Engineering Archives | European Springs

At European Springs, we manufacture a wide range of springs for many different industries and bespoke pressings and wire forms, so you’re always getting exactly what you need for your project, no matter its specifications.

Our extensive catalogue includes die springs, which are considered a version of compression springs. In this article, we’re looking at what these springs are, how they work and their applications.

What are Die Springs?

First things first, knowing what die springs are can help you decide whether they’re suitable for the application you have in mind.

As part of the compression spring family, these products are made to withstand applied stress. However, unlike other compression springs, die springs are made from rectangular wire and designed to handle considerable pressure. As a result, they can take a higher load (around 30% more) and are resistant to high temperatures, as they continue to function well up to 475^oC.

The use of rectangular wire makes all the difference since it boosts the efficiency of the spring by allowing it to store more energy in a smaller space when compared to traditional springs.

How Do Die Springs Differ from Other Compression Springs?

Die springs might be similar to compression springs, but they are purposefully created to handle a large amount of environmental stress, which is why they’re also known as high force compression springs.

These products are incredibly reliable and can be designed with various strengths, perfect for several different applications. Die springs can come with closed or open ends, depending on the product’s end use, and are also colour-coded according to strength.

This allows you to easily choose the correct spring for your project – we can also help you make a decision, so chat to us on 0208 663 1800 if you have any questions we can answer.

Benefits of Die Springs

We’ve already touched on some of the advantages of using these types of springs, but they provide many other benefits, such as the following:

Excellent performance in high-stress settings
Resistance to high temperatures
Available in several materials, including steel and chromium alloys
Variety of designs and sizes
Cost-efficient
Handle higher loads when compared to other compression springs
Resistant to wear and tear
Have a great degree of flexibility when it comes to their applications
Perfect for heavy-duty environments
Increased fatigue life
Reliable load-bearing surface
Consistency when it comes to dimensional requirements

Where to Find Die Springs?

As we’re die spring manufacturers, we understand these springs are crucial in applications that require a high degree of force in a small space, which is why you can usually find them in industrial settings, such as heavy-duty machinery.

Die springs are also used in:

Vehicles, including brakes and clutches
Aircraft engines
Farm equipment
Drills, such as those found in the oil and gas sector

So, it’s clear that these high force compression springs are typically used in factories, warehouses, the transportation industry, the agricultural industry, and more. This range of uses shows how highly versatile they are!

Quality Die Spring Manufacturing

Everyone at European Springs knows the importance of quality manufacturing when it comes to springs, pressings and wire forms, and this is true of all types of products, such as die springs.

We have many years of experience in custom spring design, which allows us to understand our clients’ needs and requirements, no matter how difficult they are or how demanding their industry or sector is.

Not only do you always receive products designed to last, but you can also be confident that our springs will be delivered to you promptly so that you can take your products to market faster.

How European Springs Can Help

As bespoke pressings and spring manufacturers, we can produce both rectangular and circular wire springs, which are suitable for different applications. When manufacturing a product, we take into account factors like the material of choice, the diameter of the wire and the size of the spring, and also the environment the spring will be used in.

This helps us ensure that you’re getting the right product for your needs. Sometimes, this can mean opting for traditional compression springs instead, as they may be the better option depending on your situation – for example, die springs are not always able to compress as much as their circular counterparts. This means that if you require a spring that can travel a lot, then a compression spring is likely the better option in that case.

Our die springs are perfect for heavy-duty use, as they offer an additional degree of resistance to environmental stresses, so browse our spring catalogue or speak to us if you’re looking for a custom-made product to meet your heavy-duty requirements.

If you’re unsure whether these products are right for you, we can help by advising on the best springs for your project – just get in touch for more information. We also offer a variety of other springs from compression springs and tension springs to torsion springs.

It’s no secret that the world is not the same place as it was two years ago. The effects of Covid-19 swept across the globe and changed our lives in a multitude of ways. Our work lives changed as industries faced the unprecedented times and were forced to cope with the new way of living and working.

