Clock / Spiral Springs

Power Springs are more commonly known as clock springs simply because this design of spring is most commonly seen in mechanical wind up clocks as the means of storing significant amounts of energy to power the clock for a relatively long time.

The power spring is essentially manufactured from a long length of steel strip which is tightly wound and constrained within a space. This constraint is designed in such a way as to allow the spring to wind up further to increase the energy stored but to also constrain the spring to preload wound condition. Allowing the spring to unwind back to it’s constrained diameter to use the available energy to actuate a mechanism.

The end fixings on the power spring will be completely variable to satisfy the specific anchoring needs of the mechanism it is designed to be used within. The power spring constraint is usually a machined or cast metal enclosure or plastic moulding dependant on the forces involved and the size of the springs. To simplify transfer of the manufactured spring into the enclosure it is not uncommon for the spring to be supplied in a “Keep “ which can be a circlip or a band strap to secure it at its required diameter for assembly purposes.

Spiral Springs have a similar construction to a power spring by virtue of the coiled shape but are not under force in their free natural condition. This means they are formed in a specific fixed free diameter ready to assemble although it is not uncommon for some preload wind up on assembly to be a requirement. In consequence spiral springs usually have a much smaller width to thickness ratio than power springs.

We can help you with your spiral and power spring requirements.