Flat springs are small metal components that store and release energy. These springs are used for controlling deflection in small and restricted spaces. Flat springs are not coiled; instead, they are flat, which makes them different from extension and compression springs. Read More…
Coiling Technologies, Inc. has the experience and expertise to design and engineer the custom springs to meet your specific requirements. We are a leading manufacturer of high-tech, specialized springs and we are committed to providing quality products with fast lead times. Our automated process allows us to produce the reliable springs you need.
At Stalder Spring Works, we specialize in designing and manufacturing high-quality springs tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers. With decades of experience, we have built a reputation for precision, durability, and reliability in every spring we produce. Our expertise covers a wide range of industries, ensuring that whether our customers require compression, extension, torsion, or...
At Sterling Springs LLC, we specialize in manufacturing a wide variety of high-quality springs for various industries and applications. Our product line includes compression springs, coil springs, torsion springs, extension springs, and industrial springs. We take pride in our capabilities to produce springs in a wide range of sizes and shapes, from tiny springs for delicate medical devices to...
We offer years of combined experience and also provide production control, purchasing, and sales. We encourage creativity and empower both employees and customers. Our one-of-a-kind company provides many benefits for all our springs customers.
At C&F Wire Products, we dedicate ourselves to the precision design and manufacturing of springs that serve a wide range of industries and applications. With decades of experience, we have built our reputation on consistency, quality, and the ability to deliver solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers.
At Master Spring & Wire Form, we take pride in being a trusted manufacturer of precision springs and custom wire forms. We specialize in producing high-quality compression, extension, and torsion springs that serve a wide range of industries, from automotive and medical to electronics and industrial equipment.
Action Spring has the experience and the expertise to manufacture dependable springs and wire forms for your application. Industries served include aerospace, electronics, recreational, and more. We can manufacture a variety of springs ranging in sizes from .003 to .500., and are able to produce almost any shape and size that a customer may need.
More Flat Spring Manufacturers
Flat Springs: Comprehensive Guide to Materials, Types, Applications, and Suppliers
Flat springs are versatile mechanical components engineered from a variety of high-performance materials, including high carbon steel, nickel-silver steel, high nickel alloys, stainless steel, beryllium copper, and phosphor bronze. The careful selection of spring material is crucial in spring manufacturing as it determines the spring’s strength, longevity, corrosion resistance, and suitability for specific environments. For example, stainless steel flat springs offer enhanced protection against rust and chemical corrosion, making them ideal for demanding industrial and marine applications, while high carbon steel delivers exceptional durability and rigidity for automotive and heavy-duty machinery.
Are you looking for the best flat spring material for your engineering project? Or are you seeking guidance on choosing a reliable flat spring manufacturer? This in-depth guide will answer your questions and help you make informed decisions, whether you are designing precision instruments, automotive suspensions, or electronic devices.
Configurations of Flat Springs
Flat springs are available in a wide array of configurations, each tailored to meet unique load-bearing, deflection, and space requirements. The most common types include:
Leaf Springs
Leaf springs are a traditional and robust form of flat spring, fabricated from individual layers or "leaves" of metal, stacked and clamped together. These springs are critical in suspension systems within the automotive industry—supporting the weight of vehicles, absorbing road shocks, and maintaining wheel alignment. Leaf springs find applications in cars, trucks, trailers, and railway carriages. They are manufactured from high alloy steel for superior performance, or lighter low-carbon steel for weight-sensitive applications.
Do you need to compare leaf spring types for your vehicle suspension system? Understanding the differences will help you select the optimal spring for load capacity, ride comfort, and longevity. Leaf springs are commonly divided into three categories:
Mono-Leaf Springs
Mono-leaf springs consist of a single steel plate, uniformly thick from the center to the ends. They are lightweight, simple, and suitable for lighter vehicles or applications where minimal deflection is required. However, they offer less load-carrying capacity compared to multi-leaf designs.
Multi-Leaf Springs
Multi-leaf springs feature multiple layers of steel, each progressively shorter, stacked atop one another and bound by a central bolt. This design increases the spring’s load capacity and durability, making it ideal for trucks and commercial vehicles that carry heavy loads.