One of the most affected industries was manufacturing; as supply chain issues built up, so did demand, which left companies all over the UK struggling to cope. Unfortunately, the industry lost many businesses during the pandemic – but it’s not all doom and gloom. Coronavirus gave the manufacturing sector the chance to show its resilience.

Here at European Springs, we’re firm believers that the manufacturing industry is built with strong people who can pull through the worst times. The way that many UK manufacturers, including ourselves, coped during the pandemic proved that.

Today, we’re looking into the resilience of the manufacturing industry and how it coped with the setbacks and changes.

How Did the Pandemic Affect the Manufacturing Industry in the UK?

One of the most significant impacts the pandemic had on the manufacturing industry was the supply chain. Materials were difficult to get hold of due to supply issues such as the decrease in materials produced by companies because of the covid restrictions and staff absences.

This had a knock-on effect and impacted the entire manufacturing line. For example:

Delayed deliveries. Even though delays were expected during the unprecedented times, it didn’t mean that they weren’t met with disappointed and angry customers. Not only were customer deliveries delayed, but all deliveries were delayed, which meant manufacturers had to wait for their suppliers.
Rising costs. Due to the disruption that the pandemic had caused to businesses, many were forced to up their prices. Again, this had a knock-on effect, and suppliers increased their costs, which meant manufacturing became incredibly expensive for both the customer and the production line.

Increased Risk and Uncertainty. The world stood still, and many of us were left questioning everything: when we could see family and friends again, when we could return to work when our businesses could re-open. Business owners had a high level of risk involved in their job as one wrong move, and their company could have collapsed.

Other Struggles the Industry Faced

As well as the setback of Covid-19, the manufacturing industry is still dealing with the effects of Brexit. Due to the long list of ever-changing rules and regulations, there was a lot of confusion surrounding deliveries, supply chain issues, customs, and frequent protocol changes. Because of this, the industry took a huge hit, and unfortunately, many manufacturing businesses shut down. This, however, did not help the situation, as although delays were aplenty, demand was higher than ever, so as more businesses closed and the labour shortage rose, more struggled under the weight of the ever-growing list of issues.

How Did the Manufacturing Industry React to These Struggles?

For companies who provide specialist products and services such as bespoke spring manufacturers like ourselves, resilience was at the forefront of our drive to push through and still deliver our fantastic service and high-quality products despite the struggles.

As spring manufacturers, our products are required in a long list of various industries, from defence to agriculture to the medical sector and everything in between. At first, it was difficult for manufacturing companies like ourselves to adjust to this high demand, so many companies did not recover.

On top of this, as mentioned, due to illness and covid restrictions, many companies were understaffed. The labour shortage was something that many businesses struggled with and meant that remaining staff members were under pressure, resulting in stress and frustration.

How Did the Industry Recover?

At multiple points over the last two years, it has seemed like it has been one thing after another, which meant it has been challenging to see how the situation was ever going to improve. However, in early 2022, we can finally say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and recent surveys amongst the manufacturing industry have proven just how resilient the sector can be.

Output balance reached a peak and have risen by 42%, which was a huge relief to the industry. In addition to this, jobs are continuing to grow by 23% – a fantastic indicator that we are continuing to inspire people to join our resilient industry and become part of a sector they’re proud to be in.

We, too, are proud to be part of the manufacturing industry here at European Springs. We’re not just torsion spring manufacturers, tension spring manufacturers, or providers of pressings and wire forms; we’re part of a bigger picture and are living proof of the strength of manufacturers in the UK.

To join our team as one of our apprentices or learn more about our work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

To commemorate National Apprenticeship Week, we wanted to give some inspiration for those lucky enough to teach STEM subjects such as engineering. Teaching is a fascinating and rewarding career, but despite this, it can be challenging at times, especially when it comes to finding fresh new ideas to inspire the younger generations.

Engaging students in engineering is crucial, as it gives them a better understanding of the science and how it’s beneficial for society. Nurturing and developing students’ interest in engineering should begin in classrooms at an early age. Additionally, it’s vital to make it clear to students that university isn’t the only path and that, as young people, they should keep their options open.

