Springs, Fall 2024, Volume 63, No. 4 by Spring Manufacturers Institute

Education plays a vital role in the growth and development of the spring industry. SMI is proud to host two mornings of business and technical content during SpringWorld 2024, including a keynote economic presentation Oct. 3 and 18 individual breakout sessions Oct. 3-4.

2024 SMI Educational Symposium Sponsors

We greatly appreciate the generosity of all our sponsors, including ISW, the Visionary Sponsor for SpringWorld 2024.

The partnership between SMI and CASMI brings together the spring industry under one roof for a dynamic all-in-one expo and symposium. Pre-registration for the symposium and exhibit hall is free when you register before Sept. 18. After that and in person, the fee is $50.

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Aware

Your Hoist, Chains and Slings OSHA Compliant?

Dean of Springs What SMI Can Do for You

Technically Speaking Designing Extension Springs Using SMI’s ASD Software 55 A Message from Gary Slow Down to Become More Productive 61 Podcast Picks Embracing Failure: How to Make Mistakes That Work 63

Corner The Tipping Point

Departments

Getting Down to the Business of Social Media

Questions Joe Owoc, Global Specialty Wire

Spotlight Annual Market Summary Helps Benchmark Industry Profitability John Mackay 50 Women in Springs Monica Shaffer, Novi Spring Sara Scullin

Inside SMI

Advertisers’ Index

Natalie Goering, Precision Coil Spring

Join Us October 3rd 5pm at booth #1205

VISIT US & SEE THESE CUTTING EDGE MACHINES ON DISPLAY:

BM 36 High Speed: CNC Coiling and Bending Machine

• Assisted machine setup

• Servo driven displacement of infeed unit for highest bending flexibility

BQ 10: Modular CNC Transfer Bending Machine

• Transfer machine for bending, forming, flattening, thread rolling, & die cutting

• Modular structure for individual production solutions

Time Saving Technology:

plug&straight: utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence for setting of wire straighteners

FMU 16+ CNC Spring & Wire Forming System w/Linear Unitt

• “Bend after cut” feature eliminates need for secondary operations

• Second station for increased production/output

F 18: CNC Spring Coiling Machine inline with the Böhm FSA 2 Grinding Machine

• Increased feed speed

• Payoff SPH 500

• Direct transfer of springs from coiler to grinder

• High Efficiency: CBN wheels provide faster material removal rates compared to traditional abrasives

President’s Message

SpringWorld: Partnering for Progress

Can you feel the excitement in the air? For some, it’s the return of football to our weekends. For others, it’s pumpkin-spiced everything on menus. For springmakers, it’s SpringWorld!

And 2024 is shaping up to be the most exhilarating SpringWorld yet.

SMI and CASMI have joined forces for the first time ever to bring us an unforgettable trade show experience. This is such an exciting time for our industry, and as someone who has always enjoyed visiting SpringWorld, I can attest to its lasting impact.

I have fond memories of attending SpringWorld with my dad during my school years. We would explore the latest and greatest equipment on the market, meet with suppliers and forge personal relationships that have stayed with me throughout my career. These face-toface interactions have always been the heartbeat of our industry. SpringWorld is not merely a platform for showcasing the latest innovations and trends but a unique opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships that can drive personal and professional success.

Adding to the excitement this year is our SMI-powered symposium, which promises to be a highlight of the trade show. The symposium will feature an impressive lineup of industry speakers sharing their insights, experiences and visions for the future. These thought leaders will cover a range of topics, from technological advancements and market trends to best practices and strategic planning. The symposium is not just about listening — it’s about engaging, questioning and connecting with the speakers and fellow attendees, creating a dynamic environment where knowledge and relationships flourish.

As esteemed author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t build a business. You build people, and people build the business.” SpringWorld 2024 is your chance to invest in the relationships that are the cornerstone of our industry’s success. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and grow together.

Don Jacobson III Newcomb Spring Corp. D3@newcombspring.com

Spring Manufacturers Institute

PO Box 5668

Elgin IL 60121

Main phone z 847-450-6848

Gary McCoy z 847-450-6240

Gaby Carrasco z 847-857-6432

SMI Executive Committee

President: Don Jacobson III, Newcomb Spring

Vice President: David DeVoe, Plymouth Spring

Secretary/Treasurer: Dave Deerwester, The Yost Superior Co.

Past President: Gene Huber Jr., Winamac Coil Spring

At-Large: Joe Devany, Betts Company

Executive Director: Gary McCoy, SMI

SMI Board of Directors

Markus Arnold, WAFIOS I Jodi Boldenow, IDC Spring I Linda Froehlich, Ace Wire Spring & Form I Adam Jacobson, FENN/Torin I Don Lyons, JonSpring I Alex Melnikow, Midstate Spring I Tony Pesaresi, Winamac Coil Spring I Keith Porter Jr., Newcomb Spring I Monica Shafer, Novi Spring I Bernie Taylor, Hoosier Spring I Tim Zwit, Motion Dynamics Corporation

Springs Magazine Staff

Gary McCoy, Executive Director/Publisher, gary@smihq.org

Phil Sasso, Managing Editor, phil@smihq.org

Gaby Carrasco, Associate Editor, gaby@smihq.org Lisa Plefka Haskin, Art Director, lisahaskin95@gmail.com

Communications Committee

Chair, Keith Porter Jr., Newcomb Spring I Reb Banas, Stanley Spring & Stamping I Agustín Estalayo, RPK Group I Hale Foote, Scandic Springs, Inc. I Patrick Gillum, Gilco Spring of Florida, Inc. I Adam Jacobson, FENN/Torin I Lucas Karabin, Acme Monaco I Gary McCoy, SMI I Phil Sasso, SMI I Michael Shapiro, Gibraltar Corporation I Bill Wynn, Gardner Spring, Inc.

Advertising Sales I Japan

Ken Myohdai, Sakura International Inc.

Head Office: 3F,4F, ENDO Sakaisuji Bldg., 1-7-3, Bingomachi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka 541-0051, Japan

Phone: 81-6-6624-3601 I Fax: 81-6-6624-3602

Tokyo Global Office: 5F Kamei No. 2 Bldg., 2-17-13, Kiba, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 135-0042, Japan

Phone: 81-3-5646-1160 I Fax: 81-3-5646-1161

E-mail: info@sakurain.co.jp

Advertising Sales I Taiwan

Charlie Yu, Worldwide Services Co. Ltd.

11F-B, No 540, Sec. 1, Wen Hsin Rd. Taichung, 408 Taiwan Phone: +886-4-2325-1784 I Fax: +886-4-2325-2967

E-mail: marketing@acw.com.tw

Springs (ISSN 0584-9667) is published quarterly by SMI Business Corp., a subsidiary of the Spring Manufacturers Institute: PO Box 5668, Elgin IL 60121 Phone: 847-450-6848; Website: smihq.org

Address all correspondence and editorial materials to this address.

The editors and publishers of Springs disclaim all warranties, express or implied, with respect to advertising and editorial content, and with respect to all manufacturing errors, defects or omissions made in connection with advertising or editorial material submitted for publication.

The editors and publishers of Springs disclaim all liability for special or consequential damages resulting from errors, defects or omissions in the manufacturing of this publication, any submission of advertising, editorial or other material for publication in Springs shall constitute an agreement with and acceptance of such limited liability.

The editors and publishers of Springs assume no responsibility for the opinions or facts in signed articles, except to the extent of expressing the view, by the fact of publication, that the subject treated is one which merits attention.

Do not reproduce without written permission.

Cover designed by Lisa Plefka Haskin utilizing Shutterstock imagery.

Don Jacobson III

When you choose to go with RK Trading, quality service is available with one phone call. In fact, it’s part of the package—a lifetime of U.S.-based immediate service and a direct line to our Customer Service department. Don’t believe us? Give our team a call today at 847-640-9771 and ask us anything about your Herdon machine. SCAN HERE

NORTH AMERICA

Rotor Clip has launched a new multilingual website, featuring technical information in French and German to enhance international user experience and accessibility.

The new website reflects Rotor Clip’s commitment to providing clear and effective technical product information and support to the global market, the company says. It plans to add more languages in the future.

“Expanding our website to include German and French allows us to better connect with the global manufacturing community by providing engineers, buyers and distribution partners with the technical resources they need,” said Lane Persky, Rotor Clip’s chief marketing officer.

Enhanced features in French and German include a user-friendly interface, enhanced customer support, product specifications and technical resources.

Visit the new website at www.rotorclip.com.

Global Highlights

Dudek & Bock Spring Manufacturing recently announced the passing of Theresa Dudek Schneider, 88, June 2, 2024, Barrington, Illinois.

Schneider graduated from Mundelein High School in Chicago in 1954 and earned a business degree from Northwestern University in 1958. She started her career in spring manufacturing for her family’s business and eventually became president of Dudek & Bock Spring Manufacturing.

