Category: Engineering

If you’re just getting started in the spring manufacturing industry, you may be a little overwhelmed at the number of terms and various jargon you come across. Although the day you finally understand what each piece of terminology means might seem far away, we’re here to help.

European Springs, Ireland, are market leaders and have almost 74 years of experience in the industry. We love sharing our knowledge and passing down our expertise to the younger generations, helping them to advance within the manufacturing and engineering sector. This is why we offer apprenticeship schemes and actively encourage those interested in the industry to start a career. To find out more about the work we do and get involved yourself, please get in touch with our team – we’re always more than happy to assist.

Furthermore, in today’s blog, we’re providing a starting point for those beginning their careers in spring manufacturing by offering a list of common jargon used in the industry. Additionally, if you’ve worked in spring manufacturing for many years, don’t go anywhere. You may just pick up some new and valuable information.

Our Glossary of Spring Manufacturing Terminology

Without further ado, here is a list of spring manufacturing jargon.

A

Active Coils – These are the coils inside the spring that are free to move after loading the spring.

Angular Relationship of Ends – The position of the hooks of tension springs, for example, next to each other.

B

Baking – Releasing hydrogen embrittlement through heating.

Buckling – The bowing or deflecting of compression springs during loading.

C

Closed Ends – The ends of a compression spring where the pitch of the end of the coil is reduced.

Closed and Ground Ends – The ends of a compression spring where the coils’ pitch is ground square and flat.

Close-wound – Coils with adjacent coils touching each other.

D

Dead Coils – Coils of a spring that don’t affect the spring rate.

Deflection – This is what happens when a spring responds to force being applied or released.

E

Elastic Limit – The limitation of a spring’s stress before it is permanently set.

Endurance Limit – The limit of a spring’s lifetime.

Extension Spring – This is another term used for a tension spring.

F

Fatigue – The type of defeat which takes place after repeated or fluctuating stresses below the limit of the spring.

Fatigue Strength – Another term for Endurance Limit, referring to the limit of a spring’s lifetime.

Free Angle – The angle between the arms of an unloaded torsion spring. Additionally, this could also refer to the position of the torsion spring’s legs.

Free Length – The length of a spring in an unloaded position.

Frequency – This refers to the rate of vibration coming off a spring whilst both ends are grasped or attached.

H

Heat Setting – Reducing the load loss at the operating temperature by putting a spring under an elevated temperature.

Helix – Meaning round or circular.

Hooke’s Law – A Law of Physics by Robert Hooke – the load is proportional to the deflection.

Hooks – The ends of an extension spring after being bent out to form hooks.

Hot Pressing – Another term for Heat Setting.

Hourglass Spring – This is a spring with coil diameters that are larger at the end.

Hydrogen Embrittlement – This happens when hydrogen is absorbed in electroplating, making them perceptible to cracks and failing under constant loads.

Hysteresis – When the mechanical energy is lost due to cyclic loading.

I

Initial Tension – The force gathered between the coils of an extension spring, making them stay together.

L

Load – The weight or force being applied to a spring.

Loops – Another term for hooks and sometimes referred to as eyes.

M

Mean Coil Diameter – This is the outside spring diameter (O.D.) minus one wire diameter (d).

Modulus in Shear or Torsion – Referring to the coefficient of stiffness used for compression and extension springs, also known as Modulus of Rigidity.

Modulus in Tension of Bending – Coefficient of stiffness for torsion and flat springs. Also known as Young’s Modulus and Modulus of Elasticity.

O

Open Ends – The final coils in the compression spring.

Open Ends, Ground – When the wire’s end is ground, it lets it stand.

P

Parallelism – The level to which two ground ends of a spring run parallel.

Passivating – Treating stainless steel with acid to remove contaminants and improve corrosion resistance.

Permanent Set – When a spring is deflected past its elastic limit and maximum safe load, Permanent Setting occurs. The spring loses its force and memory and will not return to its original length.

Pitch – The space between two coils in open wound springs such as compression springs.

Plain Ends – End coils of a tension spring that have no loops or other end forms.

Poisson’s Ratio – The ratio of the strain in the longitudinal direction to the strain in the transverse direction.

