Lab 1 : Material lab

PROGRAM KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

FAKULTI INDUSTRI KEJURUTERAAN
LAB SHEET

EXPERIMENT 3 :TORSION OF A SPIRAL SPRING

1.INTRODUCTION
Spiral springs fulfill three separate functions. In the first place they are used as torsional
springs where a large rotation and low spring rate is required. Secondly they are used for
storing and returning energy in the motors of clockwork mechanisms and toys. Lastly
they have been used for centuries in the timing of clocks and watches, although this is
now obsolete as quartz crystal timing has replaced them.

The typical mounting of a spiral spring is to anchor the outer end and attach the inner end
to a shaft to which a couple is applied. The spring can be "wound up" on the shaft, and
for large rotations the original spiral shape must be distorted. The springs are usually thin
and flexible so they can accept the distortion without exceeding stress limit.
2.APPARATUS

Spiral spring coiled from a 2.02 m length of 25 x 0.63 mm steel strip to give an
effective length of 2 m from the end clamp to the pin fastening it to the shaft.

Shaft carrying the spring mounted in self aligning ball bearings set in a wall
bracket and has a 3600 circular scale to measure rotation.

Cord wrapped round a drum with a diameter of 38 mrn (effective radius 20 rom)
and leading down to a load hanger.

3.OBJECTIVE

To compare the performance of a plane spiral spring with simple theory.

4.PROCEDURE
1. The position of spiral spring was checked to be in a reasonably regular shape in
the rest position.
2. The load hanger cord was winded round the shaft three turn so that a vertical load
will tighten up the spring.
3. The load hanger was added and regarded as zero load.
4. The circular scale was set to zero.
5. Loading up to 20 N was applied by increments of 2 N, and the rotation of the
spring was recorded in Table 1.
6. The load was removed and the load hanger cord was winded round the shaft in the
opposite direction.
7. The procedure above repeated.

5.RESULTS

Plot the results on a graph of rotation against load and draw a best fit straight line
through the points

Calculate the gradient and use it to derive the torsional stiffness of the spring
T19, where T is the couple in Nmm and is the rotation in radians.

Compare this with the theoretical value derived as follows.

6. APPENDIX
Consider a plane spiral spring attached to a shaft at the centre and to an anchor point A at
the outer end. A couple T is applied to the shaft, giving rise to reactions Px and Py at A.

Let t he co-ordinates 0 f a point Bon t he spring be x, y referred to an origin at A. the

bending moment at B is

and if the element of the spring at B has a length ds then the change in angle between the
tangents at each end of the element due to the applied moment is

The total change of angle over the whole spring

The integrals are the moment about the axis at A of the whole length of the spring, so
approximately

Hence

7.OBSERVATIONS
1. Did the spring exhibit liner elastic behaviour?
2. Was there any significant difference between winding up and winding? If there was
what is the likely cause?
3. Do the results verify the simplified theory

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Industri Selangor

Revised AUG:2005

RESULT
TABLE 1
Torsion of a Sprial Spring
Load (N)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

Winding up Rotation (0)

Unwinding Rotation (0)