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Canted Coil Springs
Canted Coil Springs (also known as wire-wound springs or seal springs) are wire-formed springs with helical coils that are engineered to be tilted or “canted” relative to the central axis of the helical coils. Canted coil springs are not straight like traditional helical coil springs, but instead are formed and welded into a circular or ring configuration.
Canted coil springs are typically installed either around a shaft or in a circular cavity. In such installations, they are subjected to compressive forces that act on the outer surfaces of the tilted coils, around the perimeter of the circular spring. The angled coils enable the springs to withstand constant, steady compression forces with predictable, consistent displacement. These features make them excellent options for electrical and mechanical applications that require constant contact for mechanical sealing or the conduction of electrical current. They are also great for bearing assemblies or applications that require precision mechanical load control.
For example, canted coil springs are used in actuated sealing mechanisms that require precision load control and reliable electrical conductivity. Century Spring offers standard and customized canted coil springs in various sizes and materials, tailored to meet the performance requirements of your application.
Explore Our Canted Coil Spring Options
Century Spring is proud to offer standard-sized as well as fully customized canted coil springs with many configurable options. Standard canted coil spring options include stainless steel alloys in a range of Free Heights, Wire Diameters, and Major Diameters to fit any application.
In addition to these standard options, we can also manufacture canted coil springs with custom Spring Pitches and Coil Angles to fit high-performance applications.
While we offer numerous standard-length canted coil spring options, we can also produce custom canted coil springs that are precision-cut to length and laser-welded to your exact specifications.
Request a Custom Quotation to partner with us in developing a custom canted coil spring solution specifically tailored to your exact product and performance requirements.
Custom Canted Coil Springs
Century Spring offers custom canted coil spring options encompassing both standard and custom wire stock materials. Our design and manufacturing services involve partnering with you at all stages of development—from initial concept to procurement—to develop fully customized canted coil spring solutions engineered for your exact performance requirements in any application.
Our team of spring design experts consistently works to expedite the development of all wire form products, delivering springs that meet specific load-deflection profile specifications, as well as targeted operating conditions, including target lifecycle, electrical conductivity, temperature, and corrosion protection requirements.
Don’t waste another minute if you need a novel, high-performance metal spring solution - Request a Custom Quotation today!
Canted Coil Spring Manufacturing Capabilities
Century Spring combines state-of-the-art manufacturing tools with in-house design expertise to deliver custom solutions engineered to function reliably in high-wear assemblies where low-friction performance and long cycle lifetimes are driving requirements. Our cutting-edge equipment, including CNC spring coiling machinery, enables us to manufacture canted coil springs with precise geometric tolerances even for large outer diameters.
Typical customizable custom geometry includes the spring’s Free Height, Wire Diameter, and Major Diameter. In addition to these common customization options, we can also manufacture canted coil springs with custom Spring Pitches and Coil Angles as your application demands.
Canted coil spring custom Material options include stainless steel alloys, such as 316 and 17-7. Stainless steel and other typical steel alloy canted coil springs with standard wire diameter cross-sections have an expedited lead time of approximately 3 weeks. Copper-based alloys, including beryllium copper and phosphor bronze, are commonly specified for applications that require electrical conductivity. We also offer exotic, ultra-high-performance material options, including Inconel®, for applications that demand reliable performance in highly corrosive, high-temperature environments. Such materials are typically available with lead times of approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
We also offer a wide range of Secondary Process capabilities and options, including custom heat treatments, shot peening, and surface coatings, to provide enhanced environmental protection.
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Canted Coil Spring Information & Resources
Canted Coil Spring Applications
Canted coil springs are ideal for high-precision, space-constrained applications that require uniform reaction loads to tightly fitting mechanical equipment, as well as secure electrical connections. The angled coils enable canted coil springs to deliver a uniform force and reliable contact across the entire deflection profile of the spring, making them suited to compact assemblies that require consistent performance.
For example, canted coil springs integrated into medical diagnostic devices deliver smooth load-displacement control in sterile conditions. Canted coil springs found in energized seals within oil and gas drilling equipment deliver reliable sealing integrity under extreme pressures and temperatures.
Furthermore, canted coil springs are commonly used in advanced manufacturing and industrial applications, including heavy-duty precision equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing. In such applications, they provide reliable electrical conduction and electromagnetic shielding.
Century Spring excels at developing custom canted coil spring solutions tailored to meet the demands of such industries. Our springs are designed to deliver reliable performance even when exposed to high-temperature sterilization cycles, corrosive industrial fluids, and high-pressure systems. Our manufacturing and design experts ensure that your canted coil spring meets the rigorous quality control standards required by such applications.
For more information on industry-specific applications, navigate to our dedicated Industry Pages:
How to Design or Specify a Canted Coil Spring
Designing or specifying a canted coil spring for your application can begin once you have clearly defined your application’s general performance requirements, such as electrical conductivity, contact pressure, sealing dimensions, and fatigue resistance.
