Micro Springs:  Garter

Garter springs are closed coil springs used in the form of a ring. The ends of the spring are connected together. This circular form allows these helical springs to exert radial forces. The assembled springs can work similar to helical extension springs or compression springs. The connection of the ends to form the spring ring is done in several ways. For our miniature garter springs (pictured above) we will laser weld the ends together. For more conventional sizes they are connected by:

• by interlocking loops on each end of the spring
• by connecting the ends with a separate short section called a connector
• by reducing the diameter on one end of the spring and screwing it into the other (see diagram below)