2016 has been an amazing year for European Springs; we have installed some fantastic equipment that can help us achieve extremely high quality springs and pressing in a fraction of the time it normally takes.


We have also taken part in some amazing projects, such as the Tate Modern, the West Ham Stadium, and Liberty of London. But what will happen, in an engineering perspective, next year? Well, we will look into some possible things that could occur.

Virtual Reality in the Aerospace Sector

Virtual reality has become one of the most accepted pieces of equipment of 2016; it’s become so popular that nearly everyone wants a brand new virtual reality headset. However, there are only a few select sectors that fully utilise the extent of virtual reality.

The entertainment industry is, without a doubt, the sector that uses virtual reality the most. Everything from virtual reality gaming to cinemas is becoming increasingly popular. However, one sector that would greatly benefit from virtual reality is the aerospace sector.

It is already known that the air force uses virtual reality in their training exercises to ensure that the fighter pilots are confident enough to fly a virtual aircraft, ensuring that they have what it takes for the real thing. However, pilots of commercial aircraft would also greatly benefit from virtual reality, as it will teach pilots crucial training points and tips.

Engineering in Space

We have seen some fantastic things being achieved this year when it comes to exploring outside of our planet; the spacecraft Juno reached Jupiter in July 2016 and the satellite New Horizons reached Pluto in the same month, making it the first spacecraft to explore the dwarf planet.

But what is left when it comes to satellites being sent into space? In the next year, there will be many missions of sending spacecraft into space, but there is one that we are particularly interested in.

This mission is a Boeing Orbital Flight Test that will take place at the end of next year. The test will include sending an unmanned space capsule into orbit around the Earth, built by Boeing and collaborated with Bigelow Aerospace, for testing. The main mission is to send a crew to the ISS, meaning that it could eventually lead to sending people into space once again since there would be no more space shuttles being sent into space as of 2011.

The Advancement of Robotics

Robotics have been incredibly important to the manufacturing industry, and even to other important industries; one ‘robot’ that we are proud to have at European Springs is the Bruderer BSTA 500-110B. As such, we like to see when there are significant advances in the world of robotics.

One such advancement that will be occurring in 2017 is the link between the automotive industry and robotics. In the next year, Toyota will be releasing a robot known as the Kirobo Mini, which will revolutionise the toys that people will be able to communicate with in the future.

The robot will be able to speak and take part in casual conversation whilst also moving its head and arms at the same time. There is a camera inside that can read facial expressions, meaning that it is able to interpret human emotions; something that can completely change child interactions.

It is an exciting time for engineering and manufacturing as a whole; who knows what we will expect to see in such a thriving and ever-changing world.

As leading springs manufacturers, we understand how certain techniques change constantly, from industrial processes to new methods of undergoing safety checks.

Christmas is less than two weeks away and Santa is taking care of the last preparations before he delivers millions of gifts to children all over the world. With the amount of work that needs to be done, Santa needs a multitude of machinery to help speed up the process.


From toys to Santa’s sleigh, components such as springs and wire forms help to create a truly magical time for every child on Earth.

Flying the Sleigh in the Nick of Time

In order to deliver all of the presents to boys and girls in time for Christmas, Santa needs to have a specially designed sleigh that is able to withstand the trip. To understand how durable Santa’s sleigh needs to be, we need to look at the physics behind his amazing feat.

The sleigh, according to Dr Larry Silverberg from North Carolina State University, is much more advanced than any technology we have for air transportation. The professor of mechanical aerospace engineering theorises that Santa would have advanced knowledge of the space and time continuum in order to travel around the world on Christmas’ Eve.

Einstein’s Theory of Relativity says that time runs differently for observers who are moving relative to each other – which could see only a few minutes passing on Earth while Santa has months to deliver his presents. Science can explain how Santa can deliver all of the presents in one night, and the sleigh needs to be built with extremely durable materials.

Springs are highly important in engineering, and Santa’s sleigh is no different. Able to withstand the high velocity experienced by the sleigh, springs are components that require a functional design in order for all of the sleigh mechanisms to work properly.