R

Rate – This is the change in load proportional to the change in deflection. It is usually given in lb/in or N/mm.

Remove Set – This refers to the process of closing to solid height, which was coiled longer than the original desired finished length. This increases the apparent elastic limit.

Residual Stress – The deflection of a spring available past the top working position up to the solid position.

S

Shot Peening – This refers to the process of a spring that has been cold-worked and where the surface of the material is peened to cause compressive stress. This is often done to improve fatigue life.

Slenderness Ratio – Ratio of spring length (L) to the mean coil diameter (D).

Solid Height – This is the height of a compression spring once it’s been fully compressed and all of its coils are touching.

Spring Index – Ratio of mean coil diameter (D) to the wire diameter (d).

Stress Range – The difference between operating stresses at minimum and maximum loads.

Stress Relieved – This is the process of subjecting springs to low-temperature heat treatment to relieve residual stress.

T

Torque – This is the product of the distance from the spring axis to the loading point and the force component to the distance line – often portrayed in N/mm. This is also sometimes known as Moment.

Total Number of Coils – The amount of active and inactive coils in a spring.

W

Wahl Factor – This corrects stress in helical spring’s effects of curvature and direct shear.

Are You Interesting in Learning More?

Although this is not an exhaustive list, we hope it has been helpful, and you now have a better understanding of some of the spring manufacturing jargon you will encounter during your work in the industry.

As leading spring suppliers and spring manufacturers in Ireland, we’re here if you need further assistance understanding any of the terminologies in today’s blog Please get in touch to enquire about any of our products or more information about our apprenticeship schemes.

Engineering has come a long way since ancient times, and we’re able to invent and create incredible things that we wouldn’t have been able to comprehend years ago. Initially, engineering was considered to be inventions such as the wheel. Since then, engineering has advanced tremendously, with advances in technology and the digital world to thank. As a result, the engineering industry now use machines and software to develop incredible designs and structures. We welcome new engineering techniques to create bespoke springs and pressings as spring suppliers.

 

 

However, some works of ancient engineering still impress and amaze us today due to the level of advancement at such an early time. We take a look back at some of the world’s most impressive ancient engineering pieces that still stand to this day.

 

Göbekli Tepe

This stone creation is incredible to view, with its massive stone pillars arranged into a set of rings. Foxes, snakes, boars, and other animals are carved into the stone as 2D pictures and 3D models. But what makes this collection of rough stones remarkable is that it’s thought to have been built around 9000 B.C. That’s so early that it predates farming; it also predates Stonehenge by 6000 years. The largest of the stones is 18 feet tall and weigh around 60 tonnes, so the question remains, in a time before farming, how did these ancient people build this fantastic work of architecture?

Researchers have found that the Göbekli Tepe was built using limestone and followed a strict architectural plan. It was cleverly designed so that if a line were to be drawn through the centre points of three of its enclosures, it would form a near-perfect equilateral triangle. In details like this and its pre-historic age, the Göbekli Tepe remains one of the unique archaeological pieces today.

 

 

Coliseum Wonders

The coliseums are impressive enough as they are, but what amazes modern-day scientists is the lengths to which the Romans would go for a good show. One such form of entertainment featured the re-enactment of epic naval battles. The Colosseum would be flooded with water and filled with ships which slaves and prisoners of war were forced to board and act out battles. Archaeologists discovered that they used a system of aqueducts that led to the arena.

The most famous Colosseum in Rome was built in 70 A.D. using tufa blocks, a variety of limestone. Arches and Vaults were built into the design to create solidity in the structure, an addition that worked well as the structure still stands today. The Romans also used efficient techniques such as building seats and stairs in a workshop to be installed on-site later. This saved them time in construction and highlighted that efficiency has always been at the forefront of engineering. At European Springs, we also adopt efficient methods to create high-quality springs, such as clock springs.

 

Derinkuyu’s Underground City

In 1963, a man of the Nevşehir Province of Turkey discovered the underground city of Derinkuyu when he knocked down a wall in his home and found an intricate tunnel system. This vast city dates back to somewhere between the 15^th century and 12^th century B.C. What’s truly incredible about the city is the depth to which it goes. It’s fascinating to think that those who built and excavated it would have been equipped with primitive tools, yet they were able to create a city large enough to house around 20,000 people.

