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Deflection of Compression, Extension and Torsion Springs

Compression Springs Compression Springs

Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value
Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!

Outside Diameter
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Inside Diameter
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Free Length
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Wire Diameter
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Total Coils
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Rate
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Material Type
Max. Load
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Max. Deflection
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Solid Height
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*Required Field
Extension Springs Extension Springs

Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value
Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!

Outside Diameter
to
Length Inside Hook
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Wire Diameter
to
Max. Load
to
Max. Deflection
to
Initial Tension
to
Rate
to
Material Type
*Required Field
Torsion Springs Torsion Springs

Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value
Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!

Outside Diameter
to
Inside Diameter
to
Total Coils
to
Free Position
to
Wire Diameter
to
Body Length
to
Max. Torque
to
Max. Deflection
to
Rate
to
Leg Length
to
Material Type
*Required Field
Conical Springs Conical Springs

Input results shown will be +/- 10% from middle value
Hint: The closer your min and max inputs are, the more accurate your results will be!

Small Outside Diameter
to
Large Outside Diameter
to
Free Length
to
Rate
to
Total Coils
to
Solid Height
to
Wire Diameter
to
Material Type
*Required Field

Definition

Spring deflection, also known as spring travel, is the action of a compression spring compressing (being pushed), an extension spring extending (being pulled), or a torsion spring torquing (radially) when a load is applied or released.

In order for deflection to take place on a compression, extension or torsion spring, a load must be either applied or removed. The distance between the loaded length or position and the free or pre-loaded position is known as distance of travel. A traveled distance is exactly what deflection is. Whether it is pushed, pulled, or torqued. Spring deflection is deeply related to your spring’s rate.

Example 1.)

Spring rate is the amount of force it’ll take your spring to deflect a certain amount of distance traveled. To calculate the amount of deflection you may achieve under a certain load, you may calculate it by dividing the required load by the spring rate. If this is an extension spring, you must subtract the initial tension from the load first. In case that you are only aware of your spring’s required loaded state, subtract the loaded height or position from the free position or length of your spring.

 

Calculate Deflection Using Spring Rate:

Deflection=Load÷Rate

D=L÷k

Deflection=(Load–Initial Tension)÷Rate

D=(L–IT)÷k

 

Calculate Deflection Using Loaded Position:

Deflection=Loaded Position–Free Position

D=LP–FP

Example Diagrams

Example Of Extension Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free State And The Other At Extended LengthExample Of Extension Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free State And The Other At Extended Length
Example Of Torsion Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free Position And The Other At Torqued PositionExample Of Torsion Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free Position And The Other At Torqued Position

Example 2.)

The diagrams provided to the right tell you exactly how the formulas provided work. You may also read other technical articles under the “Tech Info” tab on our menu. There are multiple articles talking about compression spring design as well as extension spring design and torsion spring design. The calculator will automatically calculate the spring rate along with maximum safe travel or deflection and maximum safe load. If you follow the rate formula and example below, you will notice that these values (maximum safe load and travel) are each the product of each other.

 

Calculate Deflection and Load from Each Other:

Deflection = Load ÷ Rate

D=L÷k

Load = Deflection * Rate

L=Dk

Calculate Deflection Using Loaded Length

Example Of Compression Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free Length And The Other At Loaded LengthExample Of Compression Spring Deflection Showing One Spring In Its Free Length And The Other At Loaded Length