Session # (3,4)

Objective:
To verify the relationship spring constant spiral spring, number of turns of a coil spring.
To determine the stiffness of the spiral spring.

Theory:

Spring:
Springs are elastic bodies, also termed as a resilient member (generally metal), that can be
twisted, pulled or stretched by some force. They can return to their original shape when the force
is released.

Helical spring:
Helical spring is made of a wire coiled in the form of helix. Its cross sectional area is circular,
square or rectangular. As shown above, helical spring are further classified on the basis of force
that they experience.

Helical Tension Springs:

Characteristics:
• It stretches apart to create load.
• The gap between the successive coils is small.
• The wire is coiled in a sequence that the turn is at right angles to the axis of the spring.
• The spring is loaded along the axis.
• e) By applying load, the spring elongates in action as it mainly depends upon the end hooks
as shown in figure below.

Applications:
• Garage door assemblies
• Vise-grip piles
• Carburetors Figure

Helical Compression Springs:

Characteristics:
• The gap between the successive coils is larger.
• It is made of round wire and wrapped in cylindrical shape with a constant pitch between the
coils.
• By applying the load, the spring contracts in action.

There are mainly four forms of compression springs as shown in figure. They are as follows:

• Plain end
• Plain and ground end
• Squared end

Squared and ground end Among the four types, the plain end type is less expensive to
manufacture.

• It tends to bow sideways when applying a compressive load.

Applications:
• Ball point pens
• Pogo sticks
• Valve assemblies in engines

Torsion Springs:

Characteristics:
• It is also a form of helical spring, but it rotates about an axis to create load.
• It releases the load in an arc around the axis as shown in figure.
• Mainly used for torque transmission
• The ends of the spring are attached to other application objects, so that if the object rotates
around the center of the spring, it tends to push the spring to retrieve its normal position.

Applications:
• Mouse tracks
• Rocker switches
• Door hinges
• Clipboards
• Automobile starters

Spiral Springs
It is made of a band of steel wrapped around itself a number of times to create a geometric
shape.
Applications:
• Alarm Time-Piece
• Watch
• Automotive Seat Recliners

Apparatus:
• Coil Spring Apparatus
• Hanger • Weights
• Two masses on the arm unit

Procedure:
• Clamp the spring to give a number of active turns from 3 to 8 inclusive.
• Note the initial scale reading with the load hanger on the cord.
• Then add a weight and note the scale reading.
• Tabulate your results

Data & Calculations:

Stiffness = 238Nmm.
Cross-section = 10x1mm
Effective length: approx. = 800mm
Inside radius = 10mm
Outside radius = 50mm
Weights made of stainless steel
Mass = 0.5kg
Diameter = 50mm

Table:

Load Time for 20 oscillations Time for T2

(m) 1oscillation
kg (period
time) T
t1 t2 t3 t
0.5 6.65 6.58 6.60 6.61 0.33 0.11
0.5 8.31 8.53 8.47 8.44 0.42 0.18
0.5 11.08 11.25 11.16 11.16 0.52 0.31
0.5 12.07 12.6 12.55 12.41 0.62 0.38

Conclusion:
The amount the spring stretches plotted against the weight added to the hanger gives a straight
line that goes through the origin. This means that the extension of a spring is directly
proportional to the stretching force applied to it. It can be concluded that the Hooke's law holds
true for a metal spring. This is because the extension produced by the spring is directly
proportional to the force applied on it.