The underground city was built using the debris from previous volcanic eruptions. The layers of built-up ash solidified to create a stable rock which they then used to carve living spaces out of. The city consists of multiple rooms, including a church, storage rooms and wine cellars and is open for tourists to visit in Turkey.

 

 

How Engineering Has Changed Since Ancient Times

Though these magnificent pieces of engineering remain to this day, it is clear to see that modern engineering has come on leaps and bounds. Technology is now commonly used in engineering, allowing us to design using the most innovative technologies and techniques. For example, at European Springs, we use the latest machinery and technology to manufacturer all types of springs and pressings. Without these latest advancements, we wouldn’t be able to deliver the excellent service you see today.

Springs did not appear until around the 15^th century, made initially using casts and bronze. Though they still served their purpose, the latest machinery allows us to create a bespoke spring of different sizes tailored to its required job, which would not have been possible in ancient times.

 

Here at European Springs, we’re fascinated by the evolution of engineering and how far we have come in the past few thousand years. We’re suppliers of a whole range of products essential to the engineering world, including gas springs in Ireland. For more information about any of our products or services, please get in touch with us today by calling 028 9083 8605 to speak to a member of our team.

 

European Springs and Pressings Ltd is one of the very best spring manufacturers in Ireland and across the globe. Over the last 70 years, we’ve built our reputation on quality, gaining certification at industry standard.

We believe that it’s our quality products, materials and efficient processes that help to maintain customer satisfaction, loyalty and reduce the risk and cost of replacing faulty goods.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the importance of quality in manufacturing, including equipment and machinery, customer satisfaction and advancing processes.

Equipment, Machinery and Technology

By automating processes within our manufacturing facility, we’re able to create high-volume orders at speed.

Each of our manufacturing plants has the capacity to produce approximately 3,000,000 components per hour. Our CNC machinery boosts efficiency and productivity while also being reliable, accurate and fast.

We invest in the latest machinery for our facilities and adapt to incorporate the most innovative technologies and techniques. Our workforce is important to us, which is why we continuously develop and train our people. Our dedicated team is one of the most experienced that you could ever wish to see.

Reputation for Quality and Customer Satisfaction

As one of the oldest and most respected spring manufacturers globally, we’re able to provide you with a comprehensive assortment of springs. We believe what sets us apart is our ability to tailor our products, which gives you a choice from almost any custom specification.

Our springs are fundamental components in a wide range of industries, fulfilling essential roles in the automotive, telecommunication, pharmaceutical and offshore sectors. We’re capable of delivering products of the highest standard in accordance with the tightest of deadlines.

Our stock catalogue contains over 12,000 standard items, including universal compression springs, torsion springs and tension springs. We can also create bespoke springs that are suitable for any job or application.

Maintaining and Complying with Industry Standards

Our premises are equipped to support the needs of our clients operating within the aerospace, automotive, defence, domestic appliance, electronics, hydraulics, lighting, medical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, scientific and telecommunication industries.

We augment our spring manufacturing processes with a variety of on and off-site finishing techniques to provide the best quality for our clients. This includes treatments like plating, powder coating, polishing, shot peening and barrel rumbling to ensure that our springs are optimised to perfection.

We are also proficient in riveting, conventional and ultrasonic welding or brazing; giving you confidence that any final assembly will be just as superior as the individual components.

As an experienced spring manufacturer, we know how to design and produce springs to the best possible standard. We have a proven track record for delivering positive results during even the most challenging projects.

High Quality Materials and Advanced Processes

Our manufacturing process is centred around using quality materials. As such, we specialise in sourcing specific materials to meet the most demanding production standards.

By using quality materials, we can guarantee that each of our springs meets a uniformly strong quality level, and our manufacturing processes are just as advanced.

---

With over 70 years of experience as a spring manufacturer, we like to keep our finger on the pulse of the latest developments and sustainability practices within the manufacturing industry.