Schneider devoted her life and energy to raising her four children and 11 grandchildren: John Schneider (Cindy Kroger) grandchildren Hayley, Alexandra and Brendan. Mary Schneider-Onesto (Christopher Onesto) grandchildren Christina and Danielle. Suzy Schneider Stoneburner (John Stoneburner) grandchildren Samantha and Amanda. Elizabeth Schneider Duff (Christopher Duff) grandchildren Angeline, Emily, Laury and Madison. Schneider was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Angeline Dudek, her husband, Jack and her daughter, Suzy.

Schneider was best known for her love and respect for her family’s business, which was started by her father, Joseph Dudek, in Chicago in 1947. She was loved and respected by the hundreds of employees in the company’s Chicago and Saltillo, Mexico locations.

Memorial donations can be made in Schneider’s name to United Cerebral Palsy and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pengg WMC, a specialized steel wire products manufacturer, has announced a new joint venture with American manufacturer WMC, to recommission the former ASW Pengg facility in Bedford Heights, Ohio.

Pengg WMC plans to grow its market share in the North American specialty steel wire industry, offering tempered wire grades of ASTM A 229, A 401, 1000 A&D and 877M.

Theresa Dudek Schneider

Global Highlights

INTERNATIONAL

The Japan Society of Spring Engineers (JSSE) held its Annual General Meeting, including a semiannual lecture meeting and a poster session at Meiji University in Tokyo on June 4, 2024.

Five general lectures, two reports by the investigation committee and research committee, one report on “Selecting Spring Technological Heritage” and one special topic lecture were presented to 129 attendees. The opening speech was presented by Kei Watanabe, a vice-chairperson of JSSE and an operating officer of Chuo Spring Co., Ltd.

Five technical posters were displayed in the same hall. Representatives gave a brief explanation of each poster followed by a question-and-answer session. The top two posters were selected based on the participant votes. The first-place poster was awarded to “Coiling Analysis of Valve Springs by the Finite Element Method” by Masaki Sudo of Meiji University, et al. The second-place poster was awarded to “Improvement in Fatigue Strength by Ball Burnishing of Aluminum Alloy with a Surface Defect,” by Kohei Wakamatsu of Yokohama National University, et al.

The Annual General Meeting was held after the closing speech of the lecture meeting presented by Dr. Mitsuo Notomi, JSSE chairperson and a professor at Meiji University.

The wire & Tube China 2024 trade fairs will be held from Sept. 25–28, 2024, at Shanghai New International Expo Center. The exhibit space has been expanded to 10 pavilions (W1-W3, E1-E7) and the trade fairs are expected to cover an exhibit area of 1,232,467 square feet. To date, 1,021 exhibitors from 28 nations have signed up for wire China, including country group exhibits from Germany, Italy, Austria, France, South Korea, China and Taiwan. A total of 379 companies from 12 nations have registered for Tube China.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America at 312-781-5180 or info@mdna.com. Visit the trade fair websites at www.wirechina.net, www.tubechina.net and www.mdna.com. z

CASMI

Don’t Miss SpringWorld 2024

SpringWorld is approaching pre-pandemic exhibitor numbers, with more than 30,000 square feet of exhibitor space sold. This year’s event will take place Oct. 2-4 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, just minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare airport.

With the SMI educational symposium and CASMI expo now combined, SpringWorld has become North America’s foremost spring industry event. SMI will host two mornings of business and technical content (Oct. 3–4), including one economic forecast keynote address and 18 individual educational sessions. The exhibit hall, hosted by CASMI, is the place for springmakers, OEMs, distributors, coiling, grinding, peening and wire forming companies to meet and showcase the newest equipment and latest technologies to key industry decision-makers.

CASMI Hosts Golf Event at Cog Hill

CASMI hosted its 2024 Golf Outing on June 20 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois.

The event was well attended, with 87 CASMI members and SpringWorld exhibitors participating in the 18-hole, best-ball tournament.

The event included lunch for golfers, and the tournament was followed by a reception, dinner and an awards presentation for first and second place teams in two divisions (four total), as well as closest to the pin, longest putt and longest drive.

Three wine and beer gift baskets and a free 18-hole round at Cog Hill were raffled to attendees.

The CASMI designated charity event raised support for the American Cancer Society, a nationwide nonprofit that raises funding and awareness for cancer research. Through raffles and on-course games, participants contributed more than $1,110 to support this worthwhile cause.

The location of CASMI’s 2025 Annual Golf Outing will be announced soon.

CASMI Launches Job Board

CASMI’s new Job Board allows member companies to post free job listings on the CASMI website. This can be extremely beneficial in a tight job market. While the free job postings are only available to members, the job listings on the CASMI website are open to the public.

Upcoming CASMI Events

Oct. 2-4

SpringWorld 2024

Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois

Nov. 14 Member Event

Cooper’s Hawk, Orland Park, Illinois

Dec. 12 Annual Holiday Party Cooper’s Hawk, Arlington Heights, Illinois Events are subject to change. Visit www.casmi-springworld.org for the latest information.

Sixteen Students Awarded $25,000 in CASMI Scholarships

CASMI is proud to congratulate our 2024 CASMI Scholarship program recipients. Scholarships benefit employees of member companies and their dependents.

Our 2024 program has provided more than $25,000 in scholarship funds to students, including a $2,500 award to a postgraduate recipient and $1,500 awards to 15 undergraduate students.

Through the success of our biannual SpringWorld expo, CASMI funds many significant initiatives including the scholarship program. Since the program began, CASMI and its generous donors have proudly provided $961,250 in scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

CASMI thanks Rosemont Exposition Services, our 2024 sole donor, which funded our postgraduate award.

2024 Undergraduate Scholarship Winners

2024 Postgraduate Scholarship Funded by Rosemont Exposition Services

SoYeong

If you are interested in becoming a 2025 CASMI Scholarship donor, please email info@casmi-springworld.org. CASMI relies on the generosity of our member contributors.

Jaida Bender

Robert Bender Worth Steel & Machinery Alsip, IL

Madilyn English Michael English Anchor Abrasives Company Tinley Park, IL

Ciaran Mathews

Meaghan Mathews

Dudek and Bock Spring Manufacturing Co. Chicago, IL

Rachel Chandek

Janelle Chandek Medicoil – R&L Spring Company Lake Geneva, WI

Macee Hinderlider Brock Hinderlider Winamac Coil Spring Kewanna, IN

Kendra Santuk Michael Santuk Lesjofors Spring America, Inc. Pittston, PA

Kegan Collins Travis Collins Sterling Spring, LLC Jackson, MI

Sophia Hudson Steven Hudson Gibbs Interwire Armonk, NY

Amy Skolozynski

Stephen Skolozynski

Master Spring & Wire Form Co. Roselle, IL

Makenzie Dalton Travis Collins Sterling Spring, LLC Jackson, MI

Anna Lassak Andrzej Lassak All Rite Industries, Inc Lake Zurich, IL

Haley Densow Scott Densow Exacto Springs Grafton, WI

Adam Lenczowski Zak Lenczowski

Dudek and Bock Spring Manufacturing Co. Chicago, IL

Megan Wentz Lori Wentz Winamac Coil Spring Kewanna, IN

Alaina Wolan Matthew Wolan Sterling Spring, LLC Bedford Park, IL

Jeong

Woojin Pang MW Components Wheeling, IL

NESMA

By Lucas Karabin, Acme Manaco, NESMA President

NESMA enjoyed several events this summer, including the FLM Yard Goats game June 11, NESMA Comedy Night and Tabletop event June 18, FLM SMA Co-Sponsored Networking event July 30 and the all-important Golf Tournament August 26. We will report on Golf Tournament results in our next update.

Mainstreet Foundation Awards

NESMA participated in the Main Street Foundation’s annual awards banquet. The Foundation, established in 1995, serves Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott, Connecticut. NESMA scholarship chair, John Higginbotham of Rowley Spring and Stamping, leads our giving effort. If NESMA members have a child or grandchild graduating in 2025, or presently enrolled in college, please encourage them to apply. Watch your NESMA newsletter early next year for application information. The deadline is usually in March. As a NESMA member, you don’t need to live in the area to be eligible. While many scholarship programs struggle for applicants, we are pleased with the highquality applications received, and selection resulted from rigorous community review. Two scholarship recipients were announced.

NESMA Award 1: Vincent Zhang, a graduating high school senior from Henry Abbott Technical High School in Danbury (he is also a Danbury resident), will enroll in the engineering and management program at the University of Connecticut.

NESMA Award 2: Angelina Fasci, from Bristol, is currently a freshman at the University of Saint Joseph studying nursing.

Yard Goats

Future Leaders of Manufacturing (FLM), our young person’s board, hosted a Hartford Yard Goats game in June. This included hoisting a ceremonial flag at the start of the game. The Yard Goats are the minor league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. While the Rockies have struggled in 2024 for attendance, the Yard Goats are often close to capacity, even on a Tuesday night. The FLM rented out a “Party Deck” which included a sponsored BBQ and bar. Sponsors included WAFIOS (Gold Glove), Plymouth Spring (Silver Slugger), Connecticut Spring and Stamping (Bronze Bat), Amstek (Curve Ball), Gibbs Interwire (Drink Sponsor) and Napcon (Foam Baseball Sponsor). We thank our sponsors for their generosity.