Such general design requirements will dictate feasible material options. For example, stainless steel is an economical option that offers general corrosion resistance. At the same time, high-performance alloys like Hastelloy® are preferred for extreme environments where high temperatures, reactive chemicals, or large cyclic loads are encountered.
With these in mind, you can then proceed to determine the working load-deflection profile you need. This key parameter will dictate the geometric properties of your canted coil spring, which you will need to evaluate against the spatial constraints of your application. These geometric properties include the spring’s Outer Diameter, Free Height, and Wire Diameter.
Next, once basic geometry and materials are determined, you can refine your design by examining the Coil Angle, Coil Pitch, and Contact Type of the canted coil spring to verify that the spring meets its functional role—whether for mechanical retention, electrical continuity, or fluid sealing.
Furthermore, operations such as sterilization cycles, large vibration frequencies, and heavy impacts must be considered to ensure consistent performance and reliability over the product’s operational lifetime. An optimized canted coil spring must balance mechanical and electrical performance with environmental resilience to provide reliable performance in safety-critical systems found in aerospace, medical, and oil/gas industrial equipment applications.
FAQs About Canted Coil Springs
What are canted coil springs, and how do they differ from traditional coil springs?
Canted coil springs are precision springs that feature angled (or “canted”) helical coils bent and attached into a circular shape. Unlike traditional helical coil springs that deform along the longitudinal axis of the spring, canted coil springs deform under loads that act along the outer radius of the cylindrical profile. Such geometry makes the spring well-suited for high-performance sealing and/or electrical shielding applications. In this manner, they function similarly to how a thrust bearing assembly might function.
How do canted coil springs enhance sealing and electrical connection performance?
Canted coil springs provide effective sealing and electrical connection due to their unique slanted coil configuration. This angled coil geometry ensures secure engagement and long-term durability under compression in compact assemblies, as the spring’s deformation profile remains constant across the full range of allowable compression loads. This provides a uniform and steady reaction force for sealing or electrical contact. This sealing and contact force is maintained under multiple axial directions and provides consistent performance even under vibration, fluid pressures, and thermal stresses.
Can canted coil springs operate reliably in high-temperature or corrosive environments?
Yes. Canted coil springs produce reliable performance in high-temperature and corrosive environments. Materials such as stainless steel offer robust corrosion resistance, while high-performance nickel-based alloys like Inconel® provide excellent strength and fatigue resistance at extremely high temperatures. Properly specified canted coil springs can operate reliably for long product lifetimes, even in demanding applications such as oil/gas equipment and aerospace assemblies.
What factors determine the load and deflection characteristics of a canted coil spring?
The coil size, wire diameter, coil pitch, and coil angle primarily determine the load and deflection characteristics of a canted coil spring. These factors determine the amount of force the spring delivers and the consistency of performance across its deflection range.
Are custom canted coil springs available for specialized or low-volume applications?
Yes, we offer canted coil springs fabricated with modern manufacturing equipment to fit tight dimensions and tolerances, with precision tolerances on both linear and angular dimensions. You can contact us anytime at 800-237-5225 or complete our Custom Quotation Form today.
Why Choose Century Spring
Our Commitment to Quality and Service
As the most trusted name in spring manufacturing, Century Spring is a quality-first, ISO 9001-certified supplier of stock and custom spring and wire-form products. With an established industry presence and a proven track record, our large-scale production facility enables us to maintain a large inventory of high-quality springs and wire form products.
We offer rapid delivery on over 40,000+ stock springs, available to ship today. Our products are always made in the USA.
Our dedicated custom spring development and customer support teams understand how to navigate critical design criteria, including size, material, surface finish, and end type, to find the optimal spring solution for your application.
Our experienced product engineers, knowledgeable product quality team, and skilled manufacturing personnel consistently deliver the highest quality products to you faster than our domestic and international competitors.
Innovation and Customization in Spring Manufacturing
Century Spring combines state-of-the-art manufacturing tools with in-house design expertise to custom high-performance spring solutions to the highest quality control standards. Our talented team is ready to collaborate directly with you to optimize custom spring design solutions to meet your application’s unique performance requirements.
Our cutting-edge computational equipment, simulation and testing techniques, including CNC compression self-monitoring and coiling machinery, enable us to deliver durable and reliable wire form products in a wide range of custom sizes and styles.
Our Custom Manufacturing Services include extensive design for manufacturability (DFM) expertise and comprehensive prototyping services capabilities, allowing for the quick refinement of design solutions, minimizing total project development time. Our dedicated, high-speed machines can quickly scale from concept production to large part volumes.
Get In Touch
Contact Information
Contact us directly today to get answers to all your questions and allow our experts to guide you through canted coil spring design options.
If you require immediate assistance, you can speak directly with our team on our dedicated customer service line at 800-237-5225.
Request a Quote and Consultation
You can Request a Custom Quotation to begin a partnership in the joint design and development of custom solutions tailored to your specific product and performance requirements.