How to Design a Spiral Spring for Controlled Unwinding?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on designing a spiral spring for controlled unwinding, emphasizing the need for a mechanism that allows for slow energy release. Participants suggest using a clockwork escapement, such as a Geneva wheel, for slow unwinding, and recommend incorporating a flywheel for steadiness. Additionally, they highlight the complexity of power spring design and mention that various books and journals contain formulas for approximating turns and torque. For precise design predictions, the website spiral-spring.com is recommended.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical engineering principles
  • Familiarity with power spring design concepts
  • Knowledge of clockwork mechanisms, specifically Geneva wheels
  • Basic principles of rotational dynamics and flywheel functionality
NEXT STEPS
  • Research power spring design formulas in engineering textbooks
  • Explore the mechanics of clockwork escapements
  • Learn about the integration of flywheels in mechanical systems
  • Visit spiral-spring.com for software tools related to spring design
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, product designers, and hobbyists interested in spring mechanisms and energy release systems will benefit from this discussion.

penpepper
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does anyone know how to design a spiral spring. i need to design a spiral spring for my project but can't find the theory to design it. i am more concerned with the no of revolutions that a spring can give. Also i need to have a controlled unwinding ie it should release its energy slowly. Anyone knows any mechanism that will solve the problem.
Plz tell me of any ebook or any authors name.
 
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Welcome to PF, Penpepper.
I'm afraid that I can't help you with the spring design, but there are lots of others here who can.
As for the unwinding, does it just have to be slow, or slow and steady? If the former, any sort of clockwork escapement such as a Geneva wheel would work. If steadiness is required, I'd consider adding a flywheel to the system.
 
Power spring design can be very complicated. There are some simple formulas that can approximate turns and full torque. These are available in various books and journals. For more design details as well as software that can predict power spring design accurately visit http://www.spiral-spring.com"
 
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