SMI’s regulations compliance consultant, Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, was a special guest making the trip from western Pennsylvania. That night, the Yard Goats hit a walk-off 9th-inning homer to beat the Akron Rubber Ducks. The Yard Goats have had a strong season and are presently clinging to first place in their division.

Technical Development Committee

The NESMA Technical Development Committee meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month. To learn more about our efforts, which have largely been on a local level in Connecticut due to the proximity of members, please contact us. We believe that future workforce education is a community effort and are happy to share our efforts. We are fortunate to have Al Mangels of Lee Spring, a technically savvy, seasoned veteran, leading this effort. The participation includes teachers, state-run educational programs, not-for-profit business aid groups, schools, community colleges and manufacturing members.

NESMA continues to make efforts to develop and house a standardized curriculum and equipment. While some locations have been stalled by state bureaucracy, we have identified two promising sites excelling in their evolution of programming. Kim Holly’s Bristol Works adult education program has evolved quickly. And the Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation (MASC), led by Richard Dupont and Cyndi Zoldy in Waterbury, is training students in CNC and metal plating in a manufacturing plant environment. NESMA will continue to partner with such programs to ensure our incoming workforce has resources available to foster careers in our industry.

Comedy Night Tabletop

Our first-ever Comedy Night Tabletop event, held at Clocktown Brewing in Thomaston, Connecticut, was a night to remember. The venue, housed in the former Seth Thomas clock factory, is also home to Unimetal Surface Finishing, provided a unique backdrop for the evening. Comedian Dave Reilly’s “Shhh listen” and “I didn’t know” comedy act, complete with fire breathing and a closing act that defied the laws of physics, had the audience in stitches. We are grateful for our sponsors, hosts and guests, including Gary McCoy from SMI and new member, Airmatic Compressor Systems.

Pictured (l-to-r): NESMA president, Lucas Karabin of Acme Monaco; NESMA scholarship recipient, Angelina Fasci; and NESMA Scholarship committee chairman, John Higginbotham of Rowley Spring and Stamping.

WCSMA

2024 Golf Outing Returns to Coyote Hills

The West Coast Spring Manufacturers Association (WCSMA) will hold its annual Fall Golf Outing Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton, California.

The WCSMA invites members and their guests to play a relaxing round of golf and reacquaint themselves with fellow springmakers, associate members and guests in this annual competition. Golfers will play a best-ball tournament beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a 5 p.m. cocktail hour and 6 p.m. dinner at one of the premier golf facilities in greater Los Angeles. There will also be a raffle with prizes donated by WCSMA sponsors.

Early bird registration is $240 per person for golf and dinner, $70 per person for dinner only, and $170 per person for golf only. Early bird rates end Nov. 1.

To register, contact Mark Tiedeman, WCSMA treasurer, at 800-262-6266 or email mark@tru-form.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Debra Kolodge at debra@ftrmetalproducts. com or 562-945-7504. z

WCSMA members enjoying a round of golf at Coyote Hills during a previous golf outing.

Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, CSP, Ed.D.

Are Your Hoist, Chains and Slings OSHA Compliant?

Overexertion injuries, the leading cause of serious disabling workplace injuries, cost American businesses $12.84 billion in 2023, according to Liberty Mutual’s Workplace Safety Index. This includes lifting, pushing, pulling and throwing objects. A deeper dive shows overexertion represented 21.6% of the injuries in manufacturing, costing $1.8 billion.

My two objectives in this article are to encourage you to look around your facility and identify areas where lifting and moving objects can be eliminated, reduced or assisted with mechanical equipment and to evaluate/update your OSHA-required hoist, chain and sling inspection program.

Due to the nature of operations in our industry, using material-handling rigging equipment is essential. I am seeing more and more small hoists on the factory floor. Not just overhead hoists but also jib-type small hoist assemblies at workstations to assist employees with heavy lifting tasks. These assemblies are becoming popular and a worthwhile investment to prevent disabling overexertion sprains, strains, muscle pulls and other injuries.

Compared to the direct and indirect costs of these types of injuries, the investment in assistive equipment is less than the average cost of a single overexertion claim. According to the National Safety Council publication “Injury Facts for 2020-2021,” the average direct cost of a strain-type injury was $34,293, far exceeding the cost of small mechanical assistive devices.

Obviously, any equipment requires care and maintenance. Failure of the lift assist equipment or loss of load can lead to extensive losses, including employee injury and product damage. A formal inspection and maintenance of hoist, chains and sling equipment, along with any other rigging equipment like rings, clips, hooks, shackles

and turnbuckles can reduce the likelihood of loss and keep you compliant with Federal OSHA standards.

OSHA Obligations

The OSHA standards that cover this topic include 29 CFR 1910.184 Slings, 29 CFR 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes. Employers are also responsible for the safe installation, use and upkeep of all equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions. Clients are often surprised to hear that they can be cited by OSHA for failure to adhere to the equipment manual. (No excuses for not having one anymore. They’re easily found on the internet.)

Employers have an obligation to enforce the safe use of any equipment. Supervisors and upper management should ensure that employees are using all equipment in the way they were intended, without damage or malfunction, and never lifting more than the rated capacity (Crane Hoist, Monorail Alliance Fact Sheet). Slings are often marked by the manufacturer regarding capacity, types of hitches and angles, material, trademarks and an identification number to aid inspection. Enforcing the best practices for storage to maintain the long life of the rigging equipment should also be done by supervisors and upper management as they lead the safety culture at the facility.

Material handling training is also an employer obligation. Employers are responsible for guaranteeing that employees who use hoists or slings such as mesh, chain or wire rope are trained in the safe use of these items, including safe selection, inspection, use and removal from service. OSHA has an excellent guidance document for training employees and creating your inspection process called Guidance on Safe Sling Use This document breaks down the different types of slings and what is needed for each.

Be Aware

Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, CSP, Ed.D., is SMI's regulatory compliance consultant. She is an associate professor in the Safety Sciences Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, teaching graduate and undergraduate classes. Contact Rhodes at SMI: 847-450-6848 laurahrhodes@gmail.com

Only Qualified Persons (a formal term by OSHA) should inspect slings and fastenings each day before use for damage and defects. That person(s) also performs other periodic inspections where service conditions are warranted based on frequency of use, severity of service conditions, nature of lifts being made and experience gained during the service life of slings in similar conditions. Inspections must be conducted no longer than every 12 months, and I recommend recording them for normal use. Monthly inspections are needed for severe (heavy) service.

The tips for inspecting slings are worth showing here since many of these items may be overlooked if you don’t have a formal inspection program.

Items to look for wire rope slings:

• Broken wires (see inset note)

• Severe localized abrasion or scraping

• Kinking, crushing, bird caging or any other damage to the rope structure

• Evidence of heat damage

• Crushed, deformed or worn end attachments

• Severe corrosion of the rope, end attachments or fittings

• Missing or illegible sling identifications

• Other conditions that cause doubt as to the continual safe use of the sling

Inspecting a Wire Rope for Defects

When any defect or deterioration is present, remove the sling or attachment from service immediately. Although OSHA is not completely clear on the documentation of these inspection and disposal activities nor the availability of the past inspection worksheets, it is highly recommended that these be recorded and available in the case of accident or OSHA inspection to prove commitment to safe operations.

The Hoist, Sling, Monorail Alliance has an excellent tip sheet with the following list of safe operating steps for a hoist:

1. Take up slack carefully — ensure the load is balanced and load holding action is secure before continuing.

2. Shut down a hoist that malfunctions or performs unusually and report such malfunction.

3. Ensure hoist limit switches function properly.

4. Warn personnel of an approaching load.

5. Check brake function by tensioning the hoist prior to each lift operation.

6. Use hook safety latches. Latches are to retain slings, chains, etc., under slack conditions only. If they are missing, replace them immediately.

7. Ensure the hook latches are closed and not supporting any parts of the load. (The hook needs to be large enough to carry the load.)

Parts of a Hoist Assemby

8. Ensure the load is free to move and will clear all obstructions.

9. Avoid swinging the load or hook.

10. Ensure hook travel is in the same direction as shown on the controls.

11. Inspect the hoist regularly, replace damaged or worn parts and keep appropriate records of maintenance.

12. Use the hoist manufacturer’s recommended parts when repairing the unit.

13. Lubricate load wire rope or chain per hoist manufacturer’s recommendations.

14. Maintain a firm footing or be otherwise secured when operating the hoist. It is best to identify and eliminate manual lifting wherever possible to prevent injury and increase efficiency. However, when that cannot be done, mechanical assistance

is a worthwhile investment. Assess the workspace to see where efficiency can be improved and where hoists, chains and slings are needed to aid in your material handling. Make sure all lifting has been evaluated to be done in the safest way possible. z

Sources and Helpful Links

29 CFR 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes

https://bit.ly/osha-cranes

29 CFR 1910. 184 Slings

https://bit.ly/osha-slings2

Wire Rope for Hoist Inspection

https://bit.ly/mhi-fs03

Checklist

https://bit.ly/mhi-ts02

Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance — Hoist Safety Fact Sheet

https://bit.ly/mhi-ss15

Hoist Safety Tips

https://bit.ly/mhi-ts04

Letter of Interpretation

https://bit.ly/si-08-76

Injury Facts — National Safety Council

https://bit.ly/nsc-wcc

Dan Sebastian

Dean of Springs

What SMI Can Do for You

SMI has been an integral part of my journey through the spring world. It opened doors and helped me become more successful. Perhaps the best way I can explain the impact is through the story of how I got involved with SMI.