Parabolic Springs
Parabolic springs are engineered with tapered leaves, each having a parabolic (curved) thickness profile. This advanced design reduces interleaf friction, delivers a smoother ride, and is increasingly popular in modern automotive engineering due to improved ride quality and weight savings.
Flat Coil Springs
Flat coil springs, sometimes referred to as spiral or clock springs, are manufactured by winding flat strip material into a coil form. They are widely used in mechanical counterbalances, vehicle exhaust systems, seat supports, and precision mechanisms where consistent torque or counterforce is required. Their compact shape and ability to store rotational energy make them indispensable in automotive seating, clocks, and retractable devices.
Wondering if a flat coil spring is right for your mechanism? These springs offer reliable energy storage and release, shock absorption, and space-saving solutions for a variety of industrial and consumer products.
Additional Flat Spring Forms
In addition to leaf and flat coil springs, flat springs encompass forms such as cantilever springs, finger (or contact) springs, and custom flat spring clips. These variants are prevalent in electrical contacts, relays, circuit breakers, and mounting brackets where a reliable, predictable force and compact profile are required.
- Cantilever Springs: Ideal for applications requiring linear deflection over a short distance, such as switches and latches.
- Finger/Contact Springs: Essential in electronics for maintaining electrical connection and conductivity.
- Flat Spring Clips & Retainers: Used for securing panels, mounting components, and vibration isolation.
Manufacturing Process of Flat Springs
The flat spring manufacturing process combines precision engineering, material science, and stringent quality control. Each step is critical for producing a reliable, long-lasting spring tailored to specific mechanical loads and operating environments. Below is a detailed overview of the typical flat spring production workflow:
Shaping the Spring
- The process begins by measuring and marking flat annealed spring steel, copper, or alloy strips to match design specifications.
- Machining processes such as stamping, laser cutting, or water jet cutting are used to achieve precise spring geometries and tolerances.
- Edges are deburred and polished to prevent stress concentrations that can lead to premature failure.
- The spring is then bent or formed. This can be accomplished by cold forming for thinner sections or hot forming for thicker or more complex shapes.
- After hot forming, the spring is left to air-cool, minimizing the risk of surface scaling or warping.
Hardening the Spring
- Hardening is essential for imparting the required stiffness and fatigue resistance to the spring.
- Using a carburizing flame or controlled furnace, the spring is heated to a specific temperature (typically around 1500 °F or 815 °C), depending on the material.
- Once the desired temperature is reached, the spring is quenched in oil or water to rapidly increase hardness.
Tempering the Spring
- Tempering reduces brittleness while maintaining the spring’s strength.
- The spring is cleaned to remove surface scale, then reheated to a lower temperature specific to the metal’s properties.
- Tempering methods include lead baths, oil pans, or controlled atmosphere furnaces.
- This process enhances toughness, flexibility, and fatigue life, ensuring the spring can repeatedly flex without breaking.
Testing the Spring
- Quality assurance involves both destructive and non-destructive testing.
- Dimensional checks, hardness tests, and load-deflection measurements verify the spring meets design and industry standards (such as ASTM, SAE, or ISO).
- The final flat spring is installed in a test fixture or actual assembly to confirm correct fit and function.
Advanced Flat Spring Manufacturing Technologies
Leading spring manufacturers invest in CNC wire forming, automated stamping, and laser cutting systems for high-volume, precision flat spring production. These technologies enable rapid prototyping, complex shapes, and tight tolerances, supporting applications in aerospace, medical devices, electronics, and automotive industries.
Curious about how custom flat springs are made? Explore modern spring fabrication techniques to discover how manufacturers achieve high repeatability and quality.
How Do Flat Springs Work?
Flat springs operate on the principle of elastic deformation, storing mechanical energy when deflected and releasing it upon unloading. Their signature cupped or arched profile allows them to compress under load, efficiently absorbing force and returning to their original shape. This unique characteristic makes flat springs invaluable for applications requiring precise, repeatable motion control and force delivery.
- Energy Storage: The spring’s shape enables it to accumulate potential energy, which can be rapidly released to actuate mechanical devices or absorb shocks.
