Used in a nearly limitless number of applications – from common household goods to vehicles and airplanes to medical devices and beyond – springs play a critical role in ensuring the proper functioning, safety, comfort, and longevity of the products they’re used in.
Before integrating a spring into a design, manufacturers must first validate the spring’s characteristics, including spring rate, strength, elasticity, and load capacity. Mark-10’s force and torque measurement equipment – including test frames, force sensors, grips, and accessories – can be used to help characterize springs at the manufacturing site, during incoming inspection, or as part of a final assembly quality check.
To see how to test springs with the Series F force measurement test frame and IntelliMESUR software, watch the video:
Why Do Springs Require Rigorous Testing?
Springs store and release energy, absorb shock, control torque, provide resistance, and evenly distribute force. They are used in many high-stakes applications, including:
Vehicles
- ✓ Suspension systems
- ✓ Braking systems
- ✓ Seatbelt retractors
Aerospace
- ✓ Landing gear
- ✓ Wing flaps
- ✓ Flight controls
- ✓ Engine components
Medical Devices
- ✓ Orthopedic implants
- ✓ Pacemakers
- ✓ Medicine pumps
- ✓ Surgical tools
Construction
- ✓ Bridge expansion joints
- ✓ Seismic dampers
- ✓ Elevators
Springs used in these critical applications must perform reliably in extreme conditions; if they fail, the consequences can be life-threatening.
To ensure a spring meets specified tolerances, complies with relevant industry safety and quality standards (e.g., ISO, ASTM), and doesn’t fail prematurely, it must be thoroughly tested. Requirements vary by industry and product type, but springs are typically tested during development, manufacturing, and final assembly quality checks.
