Small springs for small devices

1 min read

High pressure compression springs are designed to fit in tighter applications while achieving similar strength and comparable spring rate to larger and heavier springs.

The Lee Spring catalogue has always offered springs with relatively high spring rates or workable (maximum) loads. But often, the standard outside diameters were too wide to fit within the intended application assembly requirements, or the lengths too long and bulky.

Now Lee Spring has introduced ‘Skinny & Strong’, low index, High Pressure Compression Springs. This firm, slender spring design offers a high spring rate in a smaller compression spring diameter, without sacrificing any of the pressure and is suited for operation in confined spaces.

The low index, High Pressure Compression Springs are carefully designed to work in small holes, packed with high load capacities and rated to pressures of 300, 400, 500 and 600 psi for easy reference.

High pressure compression springs are designed to provide high resistant forces with a relatively slender diameter spring. A standard spring can only support a certain amount of weight and would need a wider profile to take heavier loads, but a high pressure compression spring is fortified to achieve a higher spring rate – the spring rate refers to how many pounds a spring can be compressed to per inch. This means you can pile on much more weight for the diameter, in comparison to standard compression springs.

High pressure compression springs are used in applications that demand small devices requiring firm, but not rigid, slender springs, such as in switches, ball plungers, safety relief valves, quick change tools and vice clamps.

Using a high pressure compression spring, rather than a standard compression spring, in these instances will mean the spring lasts longer as it can withstand heavy loads – saving money on maintenance.

High pressure compression springs from Lee Spring are made from passivated and shot peened Stainless Steel, which provides a balance of corrosion resistance, high strength, and toughness – meaning these springs will last even longer, whatever the conditions. They range in size, fitting holes as small as 1/8” (3.2mm) to 2” (50.8mm) so they can achieve just as much strength and a comparable spring rate to a much larger and heavier spring, but in a much tighter space.

They are available in a range of free lengths, starting at 0.250” (6.35mm) up to 4” (101.60mm).