Science Archives | European Springs Ireland

The modern world runs on machinery that is getting increasingly complex every year to meet the needs of our advancing society. And in turn, every piece of machinery or electronics depends on reliable, high-quality components to function. For example, gas springs are a popular choice to suit the needs of many applications and provide a valuable service that few people know.

Gas Spring Features

One of the most prominent features that make gas springs popular for application is that they require very little maintenance. Usually, a device with multiple parts would be more susceptible to wear and require regular maintenance checks but gas springs avoid this issue by sealing their collection of components within an enclosed cylinder. Gas springs have an increased lifecycle over many other spring designs. For example, springs like tension springs rely on a mechanical method of operation. Additionally, traditional springs such as compression springs consist of coiled metal, which will wear down over time and slowly reduce the amount of energy stored. Gas springs work with a gas-filled cylinder that supports their operation and prevents premature wear. This makes gas springs a device that can be relied upon to function effectively for its entire lifetime.

An experienced spring manufacturer will offer locking and non-locking as a feature of their gas springs. Non-locking gas springs are the most common as the piston rod will automatically retract as pressure is exerted and return once removed. This provides an increased level of ergonomics compared to traditional springs, as the spring will give a smooth, consistent action when weight is applied. Locking gas springs have a valve system that can provide force-dampening and keep the gas spring locked.

These features make them popular across a broad range of applications. For example, slow-dampened gas springs can be used for heavy windows and doors, whilst quick gas springs have been installed into sport air guns. In addition, powerful gas springs can be used as a power pack as the high-pressure levels can be translated into usable energy. But where people come across the most commonplace application for gas springs is the regulated opening and closing of car boots and hospital beds.

What Is a Gas Spring?

Gas springs generally consist of a cylindrical body filled with nitrogen gas, a piston rod and a seal, along with a guiding function for compression and extension. A pushing force created by the gas inside will extend the rod; the exact amount of pressure will be determined by the dimensions of the spring and the specific internal pressure.

These vital components rely on using compressed gas to achieve their desired force and can be compressed by a piston when a dynamic effect is needed. The key to this variability is the Schrader-type valve employed. This valve is a brass tube that is threaded along its exterior and has a metal pin found along the axis of the tube, and the valve body and a lip seal around the rod work with the valve. Compressed gas is injected through the tube using either a mechanical gasket (O-ring system) or high external pressures.

Some springs can be designed with an interior plunger that possesses a diaphragm sufficient to extend to the end of its housing tube. In this case, the gas spring will be immobile once consistent force is applied and will result in the spring performing more like a traditional spring. The gas volume and internal pressure are reduced inside the tube by either a sliding mechanism or an end stop. This enables gas spring manufacturers to adjust the properties of the spring to suit the application’s specific needs.

Are Gas Springs Also Gas Struts?

Gas springs and struts seem very similar, but a few key differences are present due to the internal designs. Gas springs are designed for motion control applications, such as doors, windows and other equipment. In comparison to gas struts, gas springs create higher force with shorter strokes. Gas struts are mainly used in vehicle suspensions and contain a coil spring that supports the vehicle’s weight; these work in conjunction as a shock absorber that limits the effects of vibrations.

Benefits of Gas Springs

High-quality gas springs provide several benefits that have led to their increased popularity in many applications. These can provide:

A higher force in a smaller space
Built-in damping for improved control with movement
Energy storage, as gas springs don’t need power
They can work independently
Variable pressure to suit tasks
Can work in various environments, including contaminated or corrosive areas.

Gas springs are varied components widely embraced as a superior alternative to many other spring designs. At European Springs Ireland, we stock hundreds of gas spring designs as well as dozens of various end fittings and other accessories to ensure we can supply the most effective results for our clients. If we don’t stock a specific specification, you require us to provide a bespoke service for designing and manufacturing unique gas springs.

If you have any questions about our gas spring manufacturing services, you can contact our team directly and get all the answers you need.

Sustainable manufacturing is an important goal for the manufacturing industry, with significant strides already being made. The nickname the ‘green industrial revolution’ has become commonplace as an increasing number of environmentally friendly changes are implemented across the manufacturing industry.

