Applications
Where this spring style fits
Review best-fit uses, assembly constraints and situations where another spring style may be a better choice.
View application guidance →Wire Forms
Custom-Shaped Springs
A made-to-drawing spring form for mechanisms that need elastic behavior but cannot be served by a standard compression, extension or torsion geometry.
- Typical configurations
- 17
- Wire diameter
- 0.3–4 mm
- Outside diameter
- 7.98–64.18 mm
- Free length
- 56.36–188.23 mm
About Custom-Shaped Springs
Custom-shaped springs combine formed wire geometry with a defined spring function. The active section may bend, twist or flex while other sections locate the part in the assembly. Because the load path is unique to the design, the part is best specified by working positions and forces rather than by copied dimensions alone.
Key Design Characteristics
- The active flexing region should be identified separately from locating or attachment features.
- Sharp bends near the high-deflection zone can concentrate stress and reduce life.
- The free shape and installed shape may look very different, so both conditions are useful for review.
- Contact with neighboring parts can change the load path if the spring rubs or bottoms during travel.
What to Specify for a Custom Quote
- Wire size, material and complete free-state geometry
- Installed shape or assembly drawing
- Required force or torque at defined positions
- Maximum travel and cycle-life expectation
- Critical tolerances, surface finish, quantity and inspection needs
Manufacturing Review
Prototype checking should include the actual functional movement whenever possible. A part can match its free-state dimensions and still miss the intended force if the load path or contact point is different from the assembly.
Common Assembly Roles
- Unusual return mechanisms
- Integrated spring-and-retainer shapes
- Legacy parts reproduced from a sample or assembly drawing
Product Data
Typical Spring Configurations
Use these data points to compare practical starting dimensions and material options. Final production specifications are confirmed against your drawing and working conditions.
| Model | Wire dia. | OD | ID | Free length | Rate | Material | Coils | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW-300-0229-0840-0800 | 3 mm | 22.9 mm | 16.9 mm | 83.98 mm | 13.639 | 304 Stainless Steel | 6.5 | 248.63 |
| SW-150-0317-1882-0748 | 1.5 mm | 31.72 mm | 28.72 mm | 188.23 mm | 0.229 | 301 Stainless Steel | 6.9 | 10.59 |
| SW-100-0124-0818-0732 | 1 mm | 12.4 mm | 10.4 mm | 81.85 mm | 0.675 | Beryllium Copper (QBe2) | 6 | 15.02 |
| SW-150-0136-1324-0744 | 1.5 mm | 13.55 mm | 10.55 mm | 132.42 mm | 5.515 | Music Wire (SWP-B) | 5.2 | 212.95 |
| SW-150-0213-1528-0765 | 1.5 mm | 21.3 mm | 18.3 mm | 152.8 mm | 0.575 | Beryllium Copper (QBe2) | 6.8 | 16.76 |
| SW-150-0158-0828-0737 | 1.5 mm | 15.82 mm | 12.82 mm | 82.8 mm | 6.196 | 316 Stainless Steel | 2.4 | 127.44 |
| SW-150-0214-0868-0779 | 1.5 mm | 21.38 mm | 18.38 mm | 86.76 mm | 0.645 | Carbon Spring Steel Wire (SWC) | 9.8 | 16.43 |
| SW-400-0541-0564-0752 | 4 mm | 54.09 mm | 46.09 mm | 56.36 mm | 3.725 | 65Mn Spring Steel | 5.4 | 32.45 |
| SW-400-0642-1149-0797 | 4 mm | 64.18 mm | 56.18 mm | 114.91 mm | 0.782 | Phosphor Bronze (QSn4-0.3) | 7.7 | 20.62 |
| SW-200-0204-0914-0725 | 2 mm | 20.37 mm | 16.37 mm | 91.35 mm | 4.32 | 60Si2MnA Spring Steel | 5.9 | 80.7 |
| SW-200-0447-1477-0778 | 2 mm | 44.66 mm | 40.66 mm | 147.72 mm | 0.21 | Inconel X-750 | 9.7 | 8.12 |
| SW-050-0091-1468-0722 | 0.5 mm | 9.07 mm | 8.07 mm | 146.85 mm | 0.143 | 316 Stainless Steel | 6 | 4.43 |
| SW-150-0320-0862-0759 | 1.5 mm | 32.04 mm | 29.04 mm | 86.19 mm | 0.358 | Oil-Tempered Spring Wire (SWO) | 4.9 | 4.99 |