That is why we’re looking into some engineering activities you can use in your classroom to help with lessons and hopefully spark some inspiration in your students to encourage them to continue with their engineering studies and participate in an apprenticeship. We’ll explore various activities that you can do with students of all ages – let’s take a look.

Team Building Activities

Group activities have the advantage of teaching students how to work together and use their strengths for the benefit of the team. It also allows them to develop interpersonal skills and self-confidence. For instance, you could have a paper plane contest. Students can create a design of their own or choose an existing one that they think is the fastest; they can then test this, and the plane that flies the furthest wins. Exercises like these help students develop their critical and spatial skills. It’s also an excellent activity for all ages. Primary school-age children will enjoy the excitement of testing their planes and watching them fly, whereas A-Level or high school-age young adults may see it as more of a competition and want to create the most successful design.

Another group activity that often proves successful is an escape room. This trend started with computer and phone games but has evolved into physical spaces. The idea is to place students in a closed room, and they have to solve clues and puzzles to get out. You can even divide students into teams, and the group that escapes the room with the fastest time is the winner. Not only is this a fun activity, but it allows students to think rationally, make decisions on the spot, grow their analytical skills, and become more confident in expressing their opinions. So get creative and design the escape room yourself in the classroom, or take it as an exciting opportunity to get out and go on a trip.

Experiments

Engineering can be a very practical science, so it only stands to reason that students should experience it that way. Conducting experiments in class will undoubtedly draw the students’ attention, as it’s something more visual and different from anything else they’re used to. In addition, when students see for themselves how engineering can be applied in the real world, they will be more interested in learning its ins and outs.

This is because even though engineering and maths, for instance, are objective and exact sciences, for many, they can be too ‘abstract’. This means that students might find it difficult to see the practicality of what they learn in class. Doing experiments can change that perspective and interest students in engineering. For example, building a functional pinwheel can help students better understand wheel-and-axle mechanisms, and constructing a set of gears will allow them to develop spatial and mathematical skills.

The options are limitless! Teaching engineering in the classroom requires creativity so that you can engage students in this and other STEM sciences from an early age.

Make Your Activities Appropriate for All Learning Types

The above activities are very hands-on and perfect for those who learn best through practical tasks; however, it’s important to remember that not everyone learns best this way and that engineering isn’t always practical. In addition, the industry is so large and needs many different types of people to function as a whole. Consequently, you must include all kinds of learners in your teaching. For example, consider maths-based activities such as data collections as well as visual learning activities such as engaging videos and TV shows.

Try and cover as many learning types as you can in one session – you never know who you’re going to spark some inspiration in.

Ensuring Everyone is Included

Being inclusive is vital and something that we here at European Springs actively encourage. Engineering is a heavily male-dominated field, with women making up just 14.5% of engineers in the UK as of a report made in June 2021.

The key to levelling out these numbers is inspiring younger generations of women, which starts in the classroom. Just one activity completed in a classroom in primary school could spark an interest in a young girl that stays with her all the way through to choosing her career path as an engineer.

Engineering Apprenticeships at European Springs

At European Springs, we’re proud of our work to inspire and encourage younger generations to get involved in the engineering industry. We take on apprentices each year and work closely with them to develop their skills in an area that interests them. We do this by following a structure of hands-on learning techniques, including:

Shadowing 
Supervised work
Studying
Assessment

If you’re someone considering an engineering apprenticeship, take some inspiration in National Apprenticeship Week and get in touch with the team at European Springs to start your journey.

Additionally, if you’re a teacher, we hope that this article has been helpful, and you now have some fresh ideas for getting your students engaged and interested in this fascinating industry.

As experienced spring manufacturers, not only do we provide unmatched knowledge and advice backed up by our years of experience, but we can help you out by providing quality bespoke pressings, custom springs, and other metal components. Please feel free to contact us to find out more about our products and services – a member of our team will be more than happy to help.

Nearly half of manufacturing businesses have been the victims of cyber-crime at some point. Since the pandemic, more and more companies have embraced the benefits of using the internet. There are clear advantages when using digital technology to manage your business and conduct e-commerce, but unfortunately, they now come with certain risks, namely the threat of cyber-attacks.

