Melling Performance Springs has the technology
Melling Performance Springs , Lytham St Annes , Lancashire adds specialist induction heat treatment equipment to aid technical advancements for the most demanding applications .
Melling Performance Springs has recently invested in specialist induction heat treatment equipment giving increased design and manufacturing capabilities for the most demanding compression spring applications .
Induction heat treatment is a highly efficient and precise method of hardening springs made from strategically selected materials . This technology is key for very demanding spring applications . The MPS machine operates with a 50 Kilowatt solid state insulated gate bi-polar transistorised power supply .
The induction heat treatment process improves the mechanical and physical properties of the spring material . During induction heat treatment , an alternating current is passed through a set of parallel copper coils , creating a rapidly alternating magnetic field . When a spring is placed within these induction coils , the magnetic field induces eddy currents within the spring material , generating heat due to resistance . This localised heating allows for precise control over the heating process , resulting in uniform and consistent heating . Once heated to an exact temperature , and held for a specific time , parts are then rapidly cooled using an exact concentration of a specialised polymer-based coolant at a controlled temperature . These quench parameters are critical to avoid steam pockets , material cracking and decarburisation . The machine is equipped with precise equipment to control the heating , holding time and quenching parameters that allows for a consistent and repeatable method of achieving specific metallurgical properties - giving improved and optimised performance .
Induction heat treatment offers several advantages over traditional heating methods , The rapid heating , and cooling cycles , allow for a highly efficient process that is more economical and environmentally friendly , resulting in reduced cycle times , lower energy consumption , and increased productivity , leading to overall cost savings . The rapid heating from the induction coils coupled with the machines electronic and mechanical control technology allows the springs to heat uniformly in a matter of seconds which dramatically reduces decarburisation levels , maintaining the materials surface quality and wear resistance . This eliminates the need for an atmospheric heat treatment process that would require open flames or hazardous chemicals and gasses .
Microstructure and compressive residual stress Induction heat treatment plays a pivotal role in tailoring the microstructure of materials , leading to enhanced mechanical properties and performance . During induction heat treatment , the raw material undergoes various phase transformations , such as austenitization , followed by precisely controlled quenching to achieve the desired microstructure . These changes in microstructure directly impact the mechanical properties of the material , including hardness , tensile strength , toughness , and wear resistance . The increased hardness coupled with optimised methods of shot peening , allows Melling Performance Springs to increase the levels of compressive residual stress induced into the material . These improved levels of compressive residual stress enhance the material and provides a beneficial counterbalance to the tensile residual stress , therefore exhibiting superior performance and reliability , enabling Melling Performance Springs to manufacture higher stressed parts that allow for reduced weight / active mass , improved natural frequency giving superior harmonics , improve fatigue performance , wear and relaxation resistance and reducing the chance of premature failure .
About Us Melling Performance Springs , is based in Lytham St Annes , Lancashire and manufactures , high performance , precision compression springs for its global customers . We aim to provide solutions to our customers problems . MPS holds IATF 16949:2016 , ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 accreditations . The company was originally founded in 1996 and purchased by Melling in 2020 . Our parent company , Melling Engine Parts is headquartered in Jackson , Michigan , USA .
Further information can be found at www . mellingperformancesprings . com or contact springsales @ melling . com
22 PECM Issue 67