center than on the ends, so the pressure is distributed differently, allowing for better stability.
In addition, design restrictions for regular compression springs can cause a solid height conflict, which occurs when compressed coils are crammed on top of each other during compression, to the point where they can’t be compressed any longer. This may be an issue in your chosen design. Barrel springs could be the answer, as the smaller coils on the top and bottom of the spring will compress into the larger coils in the center, resulting in a solid height reduction.
Barrel springs are commonly used in the following industries:
At Stanley Spring, we’ll discuss your specific areas of need as well as the necessary applications in which barrel springs could be the best option for your company.
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