Custom Flat Spiral Springs for Precision Torque & Energy Storage
Engineered flat spiral springs designed for retraction mechanisms, constant force applications, and energy storage systems requiring reliable torque output over extended cycle life.
Why Flat Spiral Springs Fail in Critical Applications
Poor quality flat spiral springs create cascading failures in mechanical assemblies. Understanding these failure modes helps you specify springs that actually work.
Unstable Torque Output
Inconsistent material properties and improper stress distribution cause torque decay across working range. Your retraction mechanism weakens over time, leading to incomplete return cycles.
Premature Fatigue Failure
Surface defects and inadequate heat treatment create stress concentration points. Springs fail after 10,000 cycles instead of the specified 100,000, causing unexpected downtime.
Geometric Misalignment
Poor coiling precision results in springs that rub housing walls, creating friction and wear debris. This leads to jamming, erratic performance, and premature system failure.
Batch Inconsistency
Without proper process controls, each production run delivers different performance characteristics. This forces you to test and calibrate every assembly individually.
Eliminate these failure modes with properly engineered flat spiral springs
Request Technical ConsultationEngineering Solutions for Reliable Spring Performance
We eliminate failure modes through material science, precision manufacturing, and validation testing. Here's how we engineer flat spiral springs that actually meet specifications.
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Discuss Your RequirementsWhat Is a Flat Spiral Spring?
A flat spiral spring, also called a clock spring or power spring, is a pre-stressed metal strip wound into a flat spiral configuration. Unlike compression or torsion springs that work through linear displacement, flat spiral springs store energy through angular deflection and deliver rotational torque.
When you rotate the outer end relative to the inner mounting point, the spring stores mechanical energy. Upon release, it provides consistent return torque proportional to the angular displacement. This makes them ideal for applications requiring compact energy storage or constant force output over multiple rotations.
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Types of Flat Spiral Springs
Flat spiral springs come in various configurations, each optimized for specific applications. Understanding these types helps you select the right spring for your engineering requirements.
Flat Coil Springs
Wound in a flat plane with consistent coil spacing, these springs provide linear torque characteristics. Ideal for applications requiring predictable force output across multiple rotations, such as cable reels and retractable mechanisms.
Power Springs
Pre-stressed springs designed for maximum energy storage in minimal space. Commonly used in wind-up toys, mechanical timers, and emergency backup systems where stored energy must be released gradually over time.
Clock Springs
Precision-engineered springs with controlled torque decay curves, originally developed for mechanical timepieces. Now used in precision instruments, measuring equipment, and applications requiring consistent torque over extended angular displacement.
Mainsprings (Main Springs)
The primary energy source in mechanical watches and clockwork mechanisms. These springs deliver controlled, reliable torque over thousands of wind-unwind cycles, maintaining precise timekeeping through optimized material selection and heat treatment.
Constant Force Springs
Engineered to maintain nearly constant force throughout their extension range. Perfect for counterbalance applications, tape measures, window blinds, and adjustable monitor arms where consistent force prevents sudden movements.
Motor Springs
High-torque springs designed for driving mechanisms in toys, kitchen timers, and automotive actuators. These springs convert stored rotational energy into mechanical motion, offering reliable performance across temperature variations.
Brush Springs
Specialized springs providing consistent electrical contact pressure in motors and generators. These maintain optimal brush-to-commutator contact force throughout motor life, reducing wear and ensuring efficient current transfer in rotating electrical equipment.
Not sure which spring type fits your application? Our engineers can help you select the optimal configuration
Request Spring Type ConsultationCustomizable Spring Parameters
Every flat spiral spring is engineered to your exact specifications. These are the parameters we can customize to match your torque requirements, space constraints, and operating environment.
Material Selection
Carbon Steel (1070, 1075, 1095), Stainless Steel (301, 302, 304), Spring Steel Alloys (50CrV4), Custom material specifications
Strip Dimensions
Thickness: 0.1mm to 3.0mm, Width: 3mm to 50mm, Length: Up to 10 meters, Tolerance: ±0.02mm available
Spiral Geometry
Inner diameter: 5mm to 100mm, Outer diameter: Custom to assembly, Active coils: 5 to 50+ turns, Working angle: Up to 1440°
Torque Range
Light duty: 0.01 to 0.5 N·m, Medium duty: 0.5 to 5 N·m, Heavy duty: 5 to 50 N·m, Custom torque curves available
Surface Treatment
Oil coating for corrosion protection, Black oxide coating, Zinc plating (clear or yellow), Passivation for stainless steel
End Configurations
Hook ends for attachment, Hole punching for shaft mounting, Tab bending for housing slots, Custom end forming to drawing
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Submit Your SpecificationsOur Manufacturing Process
Quality flat spiral springs require precise control at every manufacturing step. Here's how we transform raw material into reliable spring components.
