How Do Custom and Stock Springs Differ, and Which Should You Choose?

From the pen you use to jot down notes to the suspension system in your car, springs are integral to the functionality and performance of many devices and systems. Choosing the right type of spring—custom or stock—is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, longevity, and safety in your specific application.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the world of springs, exploring the differences between custom and stock springs. We'll help you understand the advantages and limitations of each option, guiding you toward the best choice for your needs. We'll also introduce you to Acxess Spring's innovative tools like the Instant Spring Quote, and Spring Finder 5.0, which can significantly aid in your decision-making processes.

Understanding Custom Springs

What is a Custom Spring?

Custom springsare specially designed and manufactured to meet the exact specifications of a particular application. Unlike stock springs, custom springs offer complete flexibility in terms of dimensions, force ratings, and finishes. They are engineered from the ground up based on the unique requirements you provide, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance in your specific use case.

Advantages of Custom Springs

Exact Fit

Custom springsare designed to seamlessly integrate into your application. This ensures not only a perfect physical fit but also alignment with performance requirements such as load capacity, deflection rates, and durability.

Optimized Performance

By customizing every aspect of the spring, you can achieve optimal performance. This includes fine-tuning the spring rate, load capacities, and deflection characteristics to meet exact operational requirements, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of your application.

Flexibility in Design

Custom springs can incorporate unique design elements that are impossible with stock springs. Whether you need special end configurations or wind direction, custom springs offer the flexibility to include these features.

Situations Where Custom Springs Are Necessary

Unique Applications

In specialized industries like aerospace, medical devices, or advanced manufacturing, applications often have requirements that standard springs cannot meet. Custom springs become essential to achieve the desired functionality and safety standards.

Performance Optimization

For applications where precise force and travel characteristics are critical, custom springs enable you to specify exact parameters. This is crucial in systems where even slight deviations can lead to significant performance issues or safety hazards.

Innovation and New Products

When developing new products or technologies, existing components may not meet the novel requirements. Custom springs allow designers and engineers to push the boundaries of what's possible, facilitating innovation and advancement.

How to Use Instant Spring Quote for Custom Springs?

Ordering custom springs used to be a time-consuming process involving multiple consultations and long lead times. Acxess Spring's Instant Spring Quote tool revolutionizes this process by providing immediate pricing and simplified ordering.

How It Works:

1. Input Specifications: Enter detailed parameters such as wire diameter, outer diameter, free length, number of coils, and material type into the online form.

2. Real-Time Pricing: The tool calculates an instant quote based on your specifications and desired quantity.

3. Place Order: Once satisfied, you can proceed to place your order directly through the platform.

Benefits:

• Speed: Obtain pricing and place orders much faster than traditional methods.

• Transparency: Immediate visibility into costs helps with budgeting and decision-making.

• Convenience: Streamlines the procurement process, reducing administrative overhead.

• Customization: Allows for intricate customization without the hassle of prolonged negotiations or communications.

By utilizing the Instant Spring Quote tool, you can efficiently move from design to production, ensuring your custom springs are manufactured to your exact specifications in a timely manner.

Understanding Stock Springs

What Are Stock Springs?

Stock springsare pre-manufactured springs that are readily available in standard sizes, materials, and force ratings. They are produced in large quantities and kept in inventory by manufacturers and distributors. These springs are designed to meet common specifications and are suitable for a wide range of general applications. Because they are mass-produced, stock springs are often more cost-effective and can be shipped immediately, reducing lead times significantly.

Advantages of Using Stock Springs

Immediate Availability

One of the most significant benefits of stock springs is their immediate availability. Since they are pre-manufactured and kept in inventory, you can often receive them within days of placing an order. This is particularly advantageous for projects with tight deadlines or unexpected needs that require quick solutions.

Cost-Effective

Mass production leads to economies of scale, which significantly reduces the cost per unit. For applications where standard specifications suffice, stock springs offer a budget-friendly option without compromising on basic quality and performance.

Standardization

Stock springs are manufacturedfollowing standardized processes and quality control measures. This consistency ensures that each spring meets specific performance criteria, providing reliability across different batches and orders.

Ease of Selection

With tools like Acxess Spring's Spring Finder 5.0, finding the right stock spring has never been easier. You can filter through thousands of options based on your specific requirements, simplifying the selection process and saving valuable time.

Limitations of Stock Springs

Limited Customization

Stock springsare designed to meet a vast array of measurements. If your application requires unique dimensions, materials, or force characteristics, stock springs may not be suitable.

