GARTER SPRINGS
For over 75 years, Stanley Spring & Stamping has been your single-source solution for all of your garter spring manufacturing, design, and production needs. Since the mid-1940’s we have produced the best quality springs and metal parts found anywhere. Our facility can produce outstanding garter springs, tailor-fit to your specific requirements. Our springs have been used in many products and applications over the years. We have great flexibility as it relates to the size, material, and thickness of the garter springs we can produce. Whatever the requirements are of your specific job, Stanley Spring can get the project done right and on time - every time.
What is a Garter Spring?
A garter spring is a coiled, circular-shaped spring that can be used in a variety of applications. Typical uses include shaft seals and oil seals, electrical connectors, and belt-driven motors. Garter springs are designed to withstand pressure from all directions. Due to this, they are very effective at handling changes in conditions such as temperature, pressure, and volume.
There are generally two kinds of garter springs – compression and extension.
Compression Garter Springs
This kind of spring is coiled, and their function is to exert a radial force from the center outward. Compression garter springs are usually constructed from thick gauge, steel wire, and formed in large coils. They are designed to manage huge loads while still being able to return to their designed, extended position. These types of springs are designed to store/hold potential energy when compressed and exert kinetic energy upon release. Due to their construction, compression garter springs can resist forces acting on it from the outside. Compression garter springs can be placed within a circular object to aid in the device’s ability to maintain its intended shape. This principle can be observed, for example, in one taking a tennis ball and squeezing into it. The ball does yield to the external pressure being put on it but once released, it returns to its original shape.
Extension Garter Springs
Extension garter springs do the actual opposite of compression springs. These springs are also coiled, but they exert inward, radial pressure that is focused toward the center. Extension springs hold potential energy while being extended and are always wanting to contract. These types of springs use thinner wire and additional coils, which allow them to snap back (contract) much faster. This is the kind of spring that functions well when working with pressurized gases and fluids. Because extension springs actually resist forces from the center, they can be placed on the outside of a circular object to maintain the object’s shape.
Manufacturing Process of Garter Springs
There are four primary stages regarding the creation of steel garter springs:
- Cutting & coiling the reels of steel wire - The strength of the spring will be based on the thickness of the wire used. Compression springs are designed to have their coils spaced apart, where extension springs have no distance between the coils.
- Joining the ends – The spring’s circular shape can be made by interlocking the loops at each end of the spring. Utilizing a short connector with a hook and loop or reducing the diameter of one end of the spring so that it fits into the other end. This is called a nib joint.
- Heat Treating – This involves putting a spring into a high temperature oven and allowing it to cool slowly.
- Final Touches – Depending on the need, these springs can ground, set, shot-peened, or coated.
Stanley Steel & Stamping can make your springs either out of carbon or stainless steel. Carbon steel springs cost less to produce and tend to have very high yield strengths. They also return to their original shape very quickly. We can even treat your springs if your application calls for it.
For over seven decades, Stanley Spring has been manufacturing the finest springs in the industry. We would love the opportunity to discuss your specific needs with you. When you partner with Stanley Spring & Stamping, you can rest assured that you have made an excellent business decision. We will put our team of dedicated, experienced professionals to work for you.
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