This article will explain cyber-crime, why it’s a threat to your business, and how to protect yourself best.

The Invisible Thief: Cyber-Crime

Cyber-crime has become an umbrella term for any crime committed that was either ‘Cyber-dependant’ or ‘Cyber-enabled.’

Cyber-dependant. Hacking to steal or damage a system or spreading malware for financial gain, for example.

Cyber-enabled. Committing fraud or data theft through computer networks, for example.

With the development of the first computer viruses in the early 1980s, the door was opened to attack other people’s computers. While these initially started as harmless pranks or experiments, they quickly led to harmful criminal activity as the internet grew more popular.

Types of Cyber-Crime

Cybercriminals are vicious and ruthless. Invading systems to take control or exploit private data are the two main goals of these criminals. Additionally, once they have what they want, they will attempt to extort money from you to fix everything. As a result, most businesses never truly recover as the attack causes permanent damage to your company’s reputation.

All of this is money leaving your pocket for no good reason; a sound cyber security system will help you keep that money where it belongs.

What To Watch Out For

With businesses conducting confidential business online and storing valuable information, the temptation has never been higher for cybercriminals. Given a chance, they will not hesitate to damage your system permanently.

Ransomware

Is a type of virus that will prevent your workers from accessing your IT systems. As more businesses incorporate hybrid working with remote systems, this type of attack has increased. Their goal is to hold the system captive until they are paid a substantial sum.

Spyware

Any business holding customer information is a potential target for ransomware. For example, our customer database and custom spring designs are confidential. Without our cybersecurity in place, they would be a vulnerable and tempting target.

Then a successful attack would require you to hire outside experts to verify the data is still confidential or notify the people whose information was leaked.

Data Erasure Malware

Some Cyber-criminals are not in it for the money; some are known as ‘Hacktivists.’ A Hacktivist would want to get a virus into your system to cause chaos. They could erase valuable data like order histories, customer contact details or specifications. They could erase your website without your knowledge, so that it would require reconstruction.

There are many ways to achieve this once they are in, so it’s vital to maintain a sound cyber security plan to keep them out.

How To Protect Yourself

No business is immune to online threats, but protecting yourself from online threats may feel necessary until your luck runs out, that is. The financial cost of the disruption to your business alone is the best-case scenario, and the worst case would be far more expensive. And suddenly, you’ll wish you had taken the time to defend yourself adequately.

Fortunately, in our 70 years of experience as leading bespoke spring manufacturers, we have learnt some good business practices for protecting ourselves online, which we’ve shared below:

Updating your Antivirus Regularly

Taking the time regularly to make sure your software is up to date will ensure you have the most robust defence against any intrusions. Unfortunately, new viruses and hacks are being developed by criminals all the time. The best antivirus software companies will constantly update their software databases to defend against these newly created viruses, but it’s up to you to make sure your update your software.

Additionally, it’s your responsibility to make sure the antivirus software you choose to begin with is the best on the market. You need to imagine this software like hiring a new staff member, one whose sole job is to protect you from online threats and updating your software is training your employee.

We at European Springs and Pressings wholeheartedly recommend investing in your online protection. Investing in your software as much as your staff is securing your long term future, and we believe in developing people for the future.

Passwords and Two-Factor Authentications

Your passwords are like the lock to your home, and you want them both to be as hard to break as possible. Using encrypted passwords will have a significant positive effect on your cyber security. Try using combinations of capital letters, numbers and symbols when possible to make it too complex to guess.

Having a solid password works for a while, but you should change your passwords often. Try doing it the same time you update your antivirus software to create a helpful routine.

Two-factor authentication is a fantastic addition to anyone’s online security and is essential for online businesses. Otherwise known as 2FA, two-factor authentication is the process of alerting a second source that someone is attempting a login. It’s a proven security measure amongst the banking industry and most online eCommerce sites. Most people will have encountered these at some point, such as inputting a code delivered directly to your phone or email.

Investing pays off

Being prepared for cyber threats does mean investing in cyber security, which means increased outlays. Still, as a prominent member of the Institute of Spring Technology and the leading spring manufacturers nationwide, we can attest that investing in your security and keeping it up to date will relieve you of these troubles so you can focus on your business.