May Not Fit Specific Needs

In specialized applications, using a stock spring could lead to suboptimal performance or even failure. The lack of precise alignment with your application's requirements might necessitate design compromises, which can affect the overall functionality and longevity of your system.

How to Use Spring Finder 5.0 in The Spring Store for Stock Springs?

To address some of the challenges in selecting the right stock spring, Acxess Spring offers the Spring Finder 5.0 tool available in The Spring Store. This advanced search engine allows you to sift through an extensive inventory of stock springs by inputting your specific requirements.

Features of Spring Finder 5.0:

• Parametric Search: Search springs based on dimensions like outer diameter, wire diameter, and free length.

• Force and Load Criteria: Filter for springs that meet specific force requirements at certain deflections.

• Material Selection: Choose from various standard materials to match your application's environmental conditions.

• Real-Time Availability: Check lead times instantly.

Benefits:

• Efficiency: Quickly narrow down options to find the most suitable springs.

• Accuracy: Ensure that the selected springs meet your precise specifications.

• Convenience: Access detailed specifications and 3D blueprints directly from the tool.

By leveraging the Spring Finder 5.0, you can mitigate some of the limitations associated with stock springs, making it easier to find a product that closely aligns with your needs.

Comparing Custom and Stock Springs

Understanding the differences between custom and stock springs is essential for making an informed decision. Each option has its advantages and limitations, and the best choice depends on various factors related to your specific application.

Cost Considerations

Custom Springs

• Higher Unit Cost: Customization and specialized manufacturing processes increase the cost per unit.

• Tooling and Setup Costs: Additional expenses may be incurred for creating custom tooling or jigs for specialty springs.

• Cost-Effective for Large Quantities: For bulk orders, the per-unit cost may decrease, making custom springs more economical at scale.

Stock Springs

• Lower Unit Cost: Mass production reduces the cost per unit, making stock springs more affordable in high quantity.

• No Tooling Costs: Since the springs are pre-made, there are no additional costs for tooling or setup.

• Economical for Small Quantities: Ideal for projects that require a small number of springs without incurring high costs.

Lead Times

Custom Springs

• Longer Production Times: Design, tooling, and manufacturing processes extend lead times.

• Variable Delivery Dates: Production schedules may vary based on complexity and order size.

Stock Springs

• Immediate Availability: Can often be shipped within days, reducing project timelines.

• Predictable Delivery: Standard shipping times make planning easier.

Specificity and Customization

Custom Springs

• Complete Flexibility: Tailored to meet every aspect of your specification.

• Optimal Integration: Ensures perfect fit and performance within your application.

Stock Springs

• Over 40,000 Stock Spring Options: A lot of standard sizes and different force ratings.

Potential Compromises: May require adjustments in your application to accommodate the spring.

What Option Best Suits Your Needs?

Choosing between custom springs and stock springs depends on a careful evaluation of your project's specific requirements, constraints, and priorities. You can sometimes design around a stock spring and have great results. 

Factors to Consider

Application Requirements

• Precision Needs: Does your application require exact tolerance specifications that stock springs cannot provide?

• Performance Criteria: Is precise load, deflection, or torque critical to your application?

Budget Constraints

• Cost Limitations: What is your budget for springs? Are you looking for the most cost-effective option?

• Value Over Time: Consider the long-term costs associated with performance and maintenance.

Timeframe

• Urgency: Do you need springs immediately, or can you accommodate longer lead times for custom springs?

• Project Schedule: How does the spring procurement timeline fit into your overall project plan?

Volume Requirements

• Quantity Needed: Are you ordering a small batch or in bulk? Bulk orders may affect cost-effectiveness of custom springs.

Decision-Making Guide

Choose Custom Springs If:

• Specificity Is Essential: The application demands exact dimensions, materials, or performance traits.

• Performance Optimization Is Critical: Precise load, travel, or torque is necessary for functionality.

• Environmental Conditions Are Challenging: The application involves harsh or unique environments requiring special materials or coatings.

• Innovation Is Involved: You're developing new products or technologies that standard springs cannot support.

Choose Stock Springs If:

• Your Requirements Are Standard: The application can be satisfied with standard sizes and specifications.

• Immediate Availability Is Crucial: You need springs quickly to meet tight deadlines.

• Cost Is a Primary Concern: You are operating under a strict budget and need the most economical option.

Simplicity Suffices: The application does not require specialized materials or precise performance characteristics.

Quality Assurance Processes

At Acxess Spring, both stock and custom springs undergo rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Every spring is subjected to comprehensive testing and inspection, including material verification, dimensional checks, and load testing, to confirm that it conforms to exact specifications and functions optimally under real-world conditions. By adhering to strict quality management systems and industry certifications, Acxess Spring guarantees that each product delivers consistent quality, longevity, and safety.

