Product category:
Springs, dampers, latches, locks and small components
News Release from: Lee Spring
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 November 2000
Golden Hand Shake on display at
Manufacturing Week
A hand sculptured entirely from springs and finished in antique gold was unveiled for its first public viewing on the Lee Spring stand at the Manufacturing Week exhibition, NEC, Birmingham
A hand sculptured entirely from springs and finished in antique gold was unveiled for its first public viewing on the Lee Spring (stand No 1515) at the Manufacturing Week exhibition, NEC, Birmingham November 7 - 9 Called the 'Golden Hand Shake' because of its form, this original and handsome work of art is constructed from stainless and carbon steel compression and extension springs from Lee Springs' stock spring range
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 7 Feb 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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(Try as they may the company could not incorporate any of its torsion springs on the sculpture!).
It has taken many weeks to produce and presented its creators with some interesting engineering challenges.
Over 100 springs of various sizes and sections have been used to produce the hand.
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The first problem was to decide on a lifelike form and then replicate this in springs.
Even more challenging was the method of manufacture.
After many weeks of evaluating the portfolios of several leading sculptors in metal the project was almost abandoned as none of the artists appeared to have the welding technology to handle spring material sections that range from less than 1mm up to 6mm.
It became apparent that only a highly skilled welder could undertake the task and so The Welding Institute (TWI), the world centre for materials joining technology, at Cambridge was contacted.
Colin Eileens, Programme Manager - Welder Training at TWI, undertook to produce the masterpiece.
Initially a model was mechanically constructed with the aid of copious amounts of 'Blue Tack'.
Welding commenced once the configuration was approved.
Colin elected to TIG weld the carbon steel base but silver solder the springs so he could exercise complete control over the heat required to join the different sections of springs together.
This latter part of the process was absolutely critical, as too much heat would simply destroy the smaller section springs.
Over a period of several weeks he built the hand, spring by spring, using TWI's extensive facilities.
On completion the next phase was finishing.
Several companies were approached but only one, Ingram and Glass an ISO 9002 approved specialist finisher in Godalming, Surrey, seemed to appreciate the difficulties and was very clear about what could be achieved, given the intricate form of the sculpture.
An electroplated gold finish over a substantial bright nickle base coat was recommended.
This gave a smooth deposit with a hardness of about 120 VPN while allowing for stress and providing corrosion protection.
The finish was applied under tightly controlled conditions in the company's on-site test laboratory facility.
'Golden hand shake' has already been under the glare of photographers' flashlights at a private showing and will feature in advertising and promotional work for Lee Spring over the coming months. Request free introductory details about products from Lee Spring ...
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