MM 315 Mechanisms and Machines

The University of the South Pacific

School of Engineering and Physics
MM 315 – Mechanisms and Machines

Lab 1: Helical Compression Spring Calculator

Lab Session Time: Wed 2-5pm

Student Name/Student ID: John Chief (s11158588)
Dipanshil Charan (s11160052)
Akanshil Chandra (s11159755)

AIM
 Calculate the stress in the Helical Compression Spring using Microsoft Excel software.
 Study the behavior of the Helical Compression Spring when the wire diameter and spring diameter
are varied.

EQUIPMENT
PC with Microsoft Excel Software

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1: Effect of varying wire diameter

Wire diameter(mm) Force(N)
0.2 0.6
0.4 4.18
0.6 12.85
0.8 28.29
1 51.89
1.2 84.76
1.4 127.81
1.6 181.75
1.8 247.13
2 324.34
2.2 413.62
2.4 515.09
2.6 628.76
2.8 754.52
3 892.15

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MM 315 Mechanisms and Machines

Table 2: Effect of varying spring diameter

Spring diameter(mm) Force(N)
5 385.31
10 247.13
15 178.23
20 138.94
25 113.74

900
800
700
600
Force(N)

500
400
300
200
100
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Wire diameter(mm)
Figure 1: Represents the force that is required to compress the spring at the different wire diameters varied
from 0.2mm to 3mm at intervals of 0.2mm while the spring diameter was kept constant. It can be seen that
as the wire diameter is increased, the force required to compress the spring increases.

400

350

300
Force(N)

250

200

150

100
4 9 14 19 24
Spring diameter(mm)
Figure 2: Represents the force that is required to compress the spring at the different spring diameters
varied from 5mm to 25mm at intervals of 5mm while the wire diameter was kept constant. It can be seen
that as the spring diameter is increased the force required to compress the spring gradually decreases.

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MM 315 Mechanisms and Machines

Sample Calculation
Part: I
Wire diameter: 1.8mm Na=100 active coils
Spring Diameter: 10mm
A=2000MPamm, m=0.167

Spring Index
D 10
C= = =5.56
d 1.8

Ultimate Tensile Strength

A 2000
Sut = m = 0.167 =1813.01 MPa
d 1.8

Tensile Yield Strength

S y =0.93× S ut =0.93× 1813.01×10 6=1686.1 MPa

Torsion Yield Strength

Ssy =0.75× S ut =0.75 ×1813.01 ×10 6=1359.76 MPa

Stress Concentration factor

4 C+ 2 4 (5.56 )+ 2
K= = =1.26
4 C−3 4 ( 5.56 )−3

Maximum Shear Stress

−3
8 KFmaxD 8(1.26)(20)(10 ×10 )
τ max=S sy = = =110.04 MPa
π d3 π (1.8× 10−3 )3

Spring Stiffness
4
d4 G ( 1.8× 10−3 ) (77.2× 109)
k= = =1013.02 N /m
8 D 3 Na 3
8 × ( 10 × 10−3 ) (100)

Force from Ssy

(1.8 × 10¿¿−3)3
F=1359.76 ×106 × π × =247.15 N ¿
8 ×1.26 ×10 ×10−3

Factor of Safety
Ssy 1359.76
Fs= = =12.36
Ts 110.04

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MM 315 Mechanisms and Machines

DISCUSSION
From the graphs figure 1 and figure 2 drawn, the behavior of the spring when its dimensions such as wire
diameter and spring diameter are changed can be studied. In figure 1, the increase in the wire diameter
consequently increases the spring stiffness at the fixed spring diameter. This caused the increase in the force
required to compress the spring as the spring stiffness is proportional to the force represented by Hooke’s
d4 G
law F=-Ky and the spring rate formula k = . For this case, deflection will be small. The increase in
8 D 3 Na
Wire diameter increased the static safety factor, but also increased the amount of material required to make
spring.

In figure 2, while the wire diameter is kept constant, the increase in the spring’s diameter resulted in the
decrease in the spring stiffness. This also decreases the force required to compress spring. This relationship
is observed in the spring rate formula, where the spring stiffness is proportional to 1/D 3. The force required
to cause deflection will therefore decrease with increase in spring diameter. For this case, the static safety
factor decreased as the coil diameter was increased due to the increased shear stress experienced by the
spring.

Question
Discuss some application of springs.
Springs have a wide range of applications in the Industry, such as in automobiles or where engines are used,
different suspension springs are used to help with vibration damping and to apply a load. In measuring the
weights of various objects, spring balances rely on the deflection of the spring. It is also used in simple
devices at home such as keyboards, wooden clothing Pegs and writing pens.

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

[1]

[2] How Products are Made, 2015. Springs. Online, http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Springs.html

[3] McCormick, M. E., 2007. Ocean Wave Energy Conversion. Dover Publications Inc., U. S. A.

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