- Force Application: Flat springs exert consistent pressure or force in a defined direction, useful for holding, clamping, or returning mechanisms to a start position.
- Vibration Damping: In automotive and machinery contexts, flat springs help suppress vibrations and reduce wear on other components.
Key Applications of Flat Springs
Flat springs are engineered for an extensive range of uses, from robust industrial equipment to delicate consumer electronics. Their adaptability and reliability make them integral to operations across numerous industries. Common applications include:
- Automotive: Suspension systems (leaf springs), seat mechanisms, clutch assemblies, exhaust counterweights, door latches, and vibration isolators.
- Electronics: Battery contacts, relays, circuit breakers, switch assemblies, and connectors.
- Industrial & Manufacturing: Motor brushes, counterbalances, die springs, control levers, generators, and shims.
- Consumer Products: Door closers, office equipment (printers, copiers), toys, and retractable pens.
- Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and precision measuring tools.
- Renewable Energy: Wind turbine mechanisms, solar panel mounts, and energy storage systems.
Are you searching for flat springs for a specific application? Contact a flat spring supplier to discuss custom designs or request a sample for evaluation.
Benefits of Using Flat Springs
Flat springs offer several distinct advantages that make them the preferred choice in countless engineering and manufacturing scenarios:
- Compact Design: Their flat profile requires minimal space, ideal for modern compact devices.
- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Advanced materials provide robust performance without adding unnecessary mass.
- Versatility: Flat springs can be tailored to precise shapes, sizes, and force characteristics.
- Durability: Properly selected and treated materials ensure long service life, even under repetitive stress.
- Cost-Effective Manufacturing: Stamping and forming processes enable high-volume production at competitive prices.
Ready to learn how flat springs can improve your project? Request a flat spring design consultation or download technical datasheets for more detailed specifications.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Flat Spring Supplier
Selecting a qualified flat spring supplier is essential for ensuring product quality, on-time delivery, and competitive pricing. Here’s how to find the best partner for your requirements:
- Define Your Specifications: Determine the required material, dimensions, load capacity, finish, and operating environment for your flat spring application.
- Evaluate Supplier Capabilities: Use our list of flat spring suppliers to compare experience, certifications (ISO 9001, TS16949), manufacturing capacity, and customization options.
- Request Samples & Quotes: Complete the contact form on a supplier’s business profile page to request technical data, prototype samples, or a custom quote.
- Check Industry Compliance: Review whether the supplier’s products meet relevant standards such as ASTM, SAE, DIN, or customer-specific requirements.
- Assess Customer Support & Logistics: Consider order turnaround times, quality assurance processes, and after-sales support.
Our proprietary website previewer makes it easy to review each company’s specialization. Use our RFQ (Request for Quote) tool to contact multiple flat spring companies with the same inquiry, streamlining your supplier selection process.
Still have questions about sourcing or specifying flat springs? Ask us about custom flat spring manufacturing, material compatibility, and rapid prototyping options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Springs
- What materials are best for corrosion-resistant flat springs? Stainless steel and beryllium copper offer excellent corrosion resistance, even in harsh environments.
- How do I calculate the load capacity of a flat spring? Load capacity is determined by the material’s modulus of elasticity, spring dimensions, and intended deflection. Contact a spring engineer for detailed calculations.
- Can flat springs be customized for unique geometries? Yes, advanced stamping and forming equipment allows for fully custom flat spring shapes, cutouts, and finishes.
- Are there standards for flat spring manufacturing? Leading suppliers manufacture to standards such as ASTM F2162, SAE J788, and ISO 9001 for quality and consistency.
- What is the lead time for custom flat spring orders? Lead times vary by complexity and volume but are typically 2-6 weeks for prototypes and 4-8 weeks for production volumes.
Related Resources & Next Steps
- Custom Flat Springs – Find out how to order springs tailored to your application.
- Contact Our Engineering Team – Get expert support for your next project.
Whether you are a purchasing manager, mechanical engineer, or product designer, choosing the right flat spring can dramatically improve system reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Use the information above to guide your research, compare suppliers, and specify the ideal flat spring solution for your needs.
