Spring Design Tips and Tricks

ASD Software Exports 3D Coordinates

By Todd Piefer

Spring Design Tips and Tricks

Figure 1: ASD Extension Spring Design Example.

Figure 2: Z-X Centerline Coordinate Plot from ASD for the Extension Spring Example in Figure 1.

Table 1: Coordinates for the spring shown in Figure 2. S prings are often vital machine design components. As such, engineers need to integrate springs into their 3D models. The SMI/UTS Advanced Spring Design (ASD) software now includes 3D coordinate export via its Tools menu. The 3D coordinates are exported to a .CSV file that can be viewed in Microsoft Excel or text editors and imported into solid modeling programs. Springmakers with ASD can email the coordinates to their customers as part of their service to them.

ASD spring designs involve complex helical shapes that can be tricky to generate in solid modeling programs. Extension springs can have various end shapes proceeding from cylindrical or tapered body coils. The process is simplified if the 3D coordinates are made available as they are in ASD. An example of an ASD extension spring design is shown in the figure below with inputs shown in bold.

One of three ASD coordinate plots is shown in Figure 2, presenting the Z and X axis coordinates with tapered end coils.

The table below contains a portion of the Excel file showing the exported coordinates for this spring. There are 1883 values in each column.

These coordinates can be imported into solid modeling software with the wire diameter of 0.100 in. applied. An example image is shown in Figure 3. “Spring Design Tips and Tricks” is a new feature designed to help those who use the ASD software on a regular basis. If you have a question you would like addressed by Todd Piefer of UTS or Gary Van Buren, SMI’s technical advisor, please contact Van Buren at gvanburen2@gmail.com. n

Todd Piefer is project manager at Universal Technical Systems, Inc. (UTS). UTS partners with SMI in developing and supporting the ASD software. With experience in mathematical modeling and numerical methods, Piefer supports the full-line of UTS engineering software programs. He provides spring designers with technical support and web-based orientations for ASD. Piefer can be reached at todd@uts.com or 815-963-2220.

Figure 3: Extension spring 3D image.