Compression Spring Component Generator dialog box - Design tab

Sets parameters for design of a compression spring. The springs that can be designed on a Design page are standard-sized springs - to design and calculate springs with your own values, switch to the Calculation page.

Access:

Ribbon: Design tab

Spring panel

Compression

Spring Reference Image

Click to display an image with the basic spring dimensions.

The image updates when the spring diameter parameter is changed to Inner, Median, or Outer.

The image does not update for changes in length, hook type, hook length, spring diameter value or wire diameter.

Placement

Use this section to specify a placement options, and the type of spring loaded state.

Note: When you specify full placement, the graphical preview with appropriate dimensions and spring type is created.

Axis	Select cylindrical face or axis.
Start Plane	Select work plane or face that can mate with the end of the spring. Note: When you specify the Axis and Start Reference placement, the graphical preview with appropriate dimensions and spring type is created - see the Graphical Preview section for more information.
Installed Length	Min. Load length is set based on the pre loaded spring length.
	Work Load length is calculated based on working force.
	Max. Load length is set based on the fully loaded spring length.
	Custom length is set by user.
Min., Work, Max. Custom Load Length	This edit field changes according to the load selected in the previous drop-down menu. Edit field is enabled for manual input only if you select Custom option in the Installed Length drop-down list, if you select other options the value is automatically calculated when you click Calculate.
Coil Direction	Since left-hand springs require special tooling, the coiling direction is right hand except for special conditions. If a spring is mounted over threads, the coil direction should be left hand so the coils do not hang up on the threads. If there are concentric springs, one spring should be left-handed.

Spring Wire

Enter or measure the wire diameter value.

Spring Start

Specify the parameters of the spring start.

Closed End Coils	Enter the total number of closed-end coils.
Transition Coils	Enter the transition coils value.
Ground Coils	Enter the total number of closed ends.

Spring End

Specify the parameters of the spring end.

Closed End Coils	Enter the total number of closed-end coils.
Transition Coils	Enter the transition coils value.
Ground Coils	Enter the total number of closed ends.

Spring Length

Use this section to define which parameters are entered and which are calculated - calculated parameters are grayed out.

Note: This area is disabled if you select the Compression Spring Design in the Spring Strength Calculation area of the Calculation tab.

Length Inputs	L0, t n	Calculates the number of spring coils for the specified wire diameter, length of unloaded spring and shape and size of spring hook.
	L0, n o	Calculates the size of a spring hook for the specified wire diameter, number of coils and length of unloaded spring.
	t, n L0	Calculates the loose spring length for the specified wire diameter, number of spring coils and shape and size of spring hook.
Loose Spring Length	Specifies the length of the active coils plus the end coils.
Pitch	Specify the coil pitch.
Active Coils	Specify the spring number of active coils.

Spring Diameter

Use the drop-down list to specify which spring dimensions are the inputs for the calculation, and which dimension is calculated.

Note: According to drop-down selection, the name of the edit field in this area changes to Inside Diameter, Mean Diameter, or Outside Diameter.

Outer	Mean and inner spring diameters are calculated for the specified wire diameter and outside spring diameter.
Median	Inner and outside spring diameters are calculated for the specified wire diameter and mean spring diameter.
Inner	Mean and outside spring diameters are calculated for the specified wire diameter and inside spring diameter.

Results

To display the Results area on the right side of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line on the right or click the chevron.

Results area displays appropriate results which need to be calculated to get all proper dimensions of spring. Click Calculate to display the values. The units of the results values can be changed. Double-click the specified value you want to change.

Following output parameters are displayed in the Results pane:

Spring Index (c)
Mean Spring Diameter (D)
Outside Spring Diameter (D 1 )
Inside Spring Diameter (D 2 )

For further description of the calculated parameters in metric or English units, see Engineer's Handbook.

Summary of Messages

Displays the reports about calculation. To open the Summary of Messages area at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line at the bottom of tabs or click the chevron at the bottom of the tabs.

Graphical Preview

A graphical preview of the selected geometry is displayed in Autodesk Inventor. You can use grips to specify compression spring diameter, wire diameter, move the spring along its axis, and change the number of coils. (Double-click the grip to edit the value).

1. Use the grip to specify the spring diameter.

2. Use the grip to specify the wire diameter.

3. Use the grip to move the spring along its axis.

4. Use the grip to change the number of coils.

Toolbar commands