We hope that this blog has been helpful and you now have a better understanding of cyber-crime and its threat to the manufacturing industry. If you have any questions or want to learn more about our products and services, please get in touch – we’re always more than happy to help.

Each step is essential to ensuring a quality result during the metal component manufacturing process. From an initial design idea to the maintenance and upkeep of materials and everything in between, high-quality care and a well-thought-out strategy is key to a successful project. Surface treatment is one of the most vital stages of the manufacturing process as it provides the metal components with additional properties, such as durability.

That is why, in today’s blog, we’re providing you with everything you need to know about surface treatment and its importance. We will explore what surface treatment is, the various methods and processes, and the benefits of the different techniques.

Additionally, as expert spring manufacturers with over 70 years of experience in the springs and pressings manufacturing industry, we will offer advice on how our surface treatment services can benefit you and your project here at European Springs.

What is Surface Treatment?

Surface treatment is when metal components are prepared for their individual usage. How a metal component is treated before use differs from how it operates – this is because the metal is primed during the surface treatment process to provide it with additional properties.

There are several surface treatment techniques that offer a range of additional properties depending on the desired use of the metal component in question. Here at European Springs, we are proud to provide a list of these treatments so you can get the desired usage out of your metal elements.

For example, we offer:

Plating
Heat treatment
Barrelling
De-Burring

As mentioned, each method allows for different results, for example, rust prevention, heat protection, or increasing the strength and durability of the component.

Why is Surface Treatment Important?

Surface treatment is an essential part of metal component manufacturing as it protects the pieces from many factors, including rust, heat, weathering, and pressure. These additional features contribute to the longevity of the component, meaning that with the proper surface treatments, you are less likely to need to replace your parts. Similarly, this also means that the maintenance and upkeep of your components will reduce with the correct surface treatment.

Additionally, this process improves the functionality of the metal and is often used for aesthetic purposes. For example, metal can be treated in preparation for painting and coatings depending on the desired look of the components.

The Various Methods of Surface Treatment

Here at European Springs, we offer a range of surface treatments for a variety of different metal components: Plating, Heat treatment, Barrelling, and De-Burring. Let’s look at what each of those entails and how you can use each method differently to add a range of additional features to your metal.

Plating

Metal Plating is a process that involves coating a metal component with a thin layer of metal. There are various reasons why someone would choose plating as their surface treatment, as it provides many benefits. For example, plating increases a metal component’s heat resistance, particularly if you prefer silver to coat the metal. As you’re adding another layer of metal to your part, plating also increases the durability and endurance of the end product. Metal plating is also chosen for its aesthetic benefits, as you can completely change the colour and texture of your component with this technique.

Heat Treatment

There are various types of heat treatment, all resulting in a different end product. As an overview, it is the process of heating and cooling metal to achieve the desired result. First, the metal is heated, kept at a specific temperature, and then cooled down – with different results occurring depending on the length of time the metal is heated and then cooled down. For example, heat treatment can strengthen, soften, relieve stress, or change grain structure. The most common heat treatments include:

Annealing
Normalising
Hardening
Ageing
Stress relieving
Tempering
Carburisation

Barrelling

Barrelling is often used for a large number of small metal components. This process removes the previous processing residues from the part. It effectively eliminates impurities and imperfections on the pieces, preparing them for further treatments and applications. Barrelling is also used for aesthetic reasons if it is the final step in the surface treatment process.

De-Burring

De-burring is similar to barrelling, as it involves removing imperfections and perfecting metal components. However, this process is more specific to eliminating sharp edges and smoothing out the pieces. In addition, this process is often done after other surface treatments, which may have left sharp edges or burrs.

Contact European Springs Today

We hope this blog has been helpful, and you now know a little more about the importance of surface treatment for metal components. We’re experts in our field and are more than equipped to help you with your surface treatment requirements.

Additionally, we have a wide range of other services available, so if you’re looking for bespoke pressings for your project, we can assist. So please explore our website, look at our blog, or get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about what we can do for you.