A Toy for Every Child

When building the popular game Mousetrap, a tension spring allows for the mice to be trapped and for the game to be played. But that’s not the only application Santa has for tension springs; the game Hungry Hungry Hippos uses tension springs to allow the hippos to catch the food.

Toys such as a Jack-in-the-Box utilise a torsion spring as a component in the gear system. After turning the crank, the torsion spring trigger a lock that make the clown pop out of the box. These springs store mechanical energy when they’re twisted, allowing for toys to entertain children around the world.


Santa builds a wide variety of toys that require springs to be designed in a varied amount of shapes and sizes. At European Springs we are expert spring manufacturers , and our team is able to design springs to specification, ensuring that all Santa’s projects are completed to his requirements. If you want to know more about our services, you can contact us on +44 (0) 208 663 1800 to speak to our team; we’re always happy to answer any query you might have.

Alternatively, you can also followus on Facebook and Twitter to see our latest news and updates.

05/12/2016
A lot of companies love having an opportunity to show off their expertise, knowledge, and authority within their industry. Here at European Springs, we're no different! We really love to show off, especially when it comes to showing you all what we are capable of.

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A few weeks ago, various springs manufacturers from across the world came to London for a conference meeting, and then afterwards, arrived at European Springs for a tour, talk, and demonstration of our skills. Here are the highlights of what happened.

One of a Kind

During the meeting that took place at the European Springs and Pressings manufacturing site in London, the Technical Director of European Springs, Howard Downs, presented a customer project that was initiated during last year's meeting.

The project itself was, in fact, a customer request for a secateurs springs that a client, Stumpp and Schule, had received. It was appreciated in the European Springs community, and therefore have developed prototypes of these springs and met with the end client, which was Bosch, the engineering and electrics company.

The reason why this was noted is because the secateurs spring, according to the rest of the meeting attendees, was actually the first one that was produced in the Lesjofors group; a magnificent achievement that showed willingness, dedication, and engineering expertise.

Reaching Greater Manufacturing Standards

After Howard Downs talked about the customer project to the attendees, Peter Bodilly, part of the Production Team at European Springs, discussed a tool that is used in the Lesjofors AB group that is used to check nearest corresponding standard known as the Spring Material Selector.

The tool was created by the Institute of Spring Technology, also known as the IST, and it is used to manage other international standards if your material stock is according to a standard that is listed another country.

The tool is a website and it is incredibly useful to manufacturing sites that are already exporting their products abroad but also want to widen their scope when it comes to the export industry. As such, the European Springs manufacturing sites at London and Cornwall would both benefit greatly from this tool, which could mean that the possibility of greater standards management is nearer to the horizon than we previously thought.

The meeting was a complete success and we were extremely privileged to be a part of it. With the industry constantly changing and certain companies wanting even more requirements present, such as certain ISO certifications and the following of international standards, by complying to these, the manufacturing industry will, without a doubt, develop a much safer and environmentally friendly industry.

As specialist spring manufacturers and experts in producing extremely high quality wire forms, we always want to make sure that the products that we manufacture are of the highest quality, which is why they always go through our intensive quality checks, to ensure that they are capable of being use in any situation.

If you want to know more about springs and the industries that we supply to, make sure to contact us today and one of our incredibly friendly members of staff will be more than happy to help.

European Springs

Springs are one of the most versatile man-made objects that we use in everyday life. But where are springs most used in terms of industry-related situations?

Let European Springs take you on a journey through the winding turns of industry and manufacturing, exploring how springs are used in various sectors.

Springs in the aeronautical industry

Springs in Land Transport

There are a couple of areas in which springs are used within transport; the most important of these is their use in suspension systems. In small vehicles, such as two-seater cars and motorcycles, the suspension system consists of coiled helical springs, as these provide excellent absorption when going over small holes and bumps in the road.

Certain car manufacturers such as Ford have cleverly designed revolutionary suspensions for their supercars, changing the way in which springs are used in road cars. The latest, second-generation Ford GT features a double wishbone suspension, and it has two types of springs at each corner. The torsion bar and coil spring provide two unique spring rates, one for each ride height. At the GT’s highest ride height, the torsion bars and coils act in series but when the driver engages Track mode, a hydraulic actuator at the base of each coil spring locks the spring so it no longer moves, subsequently lowering the ride height by two inches.

In larger vehicles, such as SUVs, buses and lorries, another form of spring is used within suspension systems: leaf springs. These springs are great for supporting larger loads, such as heavier chassis, containers and cabins.

In even larger vehicles, such as trains, a combination of the two are used; leaf springs and coiled helical springs are combined to ensure that the heavy load is guided by the wheels and axles along the track.

Springs in Air Transport

Aerospace is one of the largest sectors in the world when it comes to manufacturing, research and development. As such, a lot of investment has been put into the manufacturing of important parts, such as springs, valves, etc.

When it comes to aeroplane manufacturing, springs are used in everything from levers and ignition systems to landing gears. Because of the demanding precision of the industry, each spring must be of extremely high quality to ensure that no safety regulations have been missed and that all the necessary quality checks have been made.

Springs in the Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry have an incredible amount of money invested into it, as the profits can be astronomical. In the North Sea, energy companies are preparing to invest £5bn in new capital projects in 2018, which could include up to 16 oil & gas developments. However, this large amount of revenue comes with health and safety risks, especially when oil workers are stationed hundreds of miles offshore.

Various springs are used to operate the mechanistic systems on the oil rig but, more importantly, springs are also used in the drilling of the rock so that the oil can be extracted.

When drilling in a pneumatic way, the repetitive nature of the drill can cause oil leaks which are disastrous for the environment. Springs help with this by providing shock absorption for the drill and help to prevent any gas or oil leaking from the well.

Springs in the oil and gas industry

Springs in Telecommunications

We live in a world that now relies on telecommunications; mobile phones are one of the most-used products in the world. Purchasing on mobile phones is becoming more popular, as is browsing the web.

Considering this and the fact that mobile phones are used every single day, it is important that all the components within the phone are strong enough to withstand wear and tear. In telecommunications, bespoke springs, such as flat springs and pressings, are generally used to add functionality to certain parts of mobile phones, as well as being an effective way of transferring messages between a keypad and the phone itself. However, with touchscreens becoming more popular, springs are now being used in other, more beneficial ways.

Springs in Motorsport

The evolution of Formula 1 cars since the 1950s has been astonishing, as the design of the cars has become so incredibly detailed and complicated, particularly over the last decade. Teams invest heavily in the design of their cars since even the smallest details can result in a team holding a slight edge against their rivals.

Contrary to road cars, driver comfort is not a concern for designers, as the suspension is designed to optimise performance. F1 springs are not mounted directly to the suspension arms but are operated remotely through push-rods which enable variable rate springing which is where there is soft initial compliance, becoming stronger as the spring is further compressed.

A vital feature of these suspension systems is that they are adjustable, meaning that car set-up can change depending on weather conditions and the aerodynamic requirements of the track. These two factors combined with data from previous years will determine basic spring and damper settings.

Springs in Robotics

Robots are becoming used more commonly in various industries, and springs are at the core of the robotic movement. Springs are integral in ensuring smooth and human-like-mobility, which is desired by manufacturers.

Agility Robotics, a spin-off at Oregon State University, designed ATRIAS which was the first machine to demonstrate human-like dynamics. The legs are configured as a 4-bar linkage for the spring-mass model embodiment, enabling spring mass walking, which combines a mechanical system of walking with computer control.

The robotics industry will continue to advance massively, and it is likely springs will continue to play an important role in robotic development in the years to come.

springs in robotics

These industries play an incredibly important role in modern-day society. As leading spring manufacturers that also specialise in producing extremely high-quality wire forms, European Springs design and manufacture springs for a range of different industries, including some of those mentioned above.

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18/11/2016
The engineering sector provides many technological advancements that allow for the development of a wide range of industries. Modern engineering continues to research and promote enthusiasm among students in order to ensure new generations embark on a promising and rewarding career.

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4% Expected Pay Rise for Graduate Engineering

2016 is a promising year for engineering graduates, seeing a pay rise of 4% since last year. Director of Employment and Skills Policy at EEF, Tim Thomas, says that there is a high demand for engineering skills but a short supply, leading to employees paying a higher salary. Engineering supports a wide range of industries, and the sector offers well-paid and sustainable careers to attract highly-skilled workers to join their workforce.

Encouraging Girls to Pursue Engineering

In the UK, women comprise only 8% of the engineering workforce. When at a big military airshow Dawn Bonfield, former chief executive of the Women’s Engineering Society, was surprised to learn that the majority of the female students present didn’t have an interest in engineering. Around 49% of schools in the UK don’t send any girls to study A-level physics, and only a fifth of girls study the subject for their A-levels in spite of receiving similar grades as fellow male students in their GCSEs.

female engineer

It becomes vital to encourage girls to pursue engineering as a career, a matter which EDF has enthusiastically been working towards resolving with their Pretty Curious programme. Its goal is to change STEM subjects’ perception and promote engineering among girls. These subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths see only 34% of girls moving forward to A-levels, while boys’ are at 80%. Only 21% of the STEM workforce is comprised of women, and EDF’s programme is a positive step in order to increase these numbers.

The Internet of Things

Over 20 billion devices are expected to be connected to the internet by 2020, promoting an unprecedented communication of data and information. For engineering, the possibilities of this advancement will further careers, which will aid in developing optimised systems for other industries.

Vizzia founder, CEO, and President, Andrew L. Halasz, has aided clinics and hospitals in improving the efficiency of equipment management, personnel supervising and scheduling, monitoring medication and blood and human tissues, and patient care tracking. These were optimised through systems connected through Wi-Fi, ensuring data storage and analytics alongside a secure network.

internet of things

At European Springs we are leading experts in spring manufacturing and pressing, ensuring all of our engineers are highly-skilled in order to provide the best possible service. Contact us on +44 (0) 208 663 1800 to speak to our team; we’re happy to help.

Alternatively, you can also followus on Facebook and Twitter to see our latest news.

European Springs

16/11/2016
Increasingly important in today’s industries, virtual reality has a multitude of applications in addition to being developed for the gaming industry. Automotive companies such as Audi are investing in virtual reality in order to optimise their customers’ experience.

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In the architectural industry, this technology is helping to develop improved 3D designs that allow for streamlined building blueprints.

Architectural Applications

Architecture firm SHoP has utilised IrisVR’s applications in order to better view its projects, including an expansion of their Site Santa Fe Contemporary Arts Center. With Scope and Prospect software, architects can create immersive environments that aid in the construction of 3D designs. Simulated construction aids to improve processes in a timely manner, with the highest efficiency.

McCarthy Building Companies are one of America’s largest building companies, and they’ve recently started utilising virtual reality as a way of showing their clients how their project will be when finished, before construction begins. The company completed the Martin Luther King Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center in Los Angeles, in 2013, with the use of virtual reality. Nurses and doctors wore virtual reality headsets in order to provide aid in optimising the design. Mccarthy reports faster project approval and a higher client satisfaction since the adoption of the technology.

Microsoft Hololens

Microsoft Hololens is a device that utilises mixed reality in order to provide 3D content; it combines holograms with the physical world to create an astonishing augmented reality experience. Working together with the 3D modelling software SketchUp, Microsoft Hololens places holograms into the physical world, either locked in place or movable. The holograms don’t disappear if you turn your head; they remain within the real world, found by sound, allowing you to efficiently work on your projects.

Through this technology, architects can utilise responsive holograms that are easily interacted with. Whether by sight, voice, or gestures, you can open apps, resize items, navigate, and use a wide range of commands. Visualising your work becomes easier through transforming your 2D creation into a 3D hologram that will allow for a smarter prototype.

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