Where axial rotation requires control, a torsion spring from the Lee Spring catalogue range is often the right solution. These compactly wound ex-stock springs look like a common compression spring mounted on a rod or into a cylinder, but are activated by radial leverage on their end legs. Common applications involve the need for a pre-loading to act as a counter-weight, e.g. a rear tailgate or garage door. Other typical applications include clothes pins, clipboards, window shades, counterbalance mechanisms, ratchets and various types of machine components. Torsion springs are used for hinges, counterbalances and lever return applications and as couplings between concentric shafts, such as in a motor and pump assembly. Many electronic devices utilise small torsion springs to provide smooth operation of pop-up covers on various players, cameras, instrumentation etc.

Lee Spring now offer a total of 7 angle sections for their torsion springs in all standard ex-stock sizes, both left and right hand wound, which also facilitates usage in pairs to provide a balanced force at each point, so ensuring that the returned piece seats properly. They are available in plated music wire and passivated stainless steel. Torsion spring ends can be bent, twisted, hooked or looped to suit project needs, and are offered in a choice of 90°, 120°, 180°, 210°, 270°, 300° and 360° free leg position. Specialist design engineers are also ready to help with custom leg end style choices including straight torsion, straight offset, hinged, and hook ends. Specialist miniature torsion springs are available with an outside diameter from 2.62mm, through to full sized units of over 50mm. These are covered by huge depth of stock at Lee Spring which ensures rapid one-off order delivery and timely production scheduling, in music wire or 302 stainless steel.

In coming to a custom specification we believe designers will benefit from the guidance provided on the Lee Spring “Spring-i-pedia” site – http://springipedia.com where relevant formulae and other information can be found in establishing design parameters for torsion springs. Further information on Lee Spring products can be found on their website – www.leespring.co.uk or by following them on Twitter – https://twitter.com/leespringuk.