In 1970, I was a newly minted metallurgist from Lehigh University who was working at the research and development center of Associated Spring in Bristol, Connecticut. A couple of engineers who were helping me assimilate into the spring community took me to a NESMA meeting in Hartford. The meeting opened my eyes and showed me how large the spring industry in Connecticut was. I met a young springmaker named Pete DiVenere, who was one of my sister’s high school classmates. We became lifelong friends.

In the fall of 1971, I was shipped off to the Associated plant in Mattoon, Illinois. Not long after, the general manager called me to his office to announce he was sending me to SpringWorld. He said the event included some educational seminars that a “tech guy” like me would really appreciate. I met and became friends with several other CASMI members. My involvement with CASMI was limited because of the distance from Mattoon to Chicago, but each SpringWorld show allowed me to meet more Chicago springmakers. I eventually became the general manager in Mattoon and had the opportunity to send many of our key springmakers to SpringWorld so they could learn the value of working with others in the spring community.

We held educational seminars, enjoyed social get-togethers and supported each other with OSHA issues. Many of my fellow MSMI springmakers have become lifelong friends.

After 23 years with Associated, it was time to move on. I settled in Logansport, Indiana where I joined a team that became MW Industries. Not long after I arrived in Logansport, I received a call from Joe Pesaresi of Winamac Coil Spring, who wanted to borrow a cutter shaft for a large coiler. Fortunately, we had one. Joe and his brother Dan encouraged me to go to the SMI annual meeting in Puerto Rico.

I’d never attended a national event and didn’t know what to expect. I was not disappointed. I was welcomed by my new friends from Indiana and my old friends from MSMI, CASMI and NESMA. Shortly after that first event, I received a call from SMI President Park Blatchford asking if I would join the technical committee. In subsequent years I served on many different committees and was eventually honored to serve as SMI president from 2005–2008.

From my first dinner in Hartford to my last day as SMI president at the 75th anniversary celebration to my retirement in 2011, I received countless benefits, including:

• Enduring friendships

• Technical knowledge

• Business development

• The honor of serving others

Dan Sebastian is a former SMI president. He holds a degree in metallurgical engineering from Lehigh University, and his industry career spans more than four decades in various technical and management roles.

Contact Sebastian at SMI: 847-450-6848.

My next career stop was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Not long after I arrived, I got a call to go to a Michigan SMI (MSMI) meeting. After my experience with NESMA and CASMI I saw it as an opportunity to meet a few other springmakers. Wow, did I!

After a few meetings, I was asked to join a committee, and the rest was history. That led to me becoming president of MSMI, which allowed me to get to know most of the member companies. We were a band of brothers (and sisters) who worked for the common good of our member companies and our customers.

Throughout my career journey, the lessons I learned from my SMI membership are among the most treasured. My involvement in SMI was an integral part of my success. However, perhaps the greatest benefit was the realization that SMI companies may be competitors, but first and foremost, we are fellow springmakers. Most SMI members will do whatever they can to help another member of the fraternity. If you are not an SMI member, take the opportunity and join the family and attend SMI events. It is the best investment you will ever make. z

Designing Extension Springs Using SMI’s ASD Software

In “Back to Basics — Extension Springs” in the summer 2024 issue of Springs (https://bit.ly/SPR63-3p22), we presented an approach for extension spring design, using the power of SMI’s Advanced Spring Design version 7 (ASD7) software to backsolve when designing a spring.

Universal Technical Systems, Inc. (UTS) has been SMI’s ASD software development partner for more than 20 years. Todd Piefer, vice president of applications development at UTS, is responsible for writing the ASD7 software and other UTS software products. He has a wealth of knowledge about ASD7 and springs.

An extension spring design example from the “Encyclopedia of Spring Design” provides a spring design methodology. As shown in the 202 Extension Spring Design class, there is an alternate, quicker solution using ASD7. This article will demonstrate the software’s power to backsolve.

Spring Design Example

In our case, the spring designer is given certain spring design criteria but needs to decide the diameter of the round wire.

We are designing an extension spring to be incorporated into an overload circuit breaker. The circuit breaker will be installed indoors in an ambient temperature environment. It is to be preloaded L 1 = 25.00 mm (0.984”) and must exert a load of 17.5N (3.93 Ibf) + 15% (2.625N [0.59 lbf]) when the circuit breaker is closed. If overload occurs, the circuit breaker is tripped, and the spring is extended to a length L 2 = 29.00 mm (1.142”). The load must be 30 N (6.74 lbf) + 12% (3.66N [0.81lbf) to operate a lock, preventing accidental resetting before the malfunction is corrected.

The spring must attach to two 4mm (0.157”) posts at 90 degrees to each other. Either twist or extended loops with generous radii are satisfactory. Because of the surrounding components, the maximum outside diameter (OD) is 7 mm (0.276”). The probability of overloads is small, and breaker operation is expected only three or four times a year. The spring will not be extended beyond L2 during service or installation.

Initial assessment and decisions:

• As the breaker is expected to actuate 3-4 times a year, this is considered a static application.

• The material selected for static applications in an ambient environment is ASTM A227 — Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Cold-Drawn for Mechanical Springs.

• For extension springs requiring an outside diameter envelope because of surrounding components, a clearance tolerance guideline of 10 percent of the OD is calculated: OD = (0.9) * (7 mm) = 6.3 mm. This will be used for initial calculations.

ASD7 Background Information

Figure 1 is a screenshot of the software’s opening window showing the 47 different spring types or loading options available. Once the extension spring icon is selected, Figure 2 shows the extension spring data input screen.

C.Richard (Rick) Gordon

Figure 1. ASD7 opening screen showing the 47 different spring types or loading options available.

Technically Speaking

Default options include:

1. Material = ASTM A228 Music Wire

2. Winding Direction or Hand = Optional (Right Hand is Applied When Optional is Selected)

3. Grade (Tolerance) = Commercial

4. End Type = Machine, Equal Hooks (checked), Centerlines (checked)

5. Configuration = Close Wound

6. Units = US

Alternate defaults for units and grade can be selected from the “Tools” menu, “Options,” to suit the designers’ preferences.

Clicking on the down arrow to the right of the materials field shows the 45 different material selections available. As shown in Figure 3, ASTM A227 Hard Drawn Class 1 is highlighted for this example.

Next, clicking the ellipsis button to the right of the materials field shows the material properties included in the software for ASTM A227 Hard Drawn Class 1, as shown in Figure 4. Data shown includes:

• Density

• Bending modulus (E) [aka Young’s modulus and modulus of elasticity]

• Torsion modulus (G) [aka modulus of rigidity and shear modulus]

• Allowable % bending (APB), which is the allowable bending stress as a percentage of the minimum tensile strength.

• Allowable % tensile (APT) is the maximum allowable torsional stress as a percentage of the minimum tensile strength. Stresses beyond this value may cause the material to take a set.

• % tensile to set (APTP) is the maximum allowable torsional stress as a percentage of the minimum tensile strength beyond which the material will be overstressed even when preset.

Values are material dependent. The values used to calculate the tensile strength for each wire diameter are included. SMI has modeled the tensile strength data included in the ASTM A227 specification, which allows for the calculation of minimum tensile strength for each individual wire diameter.

As we have seen previously, the maximum stress in an extension spring occurs in the

Figure 2. Extension Spring Data Input Screen.

Figure 3. Material Selection = ASTM A227, Hard Drawn Class 1.

Figure 4. Material Properties Data Screen for ASTM A227 Hard Drawn Class 1.

hooks due to bending. The software includes diagnostic triggers for overstressed conditions in the hooks and coil body.

For this example, APT is a value that we can use to backsolve the wire diameter. For ASTM A227 Hard Drawn Class 1, APT = 40%.

ASD7 Solution

Figure 5 shows the input data screen for our spring design example. Along with other input data (shown in bold), we entered a value of 39.9% (<40% APT) in the corrected % coil torsional stress field at cycle load 2, which resulted in a calculated wire diameter of 0.896 mm. As a next step, the 39.9% value was removed from the corrected % coil torsional stress field, and a value of 0.90 mm was entered in the diameter field. The calculated load tolerances for the commercial tolerance grade do not meet the design requirements. Changing the tolerance grade to precision results in a satisfactory design with no design warnings, as shown in Figure 6.

A 3D image of the spring just designed is also shown.

Summary

This extension spring design example introduced users to ASD7 software and demonstrated its backsolving capability for calculating wire diameter to meet the design criteria. Hopefully, this example will be helpful to new and experienced ASD7 users. z

Want to Learn More?

