Why is the natural frequency of a cantilever beam higher than a spiral spring?

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SUMMARY

The natural frequency of a cantilever beam is significantly higher than that of a spiral spring due to differences in their stiffness calculations. The formula for the natural frequency of a spiral spring is given by fn = 1/(2*pi) * sqrt(k/m), where k is derived from the spring constant. For a cantilever beam, the natural frequency is calculated using f = 1/(2*pi) * sqrt((3*E*I)/(l^3*m)), where E is the elastic modulus, I is the inertia of the cross-section, and l is the length. The calculations provided indicate a natural frequency of 1 Hz for the spiral spring and 46.6 Hz for the cantilever beam, highlighting the impact of geometry and material properties on frequency.

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  • Knowledge of cantilever beam theory and spring mechanics
  • Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations involving square roots and constants
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Sami Lakka
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Hi

Natural frequency of spring is fn = 1/(2*pi) * sqrt(k/m), where k = spring constant and m is the mass.

Ok, so I have a spiral spring which means that spring is coiled couple of times. Its spring constant is (according to Hartog's Mech. Vibrations), k = E*I/l, E=Elastic Modulus, I = Inertia of cross section and l = length. All good at this point.

Now I straighten the coil so I get an cantilevered beam. Its natural frequency is (according Hartog):
f = 1/(2*pi) * sqrt((3*E*I)/(l^3*m))

So assume we have a beam with 1 mm width and 10 mm height. Let's plug couple of values:
E=22*10^9 Pa, I = b^3*h*1/12, b=1*10^-3 m, h= 10*10^-3 m, l = 40*10^-3 m
m = 0.01 kg (just some value)
f (spiral spring) = 1 Hz
f (cantilevered beam) = 46.6 Hz (??)

Why is the natural frequency of the cantilever beam so much higher than the spiral spring? Am I using wrong equations?
 
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For a standard helical spring, Shigley states the stiffness is:
k = \frac{d^4 G}{8D^3 N}
Where d is the wire diameter, G is the shear modulus, D is the spring diameter, and N is the number of coils. Your formula doesn't take into consideration the number of coils. May I ask where you got it from.
 

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