- Written by
dan
- Posted January 19, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Spring plungers are often used in place of bare spring, providing the same function but easier installation and more reliable operation. They are available in materials from corrosion resistant stainless steel to strong and elastic manmade materials. Proper installation requires the right tool and an appreciation that their hollow bodies can tolerate less torque than bolts or screws.
Some spring loaded devices have a locking element, typically made of nylon, to hold the plunger body in place. This regulates the position and therefore the force of the spring. The end force in spring plungers is more precise than that of bare springs. Using them in industrial products allows more efficient operation and greater safety because the spring force is predictable.
Although spring plungers can be installed with screwdrivers or hex key wrenches, most experts recommend using dedicated spring plunger wrenches particularly if inexperienced with spring plungers. Using the wrong tool runs the risk of over-compressing the spring and damaging it. As any technician knows, you should always use the right tool for the job.
The biggest danger when installing spring plungers is using too much torque. Although they resemble bolts or screws, their bodies are hollow and they can tolerate only a fraction of the force a solid body can. Technicians who exert as much force on plungers as they do on screws end up with a lot of broken plungers. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer for maximum installation torque.