The Goal of Sustainability

Sustainable manufacturing aims to improve current manufacturing processes and create a far more ecologically friendly system without sacrificing productivity. This increased sustainability is not focused on just the manufacturing processes themselves. These positive changes involve the entire supply chain process around the actual manufacturing, both upstream in sourcing new materials and downstream regarding the finished products and waste management.

The environmental element of improving sustainability is related to:

Less resource consumption
Less waste
Lower emissions

By achieving these goals, the industry’s effect on the environment is immensely lowered. True sustainability is about balance. In context, balancing the industrial sector means companies considering the impact of their current working methods throughout the entire supply chain process. by monitoring this impact in relation to the environment, it becomes easy to find those processes that can be improved and eventually significantly improve all your companies impact as a whole.

Support for Irish Manufacturing

The United Nations Environment Program’s International Resource Panel assessed that if there were no change in the way industry worked, greenhouse gasses would build to 43% by 2060. This and other reports inspired significant changes in the industry worldwide, including the UK’s implementation of a NetZero 2050 strategy and the recent hosting of COP26.

The NetZero 2050 strategy is the UK government’s plan to decarbonise all sectors (industrial, commercial and domestic) nationwide and create a nation that is producing no excess emissions by the year 2050. It involves a road map of smaller targets that must be met to accomplish this goal.

As a metal pressing manufacturer, the COP26 conference held at the Scottish event campus in Glasgow was an event we were very interested in. This latest meeting of representatives from the United Nations was of particular importance to manufacturers as they planned to address areas of combating climate change that was lacking. The results were to increase the demand for companies to embrace decarbonisation as a more sustainable method and embrace limiting waste and renewable energy sources.

Ireland once stood at 46^th on the CCPI (climate change performance index), with a high rating in the implementation of renewable energies and a medium-low rating in energy usage. In addition, manufacturing contributes approximately 10% of the total national emissions in Ireland, creating a significant opportunity for companies to find innovations that will significantly improve their environmental impact. A new climate change act was passed in 2021 to serve as a framework to cut emissions across industries by 51% by the next deadline for the NetZero 2050 strategy, in this case, in 2030. The Climate Action Plan inspired a surge in green innovation predicted to support significant changes in the nation’s industries. This plan aims to contribute to the world’s effort to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and maintain the environment in other ways.

An R&D tax credit is available for manufacturing companies in Ireland. This incentive for research and development enables Irish manufacturers to explore more sustainable operating methods and alternative energy sources, such as investing in solar panels or carbon offset schemes. This tax credit provides 25% on qualifying R&D expenses in science and technology.

Circular Models Are the Future

Many different elements make a sustainable manufacturing company. They include the acquisition of the required materials, the source of the energy to run your facility and what you do with the waste materials afterwards. All these elements can be improved upon to create a truly sustainable process.

All these disparate elements can be collected under the term ‘circular economy. This is the name of a business model for production and consumption that plans to re-evaluate previous linear processes. The essential concept is similar to recycling. For example, spring manufacturers would employ a system of reuse for unused materials to prevent them from becoming waste.

Positive Effect of Sustainable Manufacturing

One element that everyone in the manufacturing industry can agree on is that we have a responsibility to future generations. This is the most significant reason why increasing sustainability is essential, and decreasing the industry’s environmental impact will help ensure that. There isn’t just one primary way to achieve sustainability; many smaller steps can be taken that will combine to have an immense impact.

More sustainable industries will also ensure that habitats remain liveable. In addition, maintaining a high standard for air and water quality and preventing toxins from entering the water table helps the environment and humans. Landfills are one the most significant contributors of harmful toxins to the environment. By recycling as much of our waste as possible, landfills become less necessary. It’s easy to forget that any problem that affects the environment will inevitably become a problem for humans if left unchecked. By protecting the planet, we are also protecting ourselves and the future generations to come.

