extension springs in series
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Posted by: popethom ®

12/04/2006, 07:57:05

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I need some help with extension springs.

I need to hook 2 identical springs together in series and I am not really sure how to calculate the force.

I know how for one spring.
force equals initial tension plus rate times deflection.

If I hook together 2, does the force mulitply by 2? Is it the same?

Someone told me to use the following formula for calculating spring force for in series applications...
1/rate + 1/rate = 1/force

That doesn't make sense to me, maybe it's right, I don't know.

the spring I plan on using has the following specs...

free length 9"
rate 20 lbs/in
initial tension 24 lbs
suggested max deflection 3.2 "
suggested max load 87 lbs

the application required the deflection to be 2.5"

if I had two identical spring connected in series, both being stretched 2.5", what would my force be and how do I figure it out?

Thank you








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Re: extension springs in series
Re: extension springs in series -- popethom Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: swearingen ®

12/05/2006, 07:33:26

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The correct equation is:

1/rate + 1/rate = 1/system rate

So, if your spring has rate X, then your system rate, according to this formula, is X/2, or half the rate of your original springs.

Only if you put them side by side (in parallel) do the rates become additive.








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Re: Re: extension springs in series
Re: Re: extension springs in series -- swearingen Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: Kelly Bramble ®

12/05/2006, 08:06:24

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We have spring design related webpages here: /spring_menu.shtml







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