For a more detailed treatment of extension springs, enroll in the next SMI 202 Extension Spring Design webinar, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, 1-5 p.m. ET. To register for this class or others, visit https://bit.ly/SMItech.

SMI has a team of experts, who speak the language of springs, ready to assist you. It could be a metallurgy question about fatigue life or corrosion, or perhaps you need help with a spring design and the use of materials when manufacturing springs. To find out how SMI Technical Services can help you, phone 847-450-6848 or visit bit.ly/springsadvice.

C. Richard (Rick) Gordon is the technical director for SMI. He is available to help SMI members and non-members with metallurgical challenges such as fatigue life, corrosion, material and processrelated problems.

Contact Gordon at 574-514-9367 or c.richard.gordon@gmail.com.

Figure 5. ASD7 Data Input Screen for the Spring Design Example Showing the Calculated Wire Diameter Arrived at by Backsolving.

Figure 6. Final ASD7 Design Data Input Screen Including a 3D Image of the Spring.

All Roads Le ad to

by Phil Sasso

SpringWorld 2024

In 1959, SpringWorld was born at the Graemere Hotel in Chicago.

The inaugural event had 25 exhibitors and drew 739 attendees from 105 spring companies.

This year, SpringWorld celebrates its 65th birthday with more than 30,000 square feet of exhibit space, 80 exhibitors and a partnership with SMI that adds a full symposium of 18 educational sessions and a keynote address on the economy from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

It’s an event you won’t want to miss. Let this issue of Springs serve as your guide.

Memory Lane

Everybody remembers their first SpringWorld. In his President’s Letter (p. 4), Don Jacobson III, SMI president, shares his earliest recollections of the trade show.

“I have fond memories of attending SpringWorld with my dad during my school years,” writes Jacobson. “We would explore the latest and greatest equipment on the market, meet with suppliers and forge personal relationships that have stayed with me throughout my career.”

Our Dean of Springs, Dan Sebastian, reminisces about his experiences with SpringWorld in What SMI Can Do for You (p. 19).

“The general manager called me to his office to announce he was sending me to SpringWorld,” Sebastian notes. “I eventually … had the opportunity to send many of our key springmakers to SpringWorld so they could learn the value of working with others in the spring community.”

The Road Widens

In SpringWorld 2024: Two Paths Converge (p. 26), learn what makes this year’s event distinctive. “By combining the strengths of CASMI and SMI, we’ve created a powerful platform for networking, education and showcasing the latest technologies,” says

Anthony Pesaresi, SpringWorld 2024 committee chairperson.

Go to SpringWorld 2024 Exhibitors (p.36) for a list of exhibiting companies. Also, find a directory of speakers at the symposium in SpringWorld Will Explode with Educational Opportunities (p.32).

“Our symposium covers a variety of topics: workforce development, innovation, accountability with culture, industry education, international trade and more,” Jacobson says.

Also, learn about the live “301 Springs — Fatigue” class in SMI Hosts Spring Design Class at SpringWorld (p.56). This class, on the Tuesday before SpringWorld opens, will expand students’ springmaking skills.

The Path to Success

“Trade shows are back,” proclaims award-winning business journalist Phillip M. Perry in Avoid These Seven Costly Mistakes When Attending a Tradeshow (p. 28). “In a post-pandemic world, businesspeople are returning to exhibition hall floors to obtain profitable insight only in-person exchanges can provide.”

Perry gives tips to maximize your time and investment at any tradeshow.

Please stop by booth 627 to Visit SMI at SpringWorld (p. 56), where you can meet several symposium speakers and talk with SMI staff and volunteers about membership, the magazine and our technical or regulatory services.

Whether you attend SpringWorld as a day trip or spend a couple nights in this Windy City suburb, you’re sure to enjoy seeing new technology, learning new techniques, building your network and advancing your career! z

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research says 83% of tradeshows charge attendees an entrance fee. SpringWorld is completely free — if you register before Sept. 18. Register Online: www.SpringWorld.org

By Phil Sasso

ASpringWorld 2024 Two Paths Converge

s the spring industry gears up for SpringWorld 2024, Oct. 2–4, in Rosemont, Illinois, the buzz and energy are building among springmakers and exhibitors. The event, a collaboration between the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI) and the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI), promises to be an engaging, informative and educational event.

Joe Wesner, president of CASMI and vice president at Sterling Spring in Chicago, has been a longtime participant in SpringWorld. He has witnessed firsthand the show’s evolution, from the first show he attended at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, Illinois, in the 1990s to its current iteration at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in suburban Chicago near O’Hare Airport.

“I’ve seen the industry transform from mechanical machines to highly automated, digitally driven systems,” Wesner said. “The show has mirrored this evolution, showcasing the latest technology and innovations.”

The New SpringWorld

The partnership between SMI and CASMI brings together the spring industry under one roof for a dynamic all-in-one expo and symposium.

“This collaboration is a win-win for both organizations,” Wesner said. SMI brings its expertise in education and research, while CASMI contributes a successful expo platform.

“This year’s SpringWorld is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” said Don Jacobson III, SMI president and vice president of business development at Newcomb Spring. “The energy is palpable. There’s a real sense of excitement and anticipation.”

Backstory

“The decision to combine forces was driven by our members,” Jacobson said. “They wanted a bigger, better show and we delivered.”

Wesner explains that combining the event also allows exhibitors to invest more in one trade show every other year rather than splitting their budget between two shows.

Anthony Pesaresi, immediate past president of CASMI and president of Winamac Coil Spring in Kewanna, Indiana, was in a unique position to shape the evolution of SpringWorld. At the time of the decision, he was president of CASMI and his cousin, Gene Huber Jr., also of Winamac, was president of SMI.

“Gene and Tony, deserve immense credit for making this happen,” Jacobson said. “Their leadership was instrumental in bringing our organizations together.”

The collaboration between the two organizations began several years ago, with discussions about the potential benefits of a unified event. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these efforts as both organizations faced challenges in hosting their respective shows.

“The pandemic forced us to rethink our approach,” Pesaresi said. “It became clear that a combined event would be more beneficial for our members and the industry as a whole.”

Better Together

“The industry recognized the need for a consolidated event,” said Pesaresi, current chair of the SpringWorld 2024 committee. “By combining the strengths of CASMI and SMI, we’ve created a powerful platform for networking, education and showcasing the latest technologies.”

With a nearly 30,000-square-foot exhibit floor and a robust symposium packed with 18 educational sessions and a keynote economic address, SpringWorld is set to be the industry’s leading event.

EXPO AND SYMPOSIUM

ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS • OCT 2-4

Presented by CASMI and SMI

“This is a collaboration between two organizations that have different needs and outlooks, but this trade show and symposium allows us to work jointly for the betterment of the North American spring industry,” Jacobson explained.

The Symposium and Expo

One of the symposium’s most anticipated sessions is a keynote address and economic forecast by David Oppedahl, policy advisor in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. To kick off the symposium on Thursday, Oppedahl will provide insights into the industry’s economic outlook. (For details, see “SpringWorld Will Explode with Educational Opportunities” p. 32)

“We’re excited about the synergy between the expo and the symposium,” Pesaresi said. “Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations and then see those technologies in action on the show floor.”

The expo will continue to include a technical theater showcasing techniques and technology.

Networking Works

SpringWorld will offer formal and informal networking opportunities, including a Taste of Chicago celebration on Wednesday sponsored by MEC, A Division of Amada Press System America Inc. and an Octoberfest-themed gathering on Thursday sponsored by WAFIOS.

“Networking is crucial in our industry,” Wesner emphasized. The events provide a place for springmakers to connect with suppliers, customers and peers to exchange ideas and collaborate. “SpringWorld provides a great chance for building relationships and sharing ideas.”

EXPO AND SYMPOSIUM

Presented by CASMI and SMI

Supporting Students

SpringWorld’s impact also extends beyond exhibitors, attendees and educational tracks. It plays a vital role in supporting the CASMI Scholarship program. CASMI offers college scholarships to its members’ employees and dependents, which are mostly funded by the event’s success.

“Right now, we offer $1,500 scholarships for 15 students,” Wesner explained. “And we have a graduate scholarship of $2,500.” (See p. 11 for this year’s CASMI Scholarship recipients.)

Since the program began, CASMI has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships.

Sponsors: The Backbone

“We’d like to thank the SpringWorld expo sponsors,” Wesner said. “Without them, SpringWorld would not make the impact it does.”

The current SpringWorld 2024 sponsors are: Industrial Steel & Wire (Visionary), WAFIOS Machinery Corporation, Gibbs Interwire (Gold), MEC Division of Amada Press System America Inc., Alloy Wire International (Silver), Witels Albert USA, Forming Systems, Inc., and Automated Industrial Motion (AIM) (Bronze) and Anchor Abrasives, Fenn-Torin, Ideal Welding Systems, Neturen America Corporation, Pitcher Insurance, HS Wire Technology and Worth Steel .

Looking Forward

With the show rapidly approaching, Wesner expressed excitement about reconnecting with industry contacts and seeing the latest advancements in spring manufacturing.