Sustainable Manufacturing Is the Future

At European Springs, we are constantly working towards discovering new ways to improve our working process for efficiency and environmental impact. As experienced manufacturers of gas springs in Ireland, we have a great deal of experience adapting our work to be the most sustainable it can be.

You can browse our entire selection of springs and pressings in our online stock catalogue.

Torsion springs are one of many different designs of spring. In addition, there are many other spring models throughout the industry, and each has its unique specifications, requirements and role to play in a broad range of sectors.

Springs seem a simple tool, a common component of machinery or technology that is so common that you can practically find them in every industry worldwide. Generally speaking, they can provide a specific type of force for mechanical assemblies such as compression, extension or torsion.

These vital components are commonly considered the classic coiled compression spring, but this style doesn’t apply to every spring application. With so many spring designs available, it’s important to remember what makes each design unique.

What’s a Torsion Spring?

Torsion springs are a very different design from the commonly imagined helical spring. Instead, a torsion spring has a more compressed coil with a spiral shape. This design is to apply torque or store rotational energy.

The previously mentioned compression springs rely on linear force to push or pull and return to a designed resting position. Instead, torsion springs store and release rotational energy through torque with a measure of pressure. The torque forces a rotation on the springs axis when applying or resisting forces such as the weight of a load. The general idea is to create a similar result as the linear force in compression springs but as a rotational alternative. This is the main feature that makes torsion springs unique.

What’s the Role of a Torsion Spring?

A simple way to think of a torsion springs role is to either hold objects in place or push them back into their original resting position. When installed as a component of an application, the protruding ends of the torsion spring are attached to separate parts that are intended to rotate around the centre of the spring. This can be applied to rotations in either direction, clockwise or anti-clockwise, to suit the direction that the force or load required.

As a long-term supplier of high-quality springs, we understand how important it is that torsion spring manufacturers ensure that the spring is tightly wound. Torsion springs are also designed to offer resistance to twisting applied force as well as rotational.

Torsion Spring Manufacturing

Torsion springs are essentially wound into a tight coil, with a final sideways force applied to either a left or right-hand helix to create the unique ends of the torsion spring.

Unlike other operations, no secondary processes are required as torsion springs are ready as soon as they come off the machine, but some optional choices are available to customise your spring to suit the desired application. For example, pitching can decrease the potential for friction between closely wound coils. This allows spring manufacturers to reduce production times when creating torsion springs significantly.

Where are Torsion Springs Found?

Thanks to spring manufacturers, our homes are filled with humble domestic examples of torsion springs, such as washing line pegs, door hinges, and clipboards.

The unique specifications of this spring can be adapted to suit a wide variety of sizes and materials. The role of a torsion spring may seem very limited, but they are a very versatile component that can be found in a broad range of different industries or roles.

Torsion springs play an essential part in the agricultural sector and the construction industry. The versatility and durability of this spring design allow it to perform consistently well, even in such hardworking environments. Torsion springs are components within ploughs, tractors, fertiliser equipment and the associated sprayers. You can also find them within the various heavy plant machinery used in construction, such as excavators.

In the automotive sector, you’ll often find chrome silicon torsion springs. The combination of the material and the design of the spring helps provide a smooth movement whilst maintaining tension along the whole spring. Torsion springs can be found as parts of gear shifts, various valves, clutches and the suspension system in general.

The medical industry relies on the highest quality products from torsion spring manufacturers for much of its essential machinery. Here is where the versatility in size and design is the most critical. Micro torsion springs are commonplace for limiting the physical size of the machines. Having access to various materials is important here also. Most torsion springs used in the medical industry are made of high carbon steel to create a superior strength spring despite its limited size and are widely used in dental equipment, prosthetics, wheelchair lifts and hospital beds.

Superior Torsion Springs from European Springs IE

We at European Spring Ireland have decades of experience manufacturing torsion springs to match the specifications required by our clients. We embrace the available versatility in this spring with our 14 torsion coiling machines that can produce high quantities of torsion spring to suit almost any shape or size you require.

Our Torsion springs can be made from wire ranging from 0.3mm to 26mm in diameter. In addition, we can offer a bespoke service that allows you to decide the quantity, material and size of your torsion springs.