| SW-080-0173-1254-0787 | 0.8 mm | 17.29 mm | 15.69 mm | 125.42 mm | 0.138 | Carbon Spring Steel Wire (SWC) | 6.5 | 3.75 |
| SW-200-0347-1717-0755 | 2 mm | 34.69 mm | 30.69 mm | 171.7 mm | 0.87 | Oil-Tempered Spring Wire (SWO) | 5.2 | 21.99 |
| SW-100-0133-0972-0771 | 1 mm | 13.33 mm | 11.33 mm | 97.2 mm | 2.195 | Inconel X-750 | 2.4 | 32.44 |
| SW-030-0080-1227-0741 | 0.3 mm | 7.98 mm | 7.38 mm | 122.66 mm | 0.016 | 301 Stainless Steel | 9.9 | 0.31 |
Rate: N/mm; maximum load: N. Dimensions are in millimeters.
Next Design Decisions
Next Steps for Your Spring Design
Once the spring style is selected, confirm how it works in the assembly, which material suits the environment, how it will be manufactured and which dimensions and performance points should be controlled on the drawing.
Materials
Choose the material for the environment
Material is chosen around both forming difficulty and elastic performance. A wire that is very strong but difficult to form may not be the best choice for a shape with tight multi-plane bends.
Compare spring materials →Manufacturing
Plan prototype and production
Review forming, heat treatment, secondary operations, inspection and the path from first samples to repeat production.
View manufacturing capabilities →Engineering Data
Open matching engineering guides
Matching material and wire-diameter pages provide additional design data for material and size selection.
Open Spring Engineering Guide →Material Direction
Common Material Families to Review
The links below are selection guides, not a claim that every grade is suitable for every size or load.
Engineering Support
Spring Engineering Guides
Use these guides to compare material, wire diameter and standard requirements before finalizing the product drawing.
Material data
301 Stainless Steel Wire Forms Engineering Data
2 matching custom-shaped springs data rows are included in the category.
Wire diameter
2 mm Wire Forms Engineering Data
3 matching custom-shaped springs data rows are included in the category.
Wire diameter
4 mm Wire Forms Engineering Data
2 matching custom-shaped springs data rows are included in the category.
Compare Designs
Related Spring Products
Use these alternatives when the available space, connection style, travel or force direction changes.
Wire Forms
Wire-Formed Components
Custom 2D and 3D wire parts formed to a drawing when the component needs to locate, retain, connect, guide or support another part rather than behave like a conventional coil spring.
Wire Forms
Wire Clips, Hooks & Rings
Made-to-drawing wire clips, hooks and rings used to retain, hang, connect or locate parts where a standard spring geometry is not required.
Flat Springs & Stampings
Cantilever & Formed Flat Springs
Flat-strip spring elements that flex from a fixed region to provide contact force, retention or return in thin assemblies where round-wire coils would take too much space.
Product Questions
Custom-Shaped Springs FAQ
Can a sample be used if no drawing exists?
Yes for initial review, but critical dimensions and functional positions should be documented before production so the replacement is controlled rather than copied only by appearance.
How do you specify the load for an irregular spring shape?
Define the points where the part is held and loaded, then state the required force or torque at one or more positions in that motion.
RFQ
Send the Working Requirement
A drawing is ideal. If you do not have one yet, provide the dimensions, load or torque, travel, environment and expected quantity that matter in the assembly.
CustomSprings Engineering Catalog
Request This Spring
Send your dimensions, quantity and drawing for engineering review.