If you would like any more information about any of the services or products that we provide, please contact European Springs Ireland with your enquiry. Our experienced team will be happy to answer your questions.

It would be difficult to overstate the massive impact COVID-19 has unleashed on virtually every industry operating in today’s market. The manufacturing sector has been particularly hard hit thanks to logistical issues surrounding social distancing measures and quarantine protocols, as well as supply chain issues brought about by increased demand for certain products.

However, despite these significant challenges, a recent survey of senior voices in the manufacturing industry revealed that many companies had experienced revenue growth over the past year. Rather than crippling manufacturers, tough economic conditions have actually forced them to become more resilient and streamline their operational processes. In many ways, we are witnessing the beginning of a manufacturing revolution that will see the industry become more flexible, robust, and adaptive to shocks.

With this in mind, we’ve collated a heartening list of things to expect from the manufacturing industry in 2021 as it evolves in line with a complex socio-economic environment.

COVID-19 Vaccines Will Improve Output Levels

The most exciting recent development for the manufacturing industry is the speedy creation of a whole host of effective vaccines against COVID-19. As a range of vaccines is rolled out over the coming months, we can expect businesses and public spaces to gradually phase out distancing measures.

This means that factory floors will see an increase in staff members, and production will start to approach pre-pandemic levels. This is great news for businesses that rely heavily on workers rather than automated machines.

It is unlikely, however, that manufacturing companies will operate in precisely the same way as before COVID-19 struck, as many will already have invested in new technologies or systems designed to improve efficiency.

Manufacturers Will Adapt To High Demand From Clients And Consumers

Demand for some products is currently surging thanks to the pandemic’s impact on people’s lifestyle habits. This means that many manufacturers are under pressure to produce high-quality items in larger volumes than ever before. By extension, the relationship between manufacturers and their clients is likely to become ever more important, with the former prioritising total transparency and immaculate customer service to ensure they retain a loyal customer base. Many manufacturing firms are also likely to become more attentive to the needs of customers, placing a greater emphasis on data-driven insights to inform their operational strategies.

Production Will Become Increasingly Localised

The pandemic has prompted many people to think about their consumption habits more closely, particularly as they have had time to think about the environmental and ethical impacts of imported goods. This, combined with the fact that the world is experiencing a number of trade wars and tariff negotiations that are sending supply chains into disarray, means that the manufacturing sector is likely to place a greater emphasis on the importance of purchasing local goods.

There are many advantages to selling locally, including better resilience to economic shocks, faster time to market, and lower production costs. In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated a trend that was already taking place.

Manufacturers Will Invest In Digital Technologies

COVID-19 has exposed many of the shortcomings of manufacturing companies that rely on constant access to physical workspace and a large labour force. Fortunately, there are plenty of digital technologies out there to address such issues, including machine learning, robotics, edge computing, the 5G network, sensors, and cloud computing. Companies who invest in such technologies will see their supply chains become much more resilient in the coming years and, as a result, are likely to experience strong investment and growth.

At the same time, tech companies will keep improving their offerings and cater to manufacturers intent on diversifying their operations.

Sustainability Will Become Ever More Important To Consumers

In recent months and years, consumers have become very aware of the manufacturing industry’s contribution to climate change and environmental pollution. This awareness has become very acute throughout the pandemic as people have had more time to reflect on their consumption habits.

As such, manufacturers will need to think about selling themselves as green companies. This could be done by cutting back on waste, using recycled materials, or switching to green sources of energy. In the long term, manufacturers will likely try and move everything under one roof to ensure maximum efficiency. Having one factory, rather than several scattered across the country can help to reduce transport costs, materials, storage and duplication, as well as having a number of environmental benefits.

Companies Will Create Better Jobs

Thanks to the introduction of new technologies, manufacturers will be in a position to offer better-paying and more rewarding jobs in the near future. Workers are likely to become more involved in the logistical, technological and strategic tasks rather than in manual jobs.

As one of the most reliable and highly praised spring manufacturers in Europe, we at European Springs & Pressings are excited to see what 2021 has in store. We are confident that we will go from strength to strength as the manufacturing industry evolves. If you have any questions about any of our products and services, do not hesitate to contact us.