Strip Slitting & Material Preparation
Master coils are precision-slit to your specified width with edge quality control. We verify material hardness and surface condition before processing.
CNC Spiral Coiling
Computer-controlled coiling machines wind the strip to precise specifications. Tension control ensures uniform coil spacing and eliminates variations.
Heat Treatment
Controlled heating and quenching optimize material hardness. This establishes the spring's working stress range and extends fatigue life.
Prestress Setting
Springs undergo controlled cycling to set permanent prestress. This stabilizes the torque curve and prevents relaxation during service.
Deburring & Edge Finishing
Sharp edges are removed through tumbling or grinding to prevent housing damage. Smooth edges reduce stress concentration points.
Dimensional & Torque Testing
Final inspection verifies all dimensions meet tolerance requirements. We test torque output across the working angle and compare against specification.
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Schedule Manufacturing ReviewTypical Application Scenarios
Flat spiral springs excel in applications requiring compact energy storage, consistent force output, or automatic return mechanisms. Here's where they solve real engineering problems.
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Explore Application SolutionsGet Your Custom Spring Quote
Share your requirements and technical drawings. Our engineering team will respond within 24 hours with feasibility analysis and pricing.
Engineering Advantages
These are the measurable performance benefits you gain from properly engineered flat spiral springs versus commodity alternatives.
Stable Torque Output
Precision material selection and controlled prestressing deliver torque variation under ±5% across the working range. Your mechanism performs consistently from first cycle to 100,000th cycle.
High Cycle Life
Proper heat treatment and working stress limits extend fatigue life to 100,000+ cycles. We verify cycle life through accelerated testing on first article samples before production.
Geometric Consistency
CNC coiling maintains dimensional tolerances of ±0.1mm across production batches. Every spring fits your housing without manual adjustment or selective assembly requirements.
Flexible Production
We support prototyping from 10-piece samples up to production volumes of 100,000+ units. Process controls ensure the same performance whether you order 50 or 50,000 springs.
Experience the difference of precision-engineered flat spiral springs
Request Performance DataFlat Spiral Spring Selection Guide
Avoid these common specification mistakes that lead to spring failures and production delays.
Ignoring Torque Curve
Specifying only outer diameter while neglecting torque requirements results in springs that either fail to provide adequate force or exceed material stress limits. Always define your torque curve first.
Skipping Prestress
Springs without prestress setting experience torque relaxation and dimensional creep during the first 1,000 cycles. This "break-in" period causes performance drift that may fail your qualification testing.
Material Mismatches
Stainless steel provides corrosion resistance but offers 20% lower fatigue strength than carbon steel. Choosing material based solely on environment without considering cycle life leads to premature failure.
Sample ≠ Production
Prototype springs often receive extra attention that doesn't scale to production volumes. Inconsistent process controls mean your production batch performs differently than approved samples unless manufacturing is properly validated.
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Manufacturing Partner You Can Trust
We're a China-based custom spring manufacturer serving engineering teams in North America, Europe, and Australia. Our facility specializes in precision flat spiral springs with engineering support throughout the development process.
Unlike commodity spring suppliers, we provide engineering analysis and prototype iteration before committing to production tooling. This front-loaded approach eliminates costly redesigns and ensures your springs perform as specified.
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Schedule ConsultationQuality Control & Testing
Every production batch undergoes verification testing to ensure consistent performance. Here's what we measure and document.
Dimensional Inspection
Inner diameter, outer diameter, strip width, and thickness verified against tolerance specifications. CMM measurement for critical dimensions on first article and periodic production sampling.
Torque Testing
Automated torque measurement across the specified working angle. We document initial torque, working torque range, and verify the torque curve matches your specification before shipment.
Cycle Life Testing
Accelerated fatigue testing on sample units validates cycle life claims. We cycle springs to 110% of specified life and verify no performance degradation exceeds ±10% of initial values.
Batch Documentation
Complete material certifications and test records accompany each shipment. We maintain traceability back to raw material heat lot for every production batch.
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Download QC StandardsProtective Packaging Solutions
Flat spiral springs are vulnerable to deformation during shipping. Our packaging prevents damage and simplifies your receiving process.
Need custom packaging for automated assembly integration?
Discuss Packaging RequirementsInternational Shipping & Logistics
Reliable delivery with full documentation for customs clearance and receiving inspection.
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Get Shipping QuoteMaterials Compliance & Standards
We maintain documentation for regulated industries and can provide material certifications for your compliance requirements.
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