“We are going to have stimulating discussions in a dynamic environment,” Jacobson said. “And we’re going to build relationships that last a lifetime.” z

Learn more and register at www.springworld.org

Avoid These Seven Costly Mistakes

Trade shows offer tremendous opportunities to boost business profits. Yet attendees need to plan for success to avoid returning home with nothing more valuable than some vague impressions. In this article, experts tell how to avoid the most common errors made by trade show participants.

When Attending a Trade Show

By Phillip M. Perry

Trade shows are back. In a post-pandemic world, businesspeople are returning to exhibition hall floors to obtain profitable insights only in-person exchanges can provide.

“People feel that the value proposition of a B2B exhibition is very high,” said Nancy Drapeau, vice president of research at the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. “They see tremendous value and power in the ability to discuss new products with exhibitors, exchange ideas with colleagues, attend educational sessions and keep pace with industry trends.” Unlike product catalogs on the internet, said Drapeau, trade shows let attendees touch and feel merchandise while establishing vendor relationships that can put buyers in better negotiating positions.

However, attending a trade show can be expensive, and not everyone gets the most bang for their buck invested in time and travel. It’s easy to fall into the habit of committing common errors. Consultants advise avoiding the following common mistakes.

1 Ambiguous Goals

Don’t attend a show without setting specific goals. “Identify two or three things you really want to accomplish that will impact your bottom line,” said Meridith Elliott Powell, sales and leadership strategist based in Asheville, North Carolina. “If you succeed in doing those things, the conference will have been a success.”

Goals will fall into one of three categories: seeing new products and services, networking with peers and attending seminars. You may want to find a better source for a certain product category. Or assess the quality of a new equipment line by requesting a demonstration. Is there a specific seminar about a topic of critical importance that you must attend? Finally, set a goal of meeting with specific colleagues to brainstorm solutions to an industry problem.

Bonus tip: Not everyone can attend the show. Ask colleagues if they need you to track down some information.

2 MISTAKE Undeveloped Strategies

Having specific goals is one thing. Pulling them off is another. Given the limited time available at a show, it’s wise to apportion your hours with goal completion in mind.

Very often, reaching a goal means touching base effectively with a key exhibitor. “It’s too easy to aimlessly walk from one vendor to another and get sucked into conversations about products or services that take you off focus about what will really help your business,” said Powell. “Devote your time to those vendors who are most important to your specific goals.”

Make appointments with people who can help you reach your goals. Offer to speak with them in a quiet spot away from their booths. The show might have a relaxation area with chairs and water you can use. Or you might meet an important colleague at a nearby restaurant for lunch.

Bonus tip: Schedule meetings with critical vendors early in the morning before the day gets hectic when they’re willing to leave their booths for a coffee and doughnut.

3 MISTAKE Undisciplined Time Management

You want to see the right vendors in a timely fashion so you don’t run out of time before your essential work is done. And that requires careful planning. “Rather than wandering around aimlessly, approach the show floor strategically,” said Orvel Ray Wilson, a speaker and coach on trade shows. “Use a yellow highlighter or red sharpie to circle the A hit list — those exhibitors you really need to see. Then, connect the dots to their booths and prioritize the visits. After that, mark the locations of the B hit list, your second tier of vendors.”

Avoid getting hijacked by interesting displays irrelevant to your work, he adds. “Knowing who you’re going to skip is as important as who you’re going to see.”

And take some time off. Sure, you are a go-getter and excited about the show’s possibilities. But pacing

is important. “You need downtime,” said Powell. “If you spend four hours at seminars and four hours at the exhibitor hall and then go out to dinner with people, you’re going to be so exhausted none of it is going to take hold.”

Bonus tip: If you miss someone you want to see at a booth, leave your business card with a note on when you will try again.

4 Ineffectual Booth Conversations

Control the conversation to avoid wasting time when you enter an exhibition booth. To do so, know what you want to discuss in advance and then steer the conversation immediately in that direction.

“Avoid open-ended questions such as ‘what’s new?’ that invite the exhibitor to ramble on, wasting your time,” said Peter LoCascio, a Salem, Oregon-based consultant. “Try an opener like this: ‘My name is Jane Walter from the XYZ Company. I am making a business decision to buy a [product]. Why should I consider your model over the one from your competitor?’”

Another approach is to ask, “Who’s your best expert on [subject]?” Or “We’ve had problems with your customer service. Who here has the authority to fix that for me?”

Not every booth staffer is at the same level of product expertise. If no one can answer your question, obtain the name and contact information of someone who can. Sometimes, that will require making a phone call after the show. That can be a prudent step in any case. “Exhibitors often fail to follow up trade show leads in a timely fashion,” says LoCascio. Obtaining the name and number of a person in your territory can help you perform your own follow-up to learn more about a product or service.”

Bonus tip: Ask yourself, “What is the biggest problem in my business?” Ask exhibitors for solutions.

5 MISTAKE Unstructured Note Taking

Trade shows tend to create a state of information overload. “You are going to forget a lot of what you see,” said Chance Castellucio, executive vice president of sales at PromoLeaf, a promotional products company. “There are so many presentations that things can get jumbled in your memory. One solution to the problem is to take pictures that capture the essential information in each booth, including the company name and the relevant product or service. These images will prove helpful later when you return home.”

It’s also wise to take careful notes regarding follow-ups. Whom did you talk to? What did they promise to do or send? Later, you can monitor whether you received what they promised or whether a phone call is appropriate.

Bonus tip: Record important booth conversations on your smartphone or portable device, then have the recording transcribed back home.

MISTAKE

6 Unproductive Networking

Networking is vital to success. Many people, though, fail to understand that it is a skill like any other. Trade show experts advise practicing in advance until you know exactly what you will do in a variety of common situations. Chance suggests rehearsing your approach in three areas: How you first address an individual, what you say during the ensuing conversation, and how you disengage gracefully to move down the aisle. Nailing this routine will give you the self confidence to approach others quickly, efficiently and productively.

Bonus tip: Set specific follow-up times with vendors and colleagues who are especially important to your business. Let them know you will call them at a certain time.

7 Haphazard Seminar Selections

Seminars can be essential components of a successful trade show event. Attending too many, or going to less important ones, can waste valuable time that could be spent interacting with vendors and colleagues.

“Sit down ahead of time and ask, ‘Which seminars relate to the three goals I have established for this show?’” said Powell. Rather than attend a questionable presentation, check whether it will be recorded for later viewing on social media or a website.

TIPS FOR EXHIBITORS

Smart follow-through gets you the most bang for your buck if you are a buyer attending a trade show, as the adjoining article explains. But what if you are an exhibitor? You can still take steps to make your show experience worthwhile.

“Given the time and expense involved with traveling to a trade show, you want to make sure you have a plan for getting the most return for the investment you make sponsoring a booth,” says Peter LoCascio, a Salem, Oregon-based consultant. “And you want to follow up with every prospect after the show is over.”

LoCascio offers these tips for success:

Be alert to the best prospects.

“You want to be able to quickly identify target prospects when they enter your booth, and you can prepare for that by doing your research,” says LoCascio. “Analyze the attendees. The show salespeople will be able to provide a list of attendees showing their titles and specialties.”

“Maybe you are interested in speaking with only five percent of the people attending the show,” says LoCascio. “Know who they are.”

Bonus tip: Introduce yourself to seminar speakers after their presentations, thank them and exchange business cards. Such contacts can be valuable later when you have questions only they can answer.

Conclusion

Follow the tips from these experts, and you will have a much greater chance of making a trade show pay off. Mental preparation is key. “Too often, we let trade shows happen to us rather than plotting out how we are going to get the best return from them,” said Powell. “Trade shows are important tools for advancing an organization, but it takes a good strategy to make it all happen. Set a goal, make a plan, return home and implement.” z

Communicate your business mission.

Avoid the flashy activities too commonly seen in trade show booths, in favor of professional presentations that appeal to prospects’ needs.

“The trade show isn’t a carnival or circus where you can use any form of borrowed interest just to generate booth traffic,” says LoCascio. “The people you want to see are the people who want to talk business, not to be entertained.”

Know your business objectives.

“What are your goals and objectives from a sales point of view?” says LoCascio. “And what will be your return on investment (ROI)?” Finally: “How can you train your staff to meet those goals?”

Emphasize personal networking.

Train your staff to communicate well with strangers. “Many members of the younger generation are no longer interested, capable or comfortable in dealing face to face on a trade show floor with prospects,” warns LoCascio. “They are accustomed to texting and social media. But the trade show is a living experience, and you have to be prepared to look people in the eye and discuss products and services.”

by Gary McCoy

SpringWorld Will Explode with

A lot of work and preparation has gone into making SpringWorld 2024 a great success. CASMI has worked hard to help prepare the exhibit hall, while SMI has concentrated on providing a strong menu of educational offerings.

The SMI-sponsored educational symposium will include a keynote economic presentation on Thursday, Oct. 3. This will be followed by six breakout sessions that same day and 12 sessions on Friday, Oct. 4.

Here’s a detailed look at the sessions that will be offered (subject to change).

