Spring Additions To Lee Catalogue

Lee Springs has added beryllium copper battery springs, Redux wave springs, constant force springs and more sizes of Lite Pressure compression springs to its latest catalogue. The 172-page catalogue is due to be released in May 2009 and contains more than 16,500 different types of spring, including compression, extension, torsion and Belleville spring washers, plus engineers spring-selection kits. Battery springs provide fast, efficient and reliable contacts.

Beryllium copper, one of the hardest, strongest and most hard wearing copper alloys, improves the physical properties of the springs while a silver coating enhances electrical and thermal conductivity performance and makes soldering easier. These high-performance battery springs will appeal to engineers who are developing devices where high endurance and ruggedness are key requirements.

The springs supplement an existing range manufactured from nickel-coated music wire to match the nickel-plated containers used for most alkaline batteries. All the battery springs come in four mounting configurations - interior, exterior, adjustable, double - and are designed to adjust to varying battery lengths and provide secure, low contact resistance and dependable connections. Custom designs can also be produced. More than 200 new sizes of Redux wave springs have also been included and extend the maximum hole diameter in which they will operate to 44.45mm (1.75in).

Wave springs perform a similar function to compression springs but they take up to approximately 50 per cent less compressed height. Manufactured in stainless-steel type 17-7 PH, these springs offer optimum performance in static or slightly dynamic applications where space is critical or where radial and axial tolerances are tight. Manufactured from high-yield 301 stainless-steel strip, constant force springs exert a near-constant restraining force. The springs are usually tightly coiled on a drum and either the free end or the drum can be attached to the load.

Four life-cycle ranges are offered covering loads from 1.02-73.42N (0.23 to 16.50lb). Typical applications include counterbalance springs, car seatbelt and cable retractor mechanisms. 200 more sizes of the company's Lite Pressure compression springs in type 316 stainless steel have also been added. Designed to meet demands for compression springs combining low spring rates with large diameters, these high-index springs deliver 7-35kPa pressure at 80 per cent deflection.

Typical applications include valves, pistons, syringes, motor brushes, dispensers, contacts and toys. Lee Spring's custom spring design and manufacturing service has also been strengthened with a dedicated e-mail and technical team in place to handle the provision of tailored solutions.