Spring Design Tips and Tricks

Spring Design Classes Go Virtual

By Gary Van Buren

Spring Design Tips and Tricks

It’s November 2020, and as I sit here reviewing the curriculum for the upcoming SMI 201 Compression Spring training program, I started reflecting back to when this all started. For me, it was 25 years ago when my then boss, Russ Bryer, told me it would be OK to join the SMI technical committee. I truly do not remember if someone on the committee approached me or if I asked to join. I would almost bet it was when I attended my first SMI convention in Carlsbad, California.

I remember that being my first convention because my badge had a green dot on it, marking me as a firsttimer. All kinds of members came up and introduced themselves and welcomed me to the SMI family. As our company’s engineering manager, I am sure I must have sat at the technical committee’s table during the committee meetings. The next thing I knew, I was invited to join the committee.

I’m sure back then I was overwhelmed because many of the technical committee members were people that I considered to be the giants in our industry. They included people like Ed Lanke, Loren Godfrey, Chuck Pepka and Dan Sebastian. I remember not understanding everything they discussed because I had only been a part of the industry for a short time. It was great to be a part of this group, because over the years I could reach out to ask technical questions which helped me resolve some of my customers’ issues.

Now 25 years later, I am preparing to teach the 201 Compression Spring Design class for the fourth time. The first two classes were held in person with 15 to 20 students. The last two classes were conducted virtually using GoToMeeting. The first virtual class had 47 students.

The 201 class is designed for beginners, like the one I took in 1994 in Bristol, Connecticut. Back then it was a two-day class, and it covered compression, extension and torsion spring design theory. We were shown how to use the SMI spring design software, using disk operating system-based software that could only calculate three basic spring types.

Today’s ASD7 software is far more advanced compared to the early version of Spring Design 1.1. Instead of doing only three types of springs, the new software performs 47 spring variations; even I do not understand all of them. I am still learning, which means you can teach an old dog a new trick every once in a while!

When I get ready to teach the spring design classes, I review the presentation and adjust my notes, going over ideas on how to give our students a better experience.

The three current modules (201, 202 and 203) have been completed and, other than my presentation tweaks, will be presented again virtually several more times next year. The technical committee is working on the next round of classes which will be a little more advanced. We have surveyed students in our classes to find out what they would like us to prepare next. We have found an interest in “304 - Tolerancing and Testing," "301 - Springs - Fatigue," and "207 - Spring Material Manufacturing." The technical committee will keep SMI members informed as the more advanced classes are completed.

Keep in mind that all these classes are

I remember that being my first convention because my badge had a green dot on it, marking me as a firsttimer. All kinds of members came up and introduced themselves and welcomed me to the SMI family. As our company’s engineering manager, I am sure I must have sat at the technical committee’s table during the committee meetings. The next thing I knew, I was invited to join the committee.

being developed by a technical committee that volunteers their time. There are hundreds and hundreds of hours being spent by people who must squeeze this endeavor in between their real jobs. I’m so impressed with their expertise and dedication.

I finished this article the day after the Nov. 12 201 Compression Design class. I would like to say it went great, but one of my fears came to fruition. During the class, my local internet provider slowed to a snail’s pace for a while, and completely kicked me off once. Thanks to my friends, Rick (Flash) Gordon and Todd Piefer, we were able to keep moving while I reestablished the connection. Needless to say, I did stop and have a cold beer (per Todd’s suggestion) after the meeting ended. By the way, I slept great that night!

One last thought. We are always looking for new people to join the SMI technical committee. n