Product category:
Engineering Industry Developments and Awards
News Release from: Institute Of Spring Technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 August 2003
Clockwork springs bounce back to
prominence
A novel research project is looking at ways in which clockwork spring mechanisms can replace batteries in electronic products.
The IST is the lead partner in a project due to be completed in October 2003, supported by the DTI and EPSRC under the STI programme The other partners are the British Toy and Hobby Association, Spiroflex, Harris Springs, Morphy Richards and the University of Bradford
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 14 Aug 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Extension spring design software upgraded
The Institute of Spring Technology offers a range of spring design software, which is continuously being updated in line with new technology.
Springs put to the test
The Institute of Spring Technology has released a new range of manually operated spring load testers.
Clockwork springs have always been used for energy storage; however electrical power has increasingly been used for small consumer products.
The number of batteries used each year is enormous and the hazardous materials used in their construction mean that battery disposal is a serious environmental concern.
Advances in electrical products mean that these devices require less power consumption and micro-power electronics could allow a stable supply of power from clockwork-powered generators.
This project will investigate the use of springs as a viable alternative to battery power.
The aim of the project is to: develop improved software for constant force spring analysis; survey the UK industry for small battery-operated consumer products and identify potential applications for battery replacement by springs; perform comparison of power/weight/space envelope for spring versus battery; perform life cycle analysis for springs and environmental impact for spring versus battery; identify manufacturers' requirements and disseminate information at specific meetings; and develop an industrial network for the discussion of springs.
• Institute Of Spring Technology: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
