Re: Flat Spring Tension "Observations"
Tom,
From a design standpoint the flat spring is a designers nightmare.
They are so sensitive to any variation in tolerance and heat treatment.
Spring tension is related directly to width, that is
"to double the width is to double the tension.
HOWEVER THE THICKNESS ACTS VERY DIFFERENT !!
To double the thickness increases the tension by a factor of FOUR, ie:
double thichness = 4 x strength or
to halve the thickness is; 1/2 thickness = 1/4 strength.
And a few points difference in hardness has a very unpredictable result in stiffness.
The reason that coil springs are so predictable is because the drawing process creates a wire of very accurate size and and reproducable results.
My observations.
ViggoG
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