FEATURE SPRINGS, FASTENERS & SHOCK ABSORBERS MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE OF SPRINGS AND FASTENERS


Chris Petts, managing director of Lee Spring, explains the importance of selecting the correct fastener or spring to suit application requirements


Lee Spring’s stock range includes over 23,000 different types of spring


F


rom concept to delivery it is important to consider all aspects of


spring installation and usage including configuration, e.g. cylindrical, barrel or cone, as well as the optimal choice of material from a selection of steel, stainless steel, alloys and super alloys, each with its own possibilities for surface treatments. It may be that a standard ex-stock


spring is exactly right for the application, or that the mating components may require only a small adaptation to enable its use. Otherwise, a custom design can fully optimise functionality and, if required, aesthetics. “No matter how large or how small a


fastener or spring may be, as a component, its importance might be paramount to the form or functionality of a product,” explains Chris Petts of Lee Spring. “Reliability and precision are essential. Selecting the incorrect type of spring, or a spring material unable to withstand particular application conditions, could be catastrophic.” Lee Spring is an ISO 9001 registered


company, delivering high quality fasteners and springs to various sectors, such as auto sport and automotive, medical and aerospace. Springs should always be high quality but it is especially important within these sectors, as they often require components manufactured to meet strict, legislative standards. The motorsport market, in particular, is


an interesting sector for Lee Spring. “Professionals or hobbyists involved in the restoration of classic cars, for example, often approach us requiring specialist, quality components either from our extensive stock range, or custom made products,” says Petts. High performance nickel and cobalt ‘super alloys’ are offered by Lee Spring


28 JUNE/JULY 2018 | IRISH MANUFACTURING


for applications involving harsh conditions, such as high temperatures or extreme pressure. “The reliability of the finished product


in its application hinges on the correct material selection to meet the specific application requirements,” says Petts. Super alloys offer enhanced


performance properties including


excellent strength and durability, and resistance to oxidation, or corrosion. Due to these properties, super alloys make the best spring materials for demanding working conditions, which can be encountered across various industry sectors. If springs not made from super alloys


are used in applications with harsh conditions, they are at risk of becoming deformed or damaged, as they will not be strong enough. Lee Spring’s stock range includes over


23,000 different types of spring. For applications requiring specialist springs, a comprehensive custom spring design service can help customers to meet many application demands.


Lee Spring www.leespring.co.uk


Technical support for standard threaded fasteners T


he team at Challenge Europe believe that while there are many suppliers/distributors of


threaded fasteners, what most manufacturers appreciate is the willingness to follow through with tech’ support throughout the supply process. Its new brochure provides an insight into the


specialist range of products and the depth of support available, from troubleshooting an existing application, to defining and developing a new product. Challenge Europe can provide the technical expertise that often small to medium sized manufacturers do not have available in-house. Indeed, many large scale production facilities are increasingly finding this type of supplier relationship saves them time, money and rework. This is exemplified by the ranges of nut products


described in their brochure and website, including full nuts in all metric sizes to fit screws and bolts. Commonly available as cold forged parts but larger sizes are often bar turned from hexagonal bar. Also half nuts, otherwise referred to as lock nuts or jam nuts. These are available in steel, stainless steel or brass. They are also useful in situations where space is restricted but ultimate strength is not required. Self-locking nuts, also known as stiff nuts and


sometimes prevailing torque nuts. These are available in a range of styles but they all operate in a similar way having an interference fit mechanism that provide anti-loosening characteristics. Standard reference types include nylon insert nuts, Philidas nuts, Binx nuts, Aerotight nuts and Stover nuts. Combi nuts, sometimes known as carp nuts,


these combine a plain or domed washer assembled into a hexagonal nut so saving time, operations and


loss of washers. The washer offers a load spreading function and if serrated also adds to the anti-vibrational security of the assembly. Cage nuts or captive nuts are used as a ‘spring-


in-fit’ nut in square or slotted holes in sheet steel or other rigid materials. They provide a measure of compliance for the mounting of components, e.g. M6 sizes used in 19-inch racks for panel mounting. Square nuts are frequently known as pressed nuts


as they are pressed out of sheet metal, usually zinc plated steel or stainless steel. They are useful to fit in a channel, e.g. in aluminium extrusions or a steel ‘C’ section. Also valuable where space is limited and for light assembly applications. Tee nuts are for use with soft and semi-soft


materials where the teeth can pierce and lock into the sheet, e.g. wood or plastic. They may be inserted by tapping or pressing into position where the prongs ensure a secure fit. Weld nuts are produced with weld lugs or


protrusions to enable their use with standard projection welding equipment. Formats of round, hexagonal or square geometries are available in steel or stainless steel. Flange nuts extend the bearing surface of the nut


for better load carrying – plain flange nuts and serrated flange formats are available. The serrated type has an improved anti-loosening capability.


Challenge (Europe) www.challenge-europe.co.uk / IRISHMANUFACTURING T: 01234 346242 T: 0118 978 1800


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