By getting in touch with our team of experts, you can also discuss any custom end designs you may wish for your application.

Broken or failed equipment, tools, or components can significantly affect your production line and efficiency, especially if the same issue keeps occurring. For example, if you’re constantly finding that your springs are breaking or not lasting as long as you would imagine, you may be reducing their lifecycle with your work practices without realising.

Thus, we’re taking a look into how you can maximise the lifecycle of a spring. We’ll be looking into some important factors to consider that could affect (and reduce) a spring’s lifetime, as well as the critical steps to take to ensure you’re maximising its lifecycle and getting the most out of it.

Finally, we will explore how choosing a reliable spring supplier such as European Springs is a great way to guarantee you’re getting quality springs.

Why is Maximising the Lifecycle of a Spring Important?

Ensuring that your springs, pressings, and metal components are carefully looked after is the first step in maximising their lifecycle – but why is this important? You may not believe that something as small as a single compression spring could affect productivity in your workplace, but this is true. For example, suppose a machine you’re using to manufacture products contains springs. In that case, just one breaking or failing could result in a broken and unusable machine, meaning production comes to a halt.

Additionally, if you are manufacturing products that contain springs, you need to ensure that these components have been treated correctly, so that you’re giving your customers a quality product. If your customers come back with complaints about broken parts, it could put your business and reputation in danger.

What Are Some Factors That Affect a Spring’s Lifetime?

Several factors can affect a spring’s lifetime and reduce the quality of the spring. Let’s take a look at what some of these are:

Stress. If a spring is under a lot of pressure, it is less likely to compress as far as you need it; thus, it is more likely to break or become unusable.

Environment. If your spring has not been treated correctly for its environment, it is less likely to be functional or work to its full potential. For example, consider its temperature, magnetic field, and humidity.

Friction. If a spring is touching the sides of the hole or shaft it is placed in, then the friction between its diameter and these walls could cause permanent damage to both components.

How Can I Maximise the Lifecycle of a Spring?

As reliable and reputable spring manufacturers, we know what we’re talking about when it comes to producing and maintaining quality, so let’s get into what you need to consider to maximise the lifecycle of a spring.

Lowering Stress

Lowering the stress of a spring is one of the best things you can do to ensure you’re not overloading it and applying too much pressure. This can be done by choosing a spring with a larger wire diameter or even a lower final load which allows more room for the spring and reduces high stress. Additionally, consider reducing internal pressures on the spring by ensuring it is supported correctly.

Minimising Shock Loading

Shock loading is when the weight of a load on the spring is increased or sped up suddenly, for example, when a load is dropped from a height. This can result in diminished performance and even irreversible damage to the spring – meaning the repairs and replacement could be very costly. And whilst a couple of instances of shock loading isn’t detrimental to the spring’s lifecycle, the more times it happens, the more likely it is that the irreversible damage is done.

To minimise shock loading, friction devices such as an internal damper coil or a vibration dampening device can be used. These devices absorb some shock and take the pressure off the spring.

Keeping Temperatures Low

If a spring has not been treated correctly and is exposed to heat or extreme humidity, it could be detrimental to its performance and quality. Keeping springs cool reduces the chances of spring relaxation, which occurs in high temperatures, ultimately increasing the lifecycle of the spring.

Shot Peening

Shot peening essentially creates beneficial compressive residual stress, which increases the strength of a spring. It also prevents corrosion, cracks due to wear and tear, hydrogen embrittlement, and enhances fatigue stress. The shot peening method has been proven to increase the lifecycle of springs by five to ten times.

Choose European Springs as Your Spring Supplier

As mentioned, one of the best ways to maximise the lifecycle of a spring is to purchase your bespoke springs from reputable spring manufacturers you can trust to provide quality. We have a plethora of knowledge due to our many years of working in the industry, so we are more than equipped to provide the high quality, reliable springs you’re looking for.

We hope that this blog has been helpful and you now have a better understanding of how you can maximise the lifecycle of a spring. For more information on our products, including our compression springs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and a member of our team will be more than happy to help.

