FastenersASIA March 2024

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Induction heating for spring applications

are critical to avoid steam pockets, material cracking and decarburisation. The machine is equipped with precise equipment to control the heating, holding time and quenching parameters. Induction heat treatment offers several advantages over traditional heating methods. The rapid heating and cooling cycles allow for an efficient process that is more economical and environmentally friendly, resulting in reduced cycle times, lower energy consumption and increased productivity. The rapid heating from the induction coils coupled with the machine’s electronic and mechanical control technology allows the springs to heat uniformly in a matter of seconds, which reduces decarburisation levels, maintaining the material’s surface quality and wear resistance. also plays a pivotal role in tailoring the microstructure of materials, leading to enhanced mechanical properties and performance. During induction heat treatment, the raw material undergoes various phase transformations, such as austenitisation, followed by precisely controlled quenching to achieve the desired microstructure. These changes Induction heat treatment For applications that require extra bearing surface for the mating component, the CL6100 headed compression limiter has the same features as the CL6000, with the addition of a head. Spirol is simultaneously launching the CL8000 brass precision machined compression limiters, and CL8100 headed brass version, for applications that require a galvanic alternative to aluminium. Spirol offers several different standard types of compression limiter to meet specific application requirements and assembly methods. The current Series CL600 and CL800 lines are being replaced with the enhanced CL6000 and CL8000. Benefits of the new lines include:

Melling Performance Springs (MPS), based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, UK, has invested in specialist induction heat treatment equipment that will pro vide increased design and manufactur ing capabilities for the most demanding compression spring applications. Induction heat treatment is an efficient and precise method of hardening springs made from strategically selected materials. The process improves the mechanical and physical properties of the spring material. During induction heat treatment, an alternating current is passed through a set of parallel copper coils, creating a rapidly alternating magnetic field. When a spring is placed within these induction coils, the magnetic field induces eddy currents within the spring material, generating heat due to resistance. This localised heating allows for precise control over the heating process, resulting in uniform and consistent heating. Once heated to an exact temperature, and held for a specific time, parts are then rapidly cooled using an exact concentration of a specialised polymer-based coolant at a controlled temperature. These quench parameters Compression limiters are designed to reinforce high stress joints in plastic assemblies where bolts are used to connect two components to each other. They protect the plastic from excessive compression by absorbing the load when the bolt is tightened to the recommended tightening torque. This ensures the durability and reliability of the joint throughout the product’s lifespan. The CL6000 is machined from 2024 grade aluminium, which provides a combination of strength, corrosion resistance and machinability. The CL6000 aluminium compression limiters are claimed to be 40 per cent stronger while being a third of the weight of similar

Induction heat treatment improves the mechanical and physical properties of the spring material

in microstructure directly impact the mechanical properties of the material, including hardness, tensile strength, toughness and wear resistance. The increased hardness, coupled with optimised methods of shot peening, allows Melling Performance Springs to increase the levels of compressive residual stress induced into the material. These improved levels of compressive residual stress enhance the material and provide a beneficial counterbalance to the tensile residual stress. This enables MPS to manufacture higher stressed parts that allow for reduced weight/ active mass; improved natural frequency giving superior harmonics; improved fatigue performance, wear and relaxation resistance; and reduced chance of premature failure. Melling Performance Springs Ltd www.mellingperformancesprings.com • Precision – enhanced control of critical features and better geometric dimensioning and tolerancing make the series suitable for highly automated or moulded-in assembly processes • Retention – superior knurl formation and control result in more consistent and robust retention performance in post-mould assembly processes • Product range – a larger selection of standard products to meet expansive application requirements and preferences The new compression limiters are available in a wide range of standard sizes, in both aluminium and brass, and in headed and non-headed configurations. Spirol www.spirol.com

Precision-machined compression limiters Spirol has introduced the new Series CL6000 lightweight, lead-free, aluminium precision-machined compression limiters. compression limiters manufactured from brass.

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March 2024

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