Compression springs are incredibly versatile—they’re used in more products than you could imagine. Just look around the room and you’ll probably see half a dozen products that function properly thanks to the use of the compression spring, like pens, electronics, cell phones, appliances, vehicles, mattresses, and so on.

As a purchasing manager, it’s your job to know that these springs work by opposing the linear forces of applied weight through compression. But if you’re in the market for compression springs, you’re going to need to know more about them than the way they function in order to buy some that are right for your application.

Here are three things you didn’t know about compression springs that can help you make a proper purchasing decision.

Designing a Compression Spring Is Complex

There’s a lot to consider when designing a custom compression spring. It’s not a simple process. It requires exact measurements.

First, you’ll need to know where it’s going to be placed in your application—will it need to fit onto a shaft, go into a hole, or fit into a space with a specific width or depth? Where it’s placed is going to be important for the measurements of the inner diameter, outer diameter, and free length. The environment it will be placed in also matters—it will influence your choice of material and surface coating. Additionally, its purpose will also affect design, such as whether it’s going to have to sustain a certain stress or weight or push down on an object. You’ll also need to know how far it’ll need to travel in order to calculate the maximum spring compression.

Many, Many Options to Choose From

A compression spring’s shape can vary from cylindrical and hourglass to barrel and conical. The wire size can also differ greatly in diameter, as can the number of coils and the length of the body.

Plus, you can choose from open ends, closed ends, squared ends, and ground ends. If you don’t know the different end types or know why one shape is better for your application than another, purchasing the right compression springs is going to be tricky.

Not to mention you’ll need to pick the right material and surface coating for your application, too. Are you up to the task?

The Manufacturer You Choose Matters

As we’ve already detailed, there are serious and complex considerations involved in designing a compression spring. Plus, you can choose from a wide assortment of different variations—from size, thickness, end type, and material and coating options. Are you prepared to make these decisions?

If you’re not well versed in the design of compression springs, it can be overwhelming to ensure that you’re choosing all of the right options for your specific application. But when you work with a reputable, helpful manufacturer, you can get help every step of the way—that’s why your choice of manufacturers is the most important one you’ll make during your purchase of compression springs.

Choose the wrong supplier and you’ll be left to your own devices to figure it all out. Choose a manufacturer that excels in customer service, on the other hand, and you’ll be relieved to have the help you need to make the right decisions. Plus, with a reputable manufacturer, you can rest easy knowing that high quality materials will be used, the staff you work with will be experienced and skilled, and the equipment and technology used in the process will be top notch, all of which matter to the ultimate quality of your compression springs.