Technology is constantly evolving, particularly in the manufacturing industry. Industry professionals and tech experts regularly find new and innovative manufacturing ways, which changes and updates how the industry works. For example, one of the latest technologies to be incorporated into manufacturing is artificial intelligence. This fascinating technology comes with a long list of advantages, but some people believe it could take over, putting many workers out of a job because of its capabilities.

That is why, in today’s blog, we’re looking into the use of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry. We will explain what artificial intelligence is and the various types and the different services for artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry. We will also look at the advantages of its use and the drawbacks in an attempt to see how this incredible technology could one day take over the manufacturing and engineering industries.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Firstly, we need to look into what artificial intelligence is. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is an area of computer science concerned with smart computers and machines capable of completing tasks that a human typically completes. There are various types of artificial intelligence. We use some in our day-to-day lives, for example, our voice-activated virtual assistants inside our smartphones like Siri or Alexa, and smart intelligence within Netflix recommendations.

Other, more advanced artificial intelligence is used to help build machinery and perform instant calculations, for example, those used within the manufacturing industry. Let’s take a look at what these are.

Examples of Artificial Intelligence in the Manufacturing Industry Today

AI can be seen in many manufacturing stages and is often used in areas that require checks and calculations to ensure no human errors are made. Here are some examples of where you might find artificial intelligence:

During quality checks. Minor flaws in products and machinery might be difficult for humans to pick up, so AI is often used to quality check and eliminate human error.

Supply chain management. For example, in warehouses, AI is used to monitor the process of manufacturing, from production all the way through to delivery. From here, it can be organised and analysed to ensure the warehouse runs smoothly.

Forecast product demand. Using smart technology similar to the AI that Netflix uses to predict what you might want to watch accurately, manufacturers can use artificial intelligence to analyse trends in product demand and forecast future demand.

Robotics in manufacturing. AI is used in robotics within manufacturing to do repetitive, tedious jobs. With the support of human workers, these AI robots can perform efficiently and without error, speeding up the manufacturing process.

These are just a few examples. In fact, artificial intelligence can be used at almost every stage of the manufacturing process – but what are the advantages to using this technology?

The Advantages of Using Artificial Intelligence in the Manufacturing Industry

There are many advantages to using artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry. For example, you can have a 24/7 production line by implementing robotics with AI capabilities. Humans cannot be expected to work without breaks, but robots can continue working quickly and efficiently without stopping.

Another advantage of this technology is that they eliminate human error. They can complete calculations and perform tasks seamlessly, quickly, and at a speed that the human brain cannot match. It’s because of this that they are used for quality checks. For example, as spring manufacturers, we could use this technology to quality check our compression springs and ensure they are suitable to be distributed.

Finally, they have a low operational cost. While artificial intelligence may be expensive to implement into your business, it has the potential to complete tasks quicker and to a higher standard than humans and doesn’t have to be paid a wage as people do. Of course, there are maintenance expenses, but the work they can produce often equates to much more than this expense.

The Drawbacks of Using Artificial Intelligence in the Manufacturing Industry

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to using artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry. Some people don’t agree with the concept of AI as they believe it is taking away potential jobs for humans. In some cases, this is true, and robotics have replaced many people’s jobs. However, it has also opened up a completely different area of manufacturing and provided engineers and computer scientists with more career options, working to develop and maintain this technology.

Another potential drawback of artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry is that it constantly evolves and can be difficult (and expensive) to keep up with. Suppose you implement AI into your factory, for example. In that case, you may find that in a few months, your technology is outdated and a new version with more advanced capabilities is available. This goes hand in hand with the fact that you will need an expert to help with this technology. As it’s an ever-changing industry, it can be challenging to find an AI expert, which is why many businesses avoid implementing the technology in the first place.

Will Artificial Intelligence Eventually Take Over?

This is difficult to say, as although AI has fantastic capabilities and can out-perform humans on many levels, it cannot do everything or be creative. Whilst it can suggest a movie it has decided you might like, this isn’t because it knows you, cares about you, or thinks you will enjoy it. This “decision” is based on what you have watched previously and your ratings for those movies or TV shows.

