Product category:
Springs, dampers, latches, locks and small components
News Release from: TFC | Subject: Spirawave springs
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 12 May 2003
Spring impresses in compressor
application
A compressor manufacturer has employed flat-wire Spirawave springs from TFC to provide a tailored solution to a unique design challenge.
A compressor manufacturer has employed flat-wire Spirawave springs from TFC to provide a tailored solution to a unique design challenge Prior to TFC's involvement, the twin-screw compressor manufactured by the company had used a disc-spring stack to preload the main rotor bearings
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 29 Nov 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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However, there were several problems associated with this spring method.
One such problem was the tolerance build up in the confined axial space of the assembly.
Coupled with the high spring rate generated by the disc-spring stack, this meant that the spring forces generated at the operating heights were too high.
In turn, this resulted in excessive wear of the bearings.
Disc springs also presented a problem in that they had to be supplied to the assembly line pre-assembled in a stack to avoid the possibility of incorrect assembly of either the number or orientation of the springs.
Having assessed the situation, TFC reasoned that a bespoke Smalley Crest-to-Crest Spirawave spring could replace the disc-spring stack.
As well as providing enhanced performance, Spirawave springs are drawn from a single, continuous length of wire, meaning that a bespoke solution could be produced with no associated tooling costs.
The TFC Spirawave solution offered an improved working range, reducing the spring rate at both the highest and lowest operating heights and a guaranteed load of between +/-10% of the requirements.
As a single, easy to assemble component, the in-situ costs of the Spirawave spring were also significantly less than the disc-spring implementation.
"This is another example of the benefits that Spirawave springs can bring to compressor manufacturers", commented Brian Goode, Technical Director at TFC.
"In our capacity as consultant to design engineers, it is important for us to deliver such solutions and provide greater efficiency in terms of functionality and cost". Request a free brochure from TFC ...
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