by Brandon Pascual Brandon Pascual 6 Comments

Exploring Specific Use Cases for Canted Coil Springs: FlexForce™ by Advanced EMC Technologies

Canted coil springs, particularly the FlexForce™ springs by Advanced EMC Technologies, represent a versatile and innovative solution across various industries. Originally designed as energizers for Teflon seals, these springs have evolved to meet a wide range of applications. Let’s dive into some specific use cases that demonstrate the unique capabilities and benefits of FlexForce™ canted coil springs.

1. Medical Devices

medical device springs, canted coil springs medical applications

Key Benefits:

  • Precise insertion and removal forces
  • Reliable electrical connectivity
  • Easy cleaning for ultra-clean environments

The medical field demands precision, reliability, and cleanliness in its components, and FlexForce™ springs are up to the task. These springs are commonly used in both implanted and non-implanted medical devices for connecting, latching, and holding components. The ability to specify insertion and removal forces makes them ideal for applications where secure and repeatable connections are critical. Additionally, their suitability for ultra-clean environments ensures they meet the stringent standards required for orthopedic and surgical devices.


Canted Coil Springs: Benefits for Medical Applications

2. Oil and Gas Industry

In the challenging conditions of oilfield applications, FlexForce™ springs provide robust solutions. These springs are designed to withstand the harsh pressures, temperatures, and chemical environments encountered in downhole tools used in fracking and other oil and gas operations. Their ability to maintain mechanical and electrical connections under extreme conditions makes them invaluable in this industry.

Key Benefits:

  • Resistance to pressure and temperature
  • Chemical compatibility with aggressive fluids
  • Reliable connections in downhole tools

3. Automotive Applications

Key Benefits:

  • Lightweight design
  • Multifunctional use (locking, holding, conducting)
  • Simplification of complex assemblies

The automotive industry, particularly in the realm of electric and hybrid vehicles, benefits from the lightweight and multifunctional design of FlexForce™ canted coil springs. These springs are used in various components to provide mechanical locking, holding, and electrical conductivity. By integrating these functions into a single component, engineers can reduce the weight and complexity of automotive assemblies, which is crucial for improving vehicle efficiency and performance.

4. Aerospace and Defense

Aerospace and defense applications require components that can perform reliably under extreme conditions, and FlexForce™ springs deliver just that. These springs are used for both mechanical connections and protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI/RFI). The ability to conduct electricity while also serving as a locking or connecting mechanism is particularly valuable in this sector, where reducing weight and ensuring reliability are top priorities.

Spring Energized Seals for Aerospace and Defense

Key Benefits:

  • EMI/RFI shielding capabilities
  • Dual functionality (mechanical and electrical)
  • Suitable for harsh environments


Canted Coil Springs for EFI/RFI Shielding Applications

5. Semiconductor and Electronics

Key Benefits:

  • High electrical conductivity
  • Multiple plating options (gold, silver, nickel)
  • Reliable contact points for electronic connections

In the semiconductor and electronics industries, FlexForce™ springs are utilized for their electrical conductivity and precise mechanical performance. These springs are available with gold, silver, and nickel plating, making them ideal for applications that require highly conductive materials and reliable connections. Their small coil size and independent coils provide the necessary contact points for critical electronic components.

Polymer Seals and Bearings for the Semiconductor Industry

Conclusion

The versatility of FlexForce™ canted coil springs by Advanced EMC Technologies makes them an excellent choice for a wide range of industries. From medical devices to automotive and aerospace applications, these springs offer a unique combination of mechanical and electrical capabilities that meet the demanding needs of modern engineering. Whether it’s providing reliable connections under extreme conditions or ensuring precise insertion and removal forces, FlexForce™ springs are engineered to deliver superior performance across the board.

For more information on how FlexForce™ canted coil springs can benefit your specific application, visit Advanced EMC Technologies or contact their team of experts.

by Denise Sullivan Denise Sullivan No Comments

How Canted Coil Springs Provide EMI/RFI Protection

Canted coil springs

The rise of technology has brought about a new era of innovation and efficiency in the modern world. With the advancement of electronic devices, there has been an exponential increase in the number and type of gadgets we use daily. Electronics have become integral to our lives, from smartphones to computers, cars to airplanes. However, with this increase in usage comes a corresponding increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). EMI/RFI can cause significant harm to sensitive electronics resulting in malfunctioning or failure. Canted coil springs can be a way to protect equipment from EMI/RFI interference.

Canted Coil Springs as EMI Shielding

Shielding sensitive electronics from EMI/RFI is thus an essential requirement for any electronic device manufacturer. Various shielding solutions, like metal shields or coatings, often suffer from weight, thermal management problems, and low flexibility.

This is where canted coil springs come into play. These springs provide superior EMI/RFI shielding while being lightweight and flexible. The unique design features independent coils that serve as multiple contact points for optimal conductivity and/or grounding, ensuring consistent, reliable connection with mating surfaces under shock and vibration.

The precisely engineered coil angles ensure that these springs provide maximum surface area contact, resulting in efficient current transfer and decreasing contact resistance between mating surfaces. This feature leads to less energy loss due to heat dissipation than traditional designs, translating into better performance over time.

Canted coil springs are made using various materials, including stainless steel alloys capable of handling high temperatures without losing shape over time, ensuring longevity even under harsh operating conditions.

Applications as EMI Shielding

These unique springs can be used for applications ranging from medical equipment to aerospace systems, where reliability is paramount. One such example is their use as connectors between motherboard components on computers, where they reduce the noise created by signal transference between components leading to improved overall system performance.

Canted coil springs can also be used as cable shielding, providing flexible, lightweight, and low-resistance solutions for high-speed data transmission cables. They are especially useful in applications where weight is critical, like aerospace or automotive.

Advantages of Canted Coil Springs

An advantage of these springs is their ability to absorb shock and vibration, reducing the risk of damage to electronics due to mechanical stress over time. This feature makes them ideal for use in rugged environments such as military applications, industrial machinery, or heavy-duty vehicles.

In addition, canted coil springs are easy to install and require no additional hardware making them a cost-effective solution for manufacturers. They can be easily integrated into existing designs without redesigning entire systems, thus reducing development costs while still providing superior performance.

Overall, canted coil springs offer an excellent solution for EMI/RFI shielding needs with their superior conductivity, flexibility, and shock absorption capabilities, all while being lightweight and easy to install. Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for almost any application where reliable electronic performance is essential.