2024 Educational Symposium at SpringWorld

DAY 1 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

Breakfast Treats 7:30–8 a.m.

Conference Center Lobby

Educational Opportunities

Breakout 3

AIM Room • Conference Center 12

Raquel Chole, President and CEO, Global Leadership Resources

Special for Women Springmakers: Mentoring and Being Mentored

For women in metalforming, having and being a mentor is especially critical. You’ll learn how to find the right mentor for you, how to be mentored so it’s an effective relationship and process, and you’ll learn how to pay it forward by being a mentor yourself.

Breakout 4

WAFIOS Room • Conference Center 11

Jörg Eisele, Head of the Tube and Wire Division and Sales Director, WAFIOS

iQ Technologies: Enable Easy Setup and Adjustment of Compression and Torsion Springs

Since the development of the first wire fencing machine, technical innovations have driven the growth of WAFIOS. With over 130 years of experience in the wire and tube processing industry, WAFIOS has become an internationally recognized name for quality. The company specializes in developing, designing, and producing advanced machinery for the wire and tube-processing industry, as well as for cold-forging applications. In this session, you will learn about software solutions designed to reduce the workload on your master springmakers and address labor shortages.

Breakout 5

Neturen Room • Conference Center 10

Jackie Bozart, President & Co-Founder, Sell.Market.Win. LLC

Useful Tools for Creating a Comprehensive Marketing Plan

Marketing is an important, but often overlooked topic for many industrial businesses. Especially those who do not have dedicated marketing resources. While there are many marketing solutions available that claim to be “exactly” what your business needs, it’s important to know that no marketing tool can be effective without first developing a solid foundation: a comprehensive marketing plan. Learn the tools to develop a plan for your business and be more confident about your overall effectiveness and marketing budget allocation moving forward.

Breakout 6

HS Wire Technology Room • Conference Center 9

Dr. Laura Helmrich-Rhodes, Regulatory Compliance Consultant, SMI

A New Look at Safety Committees

Learn about the role of your safety committee in today’s spring manufacturing operations. At the end of this session, participants will be able to identify the effective makeup of the committee, list what activities a committee should be performing (responsibilities and authority), improve hazard identification (including OSHA Top Ten for the spring industry), improve ideas for hazard controls, avoid common mistakes of most committees, improve meeting communication including keeping it interesting and gain access to helpful resources. The first 30 participants will receive signed, printed completion certificates to display at their workstations and/or share with their workers’ compensation provider.

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

Breakfast Treats 7:30–8 a.m.

Sponsored by SpringWorld Visionary Sponsor ISW

Session 1 8–8:50 a.m.

Breakout 1

Gibbs Interwire Room • Conference Center 14

Sawyer Janes, Process Engineer, Elgiloy Specialty Metals

High Performance Alloys for Spring Applications

This presentation will look at high performance alloys to consider when manufacturing springs for applications that must perform at high temperatures or in corrosive atmosphere. Elgiloy Specialty Metals (ESM) is a processor of over 125 high-performance stainless, nickel, specialty metals, titanium, and cobalt alloys, including its own Elgiloy® alloy. ESM provides precision strip, foil, and drawn wire products distributed globally for high performance and mission-critical applications.

Breakout 2

Forming Systems • Conference Center 13

Daniel B. Pickard, Attorney, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

International Trade

Dan Pickard is rated among the nations’ leading international trade lawyers and is a frequent presenter and commentator on U.S. trade policy. He will discuss the anticipated changes to international trade policies with the start of a new presidential administration. Preceding the 2024 presidential election, the presentation will focus on the potential similarities and differences between a possible Trump administration versus a Harris administration. The presentation will cover key initiatives from the

Biden administration, include issues connected with a pro-domestic manufacturing and “worker-centric” trade policy. The presenter will discuss key trade personnel from the previous Trump administration, through the current administration and likely picks for the U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce after the election. In addition, Pickard will share predictions as to policy priorities, including trade with China, free trade agreements, use of the trade remedy laws, and the future of the WTO.

Breakout 3

AIM Room • Conference Center 12

Raquel Chole, President and CEO Global Leadership Resources

Bridging the Multigenerational Gap in the Workplace

Learn how to identify generational differences so you can better engage the skills on your team. Once you understand the differences, you can communicate more effectively and bridge the gaps to provide better connectivity. Through this workshop, you will develop an effective approach to attract, retain, and lead a multigenerational team — especially on the shop floor. And these diverse perspectives and experiences collectively will help you lead more effectively by attracting and retaining employees.

Breakout 4

WAFIOS Room • Conference Center 11

Micki Vandeloo, President, Lakeview Consulting Manufacturing Money Available to Springmakers

Lakeview Consulting has a team of five experienced grant professionals who have collectively obtained over $150 million in grant funding for clients in the manufacturing and trade association communities. Vandeloo will discuss opportunities for springmakers to obtain manufacturing grants and funding for apprenticeship programs and other leadership training opportunities.

Breakout 5

Neturen Room • Conference Center 10

Anand Bhagwat, Technical Consultant Wire and Spring Failures: A Root Cause Analysis

This presentation will review examples of wire and spring failures for root causes. They may stem from wire processing, spring coiling or loading conditions. Understanding and identifying them can be part of continuous improvement.

Breakout 6

HS Wire Technology Room • Conference Center 9

C. Richard Gordon, Technical Director, SMI

An Overview of SMI Technical Services

SMI offers an array of technical services to member and nonmember companies. In this presentation, technical services will be reviewed with a focus on training and SMI’s failure analysis program. Highlights from the

ISO/TC227 Springs September 2024 meeting in Milan, Italy will also be discussed.

Coffee Break 8:50–9 a.m.

Conference Center Lobby Sponsored by Automated Industrial Motion (AIM)

Session 2 9–9:50 a.m.

Breakout 1

Gibbs Interwire Room • Conference Center 14

Herb Staten Jr., Marketing Director, MBC Aerosol Filling Machinery

Revolutionizing Manufacturing:

The Role of AI in Modern Production

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing is transforming the industry by enhancing efficiency and precision in production processes. AI-driven automation enables real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Advanced analytics powered by machine learning can optimize supply chain management, leading to cost savings and improved delivery times. Additionally, AI technologies are fostering innovation by enabling the creation of smart factories, where data-driven decision-making enhances overall operational excellence.

Breakout 2

Forming Systems • Conference Center 13

Daniel B. Pickard, Attorney, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Anti-Dumping 301/322 China

Despite growing awareness around how unfair international competition affects American producers and jobs, U.S. manufacturers continue to fight against foreign subsidized products that are sold in the country at low prices. U.S. trade remedy laws are one of the only available tools to reestablish an even playing field for American companies and avoid lost sales and profits. This presentation will focus on a variety of trade remedy laws which allow U.S. manufacturers to petition the government to investigate imports if they are a cause of, or threaten, material injury to the domestic industry. The presentation will cover how U.S. manufacturers have used the antidumping, countervailing duty, Section 301, Section 332, and Section 201/safeguard laws to protect U.S. production operations and profits. Pickard is the chair of the International Trade and National Security Practice of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney in Washington, D.C. He specializes in assisting U.S. manufacturing companies who are losing market share or suffering from decreased profits to obtain relief against unfairly priced imports.

Breakout 3

AIM Room • Conference Center 12

Raquel Chole, President and CEO, Global Leadership Resources

Eliminate Rework:

Deliver Results the First Time

Good communication leads to superior results. With so much at stake, we need to make sure we deliver high quality outcomes the first time. Rework is costly, time-consuming, causes late

deliveries, impacts your profitability and can damage customer relationships. What does it take to get it right the first time consistently?

Breakout 4

WAFIOS Room • Conference Center 11

Jörg Eisele, Head of the Tube and Wire Division and Sales Director, WAFIOS

EJ Neron, National Sales Manager, Witels Albert USA

Latest Developments in Wire Straightening and AI Driven Straightening Process on Wire Bending Machines

Since the development of the first wire fencing machine, technical innovations have driven the growth of WAFIOS. With over 130 years of experience in the wire and tube processing industry, WAFIOS has become an internationally recognized name for quality. The company specializes in developing, designing, and producing advanced machinery for the wire and tube-processing industry, as well as for cold-forging applications. In this session, WAFIOS’ collaborates with WITELS Albert, a specialist in straightener, feed, drive, and guide technology. You’ll learn about the latest developments in wire straightening and discover how artificial intelligence can be used in wire straightening.

Breakout 5

Neturen Room • Conference Center 10

Eric MacTavish, Technical Service Manager, Charter Steel

Troy Kaczorowski, Principal Metallurgist, Charter Steel

Advanced Steel Manufacturing Techniques Critical for Springmakers

This presentation will cover melting and rolling practices of high carbon and alloy springs. We will cover technologies in place at Charter Steel employed to make a high-quality product for our spring manufacturing customers.