This is the same with manufacturing. AI can help produce items, yet it cannot suggest new items. But, again, this is something that only humans can do, and this creative side to people is needed in manufacturing just as much as the data checks and rapid production.

Whether this will happen in the future is unclear, but nothing is truly impossible with the rapid evolution of technology.

How Can We Prepare for the Future?

If you’re involved in manufacturing, it’s a great idea to stay one step ahead and keep updated with industry news. You can do this by reading our blog, which we frequently update with articles.

As spring suppliers, we’re fascinated by artificial intelligence and its potential for the manufacturing industry. We’re always interested in expanding our technologies and implementing new ways to provide our customers with the best springs and pressings available on the market.

If you’re interested in our springs, pressings, or metal components, please feel free to get in touch, and a member of our team will be more than happy to help.

With 5G set to revolutionise the manufacturing industry, there is much speculation on the importance of manufacturers adopting the technology as early as possible. Here, we will consider the benefits that 5G is likely to bring, when it will be rolling out, and what this means for manufacturing.

What Is 5G?

5G is the latest upgrade to mobile data. If you have used 2G, 3G or 4G on your phone, then you can imagine that, but much, much faster. While the general consumer only handles 3G or 4G for sending and receiving social interactions on their mobiles, there are significant repercussions for its fine-tuning for technology, including for those working in the manufacturing sector.

Mobile data works using radio waves, and 5G data will be transmitted over a section of the available bandwidth. It will be transmitted via phone masts and similar, with greater coverage occurring initially in cities where higher numbers of people can make use of the technology. As 5G becomes more popular and more technology is created that can use it, it will spread throughout the nation until it becomes the new normal.

What Are the Benefits of 5G?

This new mobile data is substantially faster than its predecessors, offering substantially faster download and upload speeds. Not only is this a great asset for downloading movies, but it will have a significant impact on the future of important society-changing technology, such as the development of driverless cars.

For an insight into the speed of 5G, it is ten times faster than 4G. Where is would previously take fifteen minutes to download a film on 4G, it will take you three minutes on a 5G connection.

When Will 5G Be Here?

5G is already here! In the UK, EE and Vodafone were the first to introduce a 5G plan back in May 2019. Since then, all major phone service providers have rolled out 5G packages; however, for consumers to make use of their package, they must have access to a phone compatible with translating 5G waves into data.

The same goes for smart technology and the internet of things. To make use of this improved speed, your technology may need updating or replacing. As such, 5G has already arrived in our country, but it is still gaining traction with industrial, commercial, and domestic users.

How Will 5G Affect the Manufacturing Industry?

The main ways in which 5G will affect the manufacturing industry is through improving the developing technology used in industry 4.0. Through 5G, smart machines will be able to communicate more information with each other, faster. This has great implications for the predicted efficiency of this technology but will also increase the amount of data that they can process, analyse, and report on.

If you are struggling to envision what this will really mean for your factory, then try to visualise your production line as a series of solitary, hygienic machines, communicating statistics to each other and your staff. For example, if machine A is running out of material, it will communicate to machine B to order in new materials. Machine A might then calculate the speed at which it will completely run out of materials to make your product and to warn staff in your office when to expect a new material shipment.

In the case that the material shipment runs late, machine A could be programmed to request machine check-ups during its downtime, ordering in parts and relying on human engineers to repair any burgeoning problems.

One of the primary roles of your staff in this situation will be to oversee the machines’ performance, to study the data they send back, and to formulate plans which will help to improve your business’ productivity. With technology like this, your staff will likely be able to work fewer hours for better pay. The evolution of the smart factory is good news all round.

We are spring manufacturers with decades of experience. Our smart machines help us to engineer precise parts of consistent quality for other businesses and industries. We can supply springs for household appliances to aerodynamic vehicles. With the introduction of 5G technologies and industry 4.0 being the inevitable future of manufacturing, we look forward to seeing how our productivity, and ability to provide for our customers’, changes.

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Category: Science