Torsion Spring Tester Guide

What is a torsion spring tester?

A torsion spring tester is a machine that is dedicated to measure the various dimensions that are related to a torsion spring, including the lengths, angles, and torque, etc. With the assistance of the torsion spring tester, the torsion springs are able to be classified depending on the results of the measurements, in order to provide the parameters for the compatible applications.

Torsion springs are the springs that the wires are coiled to form the helical configuration. On the ends of the springs, there are two legs that are protruded and supposed to be connected to the related applications. As the connected components rotate around the center of the springs, they would provide the torque or rotary force to push the components back to the original position.

Such applications may range from the clothes pins or the clipboards to the garage doors, so that these torsion springs are designed as different sizes. In addition to the sizes of the springs, other dimensions like what the above introduction has mentioned should be considered as well, in order to make the springs perfectly fit for their applications and allow for the optimal performances of them.

Measuring these dimensions on the torsion spring can be done manually or relying on the automatically operated machine. In the traditional way, a micrometer, dial calipers or a tape when it is necessary to measure for larger springs are required for the manual measurement. As for the automatic measuring method, the torsion spring tester would be used instead.

With the torsion spring tester, the various dimensions of the torsion springs can be detected with one test, which makes the measurement more convenient, reduces the time in conducting different tests, and thus enhances the efficiency of the measurement compared to the manual method. In addition, the torsion spring tester can prevent the mistakes from occurring and ensure the optimal accuracy of the tests.

What dimensions are there when testing a torsion spring?

When it comes to the compatibility of the torsion springs and their applications, the various dimensions, which are related to the lengths, angles, or torque, matter in determining whether one spring is perfectly fitted or not depending on the requirements, and these dimensions include the wind direction, outer or inner diameter, wire diameter, length of legs, overall length, and number of coils.

● Wind direction
The torsion springs can come in either right wound or left wound, which depends on where the ends of the springs point to. When the end points in clockwise direction, it means that the spring is left wound. In contrast, the end on the right wound spring would point in counterclockwise direction.

● Outer/ inner diameter
The outer and inner diameters here refer to the diameters of the coils on the torsion springs.

● Wire diameter
In addition to the diameters of the coils, the wire diameter on each coil is one of the important parameters that determine the compatibility of the spring and its application.

● Length of legs
The length of legs refers to the length of the protruded ends on the torsion spring.

● Overall length
The overall length is measured from one end of the spring to another.

● Numbers of coils
The numbers of coils that are counted on a spring influence the width of the available application.

How does a torsion spring tester form?

A torsion spring tester, which is capable of automatically measuring the different dimensions of the springs, consists of a digital control panel, the torque cartridges, and the tooling.

● Digital control panel
The digital control panel contains several switches that allow the operators to turn on and off the tester, zero the length or torque, or store the results, etc., which serves as a multi-functional operator interface when it is necessary to adjust the settings.

● Torque cartridges
The torque cartridges on the torsion spring tester are usually interchangeable, which allows for accepting the springs with a wide range of load capacities quickly by replacing the one with another, and this can also ensure the optimal accuracy when different sizes and forms of the springs are required to undergo the tests.

● Tooling
The tooling consists of blacks and mandrels that are in charge of the alignment of the torsion springs during the tests, and it may come in one universal unit or several interchangeable ones. 

When the former is applied, there is no need of changing the tooling in order to fit for different springs, which improves the efficiency of the measurement by reducing the changeover time. Whereas, the interchangeable ones offer a wider range of springs that are available to be tested, which allows for the customization of the tests on the springs, and enhances the versatility of this device even more.

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