Combining knowledge of science, technology and mathematics, engineers play a pivotal role across many different industries performing various jobs. Engineers do everything from building software systems, maintaining communication infrastructure, researching ways we can use technology to combat climate change, making high-precision springs and wire forms, and everything in between.

With a higher than average starting salary for graduates, many apprenticeship opportunities for hands-on learning, and a constant demand for skilled engineers, there’s ample reason to pursue a career in engineering. Still, with such a broad range of career paths available in the field, it can be hard to know where to start. Here at European Springs, we take on many apprentices every year and help to shape the next generation of spring manufacturing engineers. So today, we’re going to offer our advice for getting started in engineering.

Which Engineering Career Path is Right for Me?

The engineering world is diverse, and there are roles to suit all skill sets across science, manufacturing, construction and technology. Within these disciplines, you could find yourself working for some of the largest companies in the world, or perhaps you’re someone who would prefer to make a difference in a smaller company where you could be more involved in decision-making processes. Let’s familiarise ourselves with some of the most popular types of engineering.

Manufacturing Engineers

Manufacturing engineers focus on designing and operating systems for the high-speed production of competitive products. It’s a big part of what we do as spring manufacturers and can include working with computer networks, machine tools, material handling equipment and robotics. Being a manufacturing engineer means finding ways to develop cost-effective products without compromising quality, like our customer spring design services.

Chemical Engineers

Chemical engineering involves developing industrial processes that transform raw materials into products. This is a vast field that, in simple terms, consists of turning one material into something else – oil, gas, plastic; it’s all a result of chemical engineering.

Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineers design, test and oversee the manufacturing of new electrical systems. This field can involve working with computers, mobile devices, lighting, building wiring and even household appliances.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineering involves the development of powered machineries such as electric generators, turbines, combustion engines, refrigeration and even escalators. If it has an engine, a mechanical engineer probably had a hand in making it.

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers take care of the infrastructure within our cities and towns, focusing on roads, water supplies, bridge maintenance and buildings.

We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of engineering as a profession, and there are many more avenues you can take; the possibilities are endless and continuously in demand. When deciding which is suitable for you, think about your skills and strengths and where you think you could put them to best use.

What Qualifications and Experience Are Needed?

Each engineering discipline will have its own requirements for entry. Although you will be at an advantage if you have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (BEng), there will often be alternative routes into your chosen industry.

If you’re following an academic route, a Bachelor’s of Science (BSc) in a relevant subject (chemistry, maths, environmental sciences or computer sciences, for example) will serve you well as a path into engineering.

But for many engineering careers, such as manufacturing, electrical and mechanical, you can usually enter the industry without a university degree. These professions are hands-on, practical, and better suited to on-the-job learning through apprenticeships and graduate schemes. Find out all you need to know about engineering apprenticeships – you never know, it could be the right path for you.

We would always recommend that anyone looking to enter the world of engineering – regardless of their chosen sector – takes an interest in technology, maths, and science, as these are the key subjects around which engineering is built.

Standing Out in Engineering

If you’re applying for a graduate engineering opportunity, make sure your CV stands out, but keep it professional, clear and concise. Hone in on the relevant skills and qualifications you think make you a good fit for the position and use facts and figures to support your claims wherever possible. Always check your spelling and grammar, and don’t be afraid to shout about your achievements.

You may come across opportunities to do engineering placements or internships, either as part of your course or through job advertisements. Whether or not you receive payment depends on the company, although many internships are unpaid, designed to help you get your foot in the door. In addition, they can help you develop the skills your need for a future career in engineering and demonstrate to potential employers that you are serious about your job.

Unpaid positions aren’t realistic for everyone, though. Depending on your personal circumstances, it may not be feasible to give up a lot of your time for free. This is why apprenticeships are so great, as they allow you to learn and develop your skills whilst earning a wage.

We wish you the best of luck in whichever engineering path you decide to take. If you’re interested in learning more about manufacturing engineering, speak to us today. European Springs is one of the leading spring manufacturers, and we take on apprentices every year to help grow and inspire the next generation of engineers.