This commitment to excellence means you can trust that every spring from Acxess Spring—whether stock or custom-designed—will contribute to the success of your application. Their meticulous quality assurance not only upholds the company's reputation but also provides you with peace of mind, knowing that the components you rely on are manufactured with precision and care.

Making the Final Decision

• Assess Your Priorities: Determine what factors—cost, time, performance, customization—are most important for your project.

• Consult with Experts: Reach out to spring manufacturers like Acxess Spring for professional advice.

• Utilize Available Tools: Use the Online Spring Force Tester, Spring Finder 5.0, and Instant Spring Quote to gather data and insights.

By thoroughly evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your project's goals and constraints.

Practical Example Using the Online Spring Force Tester

To further assure quality and performance, Acxess Spring offers the Online Spring Force Tester. This tool allows you to simulate how a spring will perform under various loads and deflections. By using this tool, you can verify whether a stock or custom spring will meet your application's requirements before making a purchase.

How to Test Springs Using the Online Spring Force Tester?

1. Access the Tool: Whether on Instant Spring Quote or in The Spring Store, you can navigate to the Online Spring Force Tester through the Product Page.

2. Input Parameters: Enter the spring's dimensions, material type, and other relevant specifications.

3. Simulate Loads: Apply different loads or deflections to see how the spring responds.

Analyze Results: Review the calculated data to ensure the spring performs as needed for your application.

Example: Testing a Compression Spring for a Mechanical Pen

Stock Spring

Scenario: You need a compression spring for a retractable pen mechanism that requires a force of 2.5 lbf. to operate smoothly, traveling to a distance of 0.5 inches.

Specifications:

• Outer Diameter (OD): 0.20 inches.

• Wire Diameter (WD): 0.020 inches.

• Free Length (FL): 0.750 inches.

• Required Load: 2.5 lbf

• Required Distance Traveled: 0.5 inches

• Material: Music Wire

We’ll start by searching for a stock spring in Spring Finder 5.0.

1. Input Specifications: Select Stock Compression Spring and enter the dimension into the form:

   • OD: 0.20 inches.

   • WD: 0.020 inches

   • FL: 0.750 inches.

   • Material: Music Wire

2. Specify Performance Requirements: By clicking on Search More Fields you can add the performance requirements, like Load and Travel, to our search. In this case, we’ll go a little further than the required specifications to give Spring Finder 5.0 more range of options.   

3. Filter the Results: You can filter by any spring specification like max load, spring rate, material type, and even max deflection. This will help you narrow your search if you're faced with thousands of potential options.

4. Select your Spring: Now you can compare and choose from the available options. In this case, we’ll choose Acxess Spring Part Number PC018-188-10500-MW-0750-C-N-IN, given that it’s Free Length is 0.750 inches the exact length we need and can travel the required distance.

5. Test the Spring: Navigate to Online Spring Force Tester to simulate the load required for a deflection of 0.500 inches:

   • Load = Spring Rate × Deflection 

According to part number PC018-188-10500-MW-0750-C-N-IN specs and 3D blueprint, its Spring Rate is 3.61133 lbs/in, which converts the formula to:  

• Load = 3.61133 lbs/in × 0.500 inches = 1.805665 lbs

• Load = 1.805665 lbs

6. Analyze Results:

   • The simulation shows that approximately 1.805665 pounds of force are needed to compress the spring by 0.5 inches.

   • This load doesn’t meet the requirements of the pen mechanism.

Outcome:

• Insufficient Force at Required Deflection: If you use a spring that deflects 0.5 inches with a force of 1.8 lbf instead of the required 2.5 lbf, the spring will be less stiff than needed Any mechanism relying on that specific force to function properly may not operate as intended. 

• System Performance Degradation: Components may not engage correctly, leading to decreased performance or malfunction. 

• Potential for Mechanical Failure: Over time, the mismatch can cause undue stress on other parts of the system, possibly leading to wear, fatigue, or failure.

Benefits:

• Cost Savings: Using a stock spring eliminates the need for custom manufacturing.

Time Efficiency: Immediate availability speeds up the project timeline.

Custom Spring

Now, we’ll design the same spring using Instant Spring Quote

1. Input Specifications: Enter the custom parameters into the tester:

   • Outer Diameter (OD): 0.20 inches.

   • Wire Diameter (WD): 0.020 inches.

   • Free Length (FL): 0.750 inches.

   • Required Load: 2.5 lbf

   • Required Distance Traveled: 0.5 inches

   • Material: Music Wire

2. Results: Instant Spring Quote designs part number AC020-200-10000-MW-0750-C-N-IN with the exact dimensions needed in the specifications.

3. Test the Spring: Navigate to Online Spring Force Tester to simulate the load required for a deflection of 0.500 inches:

   • Load = Spring Rate × Deflection 

According to the custom design part number AC020-200-10000-MW-0750-C-N-IN  specs and 3D blueprint, its Spring Rate is 4.92669 lbs/in, which converts the formula to: 

• Load = 4.92669 lbs/in × 0.500 inches = 2.463345 lbs

• Load = 2.463345 lbs

4. Analyze Results:

   • The simulation shows that approximately 2.463345 pounds of force are needed to compress the spring by 0.500 inches.

   • This load is closer to the required for the pen mechanism.

Outcome:

• Minor Reduction in Force: The spring will exert approximately 1.466% less force at the 0.5-inch deflection than the required load specification of 2.5 lbf.

• Potentially Negligible Impact: In many applications, a difference of about 1.5% is within acceptable tolerances and may not significantly affect system performance.

• System Sensitivity Matters: If your system is highly sensitive to force variations—for example, in precision instruments or safety-critical components—even this small difference could be important.

• Cumulative Effects: If multiple springs or components with small deviations are used together, the effects can add up, potentially leading to noticeable performance issues.

Benefits:

• Economies of Scale: If the 2.463345 lbf spring is more commonly produced than the exact 2.5 lbf spring, it might be less expensive due to mass production efficiencies.

• Reduced Wear and Tear: A slightly lower force exerts less stress on adjacent components, which can prolong their lifespan and reduce maintenance needs.

• Reduced Risk of Overloading: A spring exerting slightly less force can minimize the risk of damage or failure in sensitive components during unexpected loads.

User-Friendly Design: In manual operations, a lower force can make the system easier and safer to operate, reducing the potential for user error or injury.

Pros and Cons Comparison

Aspect Stock Spring PC018-188-10500-MW-0750-C-N-IN Custom Spring AC020-200-10000-MW-0750-C-N-IN  Stiffness Difference -28% -1.466% System Performance Significantly degraded Likely unaffected or minimally impacted Cost Possibly cheaper due to less material Potential minor savings Safety Potential safety risks due to insufficient force Generally safe, within tolerance Ease of Use Easier manual compression, if applicable Similar to required spring Applicability Likely unsuitable without system redesign Suitable for most applications with standard tolerances Availability Possibly more common but not suitable for requirements Readily available, especially if common specification

Recommendations

• Choose Custom Spring part number AC020-200-10000-MW-0750-C-N-IN if:

  • Your system tolerances allow for a slight deviation.

  • You desire minimal impact on system performance.

  • Yu want to avoid the costs and risks associated with significant design changes.

• Avoid Stock Spring part number PC018-188-10500-MW-0750-C-N-IN unless:

  • Your application can function correctly with a substantially lower force.

  • You're prepared to redesign system components to accommodate the reduced stiffness.

  • The benefits (e.g., cost savings) outweigh the risks and potential performance issues.

In Summary

• Custom Spring Part Number AC020-200-10000-MW-0750-C-N-IN is a close match to your required specification, with only a 1.466% reduction in stiffness. It is likely to perform adequately in your system with minimal impact, making it a suitable spring.

• Stock Spring Part Number PC018-188-10500-MW-0750-C-N-INhas a significant 28% reduction in stiffness compared to the required spring. This substantial difference is likely to adversely affect system performance, making it an unsuitable spring without considerable modifications.

Carefully evaluate the specific requirements and tolerances of your application to make an informed decision. If in doubt, opt for the spring that more closely matches your original specifications to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Find the Right Spring: Partner with Acxess Spring for Custom and Stock Solutions

Selecting the right spring is a critical step in ensuring the success of your application. Both custom springs and stock springs have their place, and the best choice depends on your specific needs, priorities, and constraints.

At Acxess Spring, we are committed to delivering high-quality springs, whether stock or custom, backed by rigorous quality assurance processes. Our advanced tools—Online Spring Force Tester, Spring Finder 5.0, and Instant Spring Quote—empower you to make informed decisions, streamline the procurement process, and ensure that the springs you choose meet your exact requirements.

By understanding the differences between custom and stock springs and utilizing these innovative tools, you can confidently select the best option for your application, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and success.

Ready to find the perfect spring for your project? Visit Acxess Spring today to explore our extensive range of products and services. Whether you need a standard stock solution or a fully customized spring, our team of experts is here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us to discuss your specific needs and take the first step toward optimizing your application's performance.