Breakout 6

HS Wire Technology Room • Conference Center 9

Todd Piefer, Vice President of Applications Development, UTS

The Power of ASD7 to Design Springs

Advanced Spring Design (ASD) software is a jointly developed product by Universal Technical Systems and the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) that combines engineering expertise with customized calculations to help you design quality springs. ASD covers a total of 47 spring types or loading options and includes compression springs, extension springs, spiral forms, torsion springs, garter springs, snap rings, washers, beams and torsion bars. The SMI Encyclopedia of Spring Design is now included as part of the context–sensitive help, providing diagrams, tables and background information on the many variables involved in spring designs.

THREE DAYS OF EXHIBITS AND MORE

The SpringWorld show includes three days of exhibit hall hours. Below is an overview of the schedule (which is subject to change).

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. SMI 301 Springs — Fatigue Spring Design Class

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024

8 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

1–3 p.m.

5 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Hours

CASMI Technical Theater

Exhibit Hall Closes

5–6 p.m. Taste of Chicago Reception

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024

8 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration

8–8:50 a.m. SMI Educational Symposium, Day 1, Session 1

8:50-9 a.m. Break

9–9:50 a.m.

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

1–3 p.m.

5 p.m.

SMI Educational Symposium, Day 1, Session 2

Exhibit Hall Hours

CASMI Technical Theater

Exhibit Hall Closes

5–6 p.m. Oktoberfest Reception

Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

8 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration

8–8:50 a.m.

SMI Educational Symposium, Day 2, Session 1

8:50–9 a.m. Break

9–9:50 a.m.

10 a.m.–1 p.m.

1 p.m.

1–5 p.m.

SMI Educational Symposium, Day 2, Session 2

Exhibit Hall Hours

Exhibit Hall Closes

Exhibit Teardown

There is no registration fee for the Symposium and Exhibit Hall when you register before Sept. 18. Thereafter the price is $50 per person online and in person. For the latest details and to register for SpringWorld, visit springworld.org.

The SMI educational symposium has been made possible by the support of the following sponsors:

• Gibbs Interwire (Platinum Room)

• Forming Systems (Diamond Room)

• Automated Industrial Motion (Diamond Room)

• WAFIOS (Ruby Room)

• Neturen (Ruby Room)

• HS Wire Technology (Ruby Room)

SpringWorld 2024 Exhibitors

Modern Spring End Grinding Technology

By Simon Haase Applications Engineer WAFIOS

Spring end grinding, a technique used since the early 20th century, gained prominence with the advent of automobile manufacturing. Initially, crush grinding on relatively small machines was the norm, ensuring the spring ends were square and parallel, and providing a solid seat for springs used in valves, clutches and brakes.

As technology advanced, bigger machines in various setups were used: Horizontal or vertical spindles, wet or dry grinding, single or double loading plates and various sizes of grinding wheels and loading plates. Significant advances in technology were achieved through the implementation of down feed grinding and the introduction of CNC systems. With the utilization of grinding wheels with sintered corundum abrasives, the possible material removal rates rose by more than 30%.

Despite technological advances, spring end grinding is still a necessary but unwelcome part of the cylindrical spring production process. It’s probably the most expensive process step; next to costs for grinding wheels and part-specific loading plates, there are resources needed for dust removal and spring loading. In comparison to coiling, the spring end grinding process is usually a slower process and operation, especially loading, is mundane.

Development Stages

There are three spring end grinding process development stages. Granted, some companies face a mix of these stages depending on their part sizes and volumes. Nevertheless, it is still helpful to determine where one stands to achieve a modern, cost-effective and efficient process.

Stage One: Machine Technologization

In the first stage, mostly older machinery is still used due to limited investments in the grinding department and because the machines run well enough for the job. But, updated machinery can enable the use of the latest technology and process control systems. Newer grinding machines are commonly available with vertical spindles, single or double-loading plate setups and modern control systems.

The process can be programmed for crush or down-feed grinding, and assistance software automatically creates fitting programs after providing the workpiece’s geometrical and material data. Sometimes, older machines are not equipped to run grinding wheels with higher wheel speeds of up to 50 m/s (164 ft/s). Increasing cutting speeds from the formerly common 35 m/s (115 ft/s) can improve material removal rates by about 20%. Also, the latest machine technology offers advanced dressing capabilities to achieve better results.

Stage Two: Automation

In the second stage, non-existent or older automation can make spring end grinding production and setup tedious and expensive. Modern automation solutions offer flexible systems that allow processing a wide range of springs: for example, outer diameters of

Modern spring end grinding machine technology can include detailed process control, grinding wheel dressing, process cooling, workpiece measurement and dust removal solutions.

10-35 mm and up to lengths of 120 mm in one system. This is done with a simple control system and quick change over times. Changing setups within 20 minutes can be achieved by tool-less and smartly designed automation components. Robots with intelligent gripper designs and a standardization of loading plate patterns make it possible to run batches of 10,000 springs or less already more efficiently than loading it manually. That makes automation for spring end grinding easy, flexible and economically accessible.

Stage Three: Digitalization

In the third stage, process optimization is achieved by utilizing today’s latest network and computer technology, and fine-tuning spring end grinding to maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Prior process monitoring and optimization techniques have been difficult and only sample-based, often associated with pen and paper or extensive manually filled Excel spreadsheets.

Modern systems allow continual process monitoring, including quick and easy production and resource usage reports. Systems can also analyze the parameters responsible for positive and negative process changes. This way, a process can be optimized based on objective, shareable data, not just by a single expert.

Such a system consists of a network, which integrates the machine, a database and client software. This way in-depth insights into the process can quickly be provided. It also supports successful cooperation with suppliers, like grinding wheel manufacturers and allows the operator to draw optimization

conclusions, making spring end grinding more efficient with minimal effort.

Identifying a company’s development stage can identify opportunities to achieve a more cost-effective and efficient spring end grinding process. Modern spring end grinding has significant aspects from the beginning of its development (for good reason), but the latest technological advances enable it to be brought into the 21st century with high effectiveness and efficiency. z

Haase is an applications engineer for WAFIOS in Mokena, Illinois. He specializes in the EV industry, providing technical consultation and sample production. Before moving to the U.S. in 2023, he worked as a technology engineer for spring end grinding for six years at WAFIOS in Reutlingen, Germany. Haase studied mechanical engineering in Dresden, Germany.

Simon

Modern process monitoring software, integrates data collection directly from the machine, and provides reports and insights for process optimization.

Titanium for Spring Applications

A Look at Lightweight Titanium Alloys

This is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the development of titanium, its properties or uses in spring manufacturing. It is designed to provide basic information on the titanium grades typically used for spring applications and the general characteristics of those alloys.

Although more common than a few decades ago, titanium alloys are still a specialty material used mainly when specific material characteristics are required and when the relatively high cost of the material is justified: applications wherein

Table 1:

Ranges and Effects of Some Titanium Alloying Elements.1

Table

2: E, G and ρ Values for Various Exotic Spring Materials.

Notes:

1. Values for E (elastic modulus, also known as Young’s modulus and the modulus of elasticity) and G (modulus of rigidity, also known as the shear modulus and torsion modulus) are averages and may vary with material form (wire, bar, strip, plate), the amount of cold-working and specific heat treatments employed.

2. Ti-15-3-3-3 is included in the ASD software in strip form only (it was developed initially as a ductile strip product, not for wire).

3. The G value for Ti-15-3-3-3 was calculated based on a Poisson’s ratio of 0.33 for this material.

Terry Bartel, Ph.D.

performance and weight are more valuable than the increased material cost. These applications are often related to the aerospace, military, oil patch and medical markets.

Titanium was discovered by William Gregor of Cornwall, Britain, in 1791 and named after the Titans of Greek mythology by Martin Heinrich Klaproth. It remained somewhat of a laboratory mystery metal until about the mid-1900s, when a refinement process allowed sufficient raw titanium to be produced for manufacturing purposes. Most of the early development of titanium and its alloys was consumed by aerospace, medical, petrol-chemical and naval applications (naval uses were mainly directed at the production of Soviet submarines). For those desiring more details on the development of titanium and its alloys, a Google search will provide a plethora of articles.

Like other alloys, the various titanium grades are comprised of the base metal and other additions that produce desired characteristics (such as corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, etc.). Titanium alloys fall into three general classes as defined by the specific transformation phase: alpha, alpha-beta and beta. (There are other titanium phases, but they are beyond the scope of this overview.) The primary alloying elements to create these various titanium phases, their “typical” weight ranges and microstructural effect are shown in Table 1.

Other alloying elements such as palladium (Pd), nickel (Ni), tantalum (Ta) and manganese (Mn) are added to attain specific material characteristics. But those in the above table are primary alloying additions. As in all other metallic alloys, elemental impurities such as nitrogen (N), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), iron (Fe) and oxygen (O) are present and affect the titanium alloys similarly but are typically kept to as low as possible percentages.

Although a spring could technically be fabricated from any of the various titanium grades (in theory and not necessarily in practice), only a few have practical applications in the “real world.” Those that are most often used are (This is not a complete list of “springsgrade” titanium alloys nor in any specific order):

• Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-6-4)

• Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al (Ti-13-11-3)

• Ti-3Al-8V-6Cr-4