How to Select the Right Canted Coil Spring for Your Application

Learn how to select the right canted coil spring or slant coil springs for your application. This guide covers load requirements, materials, dimensions, environments, and common use cases to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

How to Select the Right Canted Coil Springs for Your Application

Medical canted coil springs-Handaspring

コイルスプリング are widely used in high-performance applications where consistent force, electrical conductivity, or long service life is required. However, selecting the right canted coil spring is not simply a matter of size—it requires a clear understanding of mechanical requirements, operating conditions, and application goals.

This guide walks you through the key factors to consider when choosing a canted coil spring, helping you optimize performance, reliability, and cost for your specific application.


What Is a Canted Coil Spring?

A canted coil spring is a type of precision spring made from coiled wire with each coil “canted” or angled relative to the spring axis. This unique geometry allows the spring to deliver:

  • Nearly constant force over a wide deflection range
  • Low friction and smooth compression
  • High cycle life compared to traditional springs

Canted coil springs are commonly used for electrical contacts, EMI/RFI shielding, sealing, latching, and mechanical retention.


Why Proper Selection Matters

Choosing the wrong canted coil spring can lead to:

  • Excessive wear or early fatigue failure
  • Insufficient contact force or retention force
  • Poor electrical performance or shielding effectiveness
  • Increased maintenance or system downtime

Correct spring selection ensures long-term reliability and consistent performance under real-world operating conditions.


Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Canted Coil Spring

Load and Force Requirements

Define the Required Force Range

The first step is to determine how much force the spring must deliver throughout its working deflection. Canted coil springs can be designed for:

  • Constant force
  • Increasing force
  • Application-specific load curves

Understanding both minimum and maximum force requirements is critical.

Static vs. Dynamic Loads

  • Static applications require stable force over time
  • Dynamic applications demand fatigue resistance and low hysteresis

Clearly defining the load type helps narrow down the optimal spring design.


Deflection and Travel Distance

Available Working Space

Measure the available space for compression, expansion, or radial deflection. Canted coil springs are especially valuable in applications with limited space but large deflection requirements.

Operating Deflection Range

Always design the spring to operate within its recommended deflection range to avoid permanent deformation or reduced service life.


素材の選択

Material choice directly affects performance, durability, and environmental resistance.

Common Materials for Canted Coil Springs

  • Stainless Steel (302, 304, 316) – corrosion resistance and general-purpose use
  • Beryllium Copper (BeCu) – excellent electrical conductivity and fatigue life
  • Inconel / Hastelloy – high-temperature and harsh environments
  • リン青銅 – balanced mechanical and electrical properties

Matching Material to Application

例えば、こうだ:

  • EMI shielding applications often require high conductivity materials
  • Aerospace or semiconductor equipment may need high-temperature alloys

Environmental Conditions

温度範囲

Consider both operating and peak temperatures. High temperatures can reduce spring force or accelerate material fatigue.

Corrosion and Chemical Exposure

If the spring will be exposed to moisture, chemicals, or salt spray, corrosion-resistant materials or coatings are essential.

Vibration and Shock

Applications involving vibration require springs with excellent fatigue resistance and stable force output.


Electrical and EMI Shielding Requirements

電気伝導率

For electrical contact or grounding applications, material conductivity and contact force must be carefully balanced to ensure low contact resistance.

EMI/RFI Shielding Performance

Canted coil springs are widely used in EMI shielding due to their ability to maintain continuous metal-to-metal contact.

Key considerations include:

  • Contact pressure consistency
  • Surface finish and plating
  • Compatibility with mating surfaces

Dimensional and Installation Considerations

Inner Diameter (ID) and Outer Diameter (OD)

Ensure proper fit within grooves, housings, or channels. Tolerances are critical to prevent over-compression or instability.

Mounting Configuration

Canted coil springs can be installed in:

  • Rectangular grooves
  • Dovetail grooves
  • Circular or custom channels

Proper groove design directly affects spring performance and longevity.


Cycle Life and Durability

Expected Number of Cycles

Some applications require millions of cycles with minimal force variation. High-cycle applications demand optimized wire geometry and fatigue-resistant materials.

Maintenance and Replacement Strategy

Long-life spring designs reduce downtime and total cost of ownership, especially in critical systems.


Typical Applications of Canted Coil Springs

Industrial and Mechanical Systems

  • Latching and locking mechanisms
  • Retention and holding devices

Electrical and Electronic Applications

  • Electrical contacts and connectors
  • EMI/RFI shielding springs

航空宇宙・防衛

  • High-reliability connectors
  • Extreme temperature and vibration environments

Medical and Semiconductor Equipment

  • Precision assemblies
  • Cleanroom-compatible designs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overlooking Environmental Factors

Ignoring temperature, corrosion, or vibration often leads to premature failure.

Selecting Based on Size Alone

Force characteristics and material properties are just as important as dimensions.

Operating Outside Recommended Deflection

Exceeding the spring’s design limits significantly shortens service life.


How to Finalize the Right Canted Coil Spring Selection

Work with Experienced Engineers

Custom or application-specific designs often deliver better performance than off-the-shelf options.

Prototype and Test

Testing under real operating conditions validates assumptions and prevents costly redesigns.

Document Requirements Clearly

Providing detailed specifications helps manufacturers recommend the most suitable spring solution.


結論

Selecting the right canted coil spring requires a comprehensive understanding of force requirements, deflection, materials, environment, and application goals. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can ensure optimal performance, long service life, and reliable operation in even the most demanding applications.

A properly selected canted coil spring is not just a component—it is a critical contributor to system reliability and efficiency.

For more detailed info.,please email to: sale01@handaspring.com