Spring Calculator

The Spring Calculator command solves for spring rates and unit stresses based on compression spring parameters.

To calculate a spring rate:

1.	Select Machine Design > Spring Calculator.

The Spring Calculator dialog box opens.

2.	Edit the compression spring parameters. To add to the list of available parameter values, see Adding User-defined Information to Commands.

 

Parameter	Description
Units	Sets the spring dimension units to Inches, cm, or mm
Method	Select the method; as data is entered, the other dimensions are automatically calculated
Dimensions	The fields available depend upon the Method and the Type of Ends selected
Outside Diameter	Enter the outside diameter
Mean Diameter	Enter the mean diameter
Wire Diameter	Enter the wire diameter
Solid Height	Enter the solid height
No. of Active Coils	Enter the number of active coils
Type of Ends	Select Closed and Ground, Open and Ground, Closed, or Open to set the type of ends on the spring
Properties	The properties of the spring can be selected from the list or manually entered
Material	Select the material to be used for the spring or select <Other> to set the Modulus of Elasticity manually
Mod. of Elasticity	Automatically entered based on the material selected; displayed in pounds per square inch, newtons per square centimeter, or newtons per square millimeter, depending on selected units. If <Other> was selected, enter the Modulus of Elasticity manually.
Spring Rate	Automatically calculated based on the spring parameters; displayed in the selected units
Unit Stress	Automatically calculated based on the spring parameters; displayed in the selected units
Place 2D spring on drawing	Select to draw a 2D spring according to the above parameters; if both checkboxes are selected, the 2D and 3D springs are automatically aligned in the drawing
Place 3D spring on drawing	Select to draw a 3D spring according to the above parameters; if both checkboxes are selected, the 2D and 3D springs are automatically aligned in the drawing

3.	Click Close to exit the calculator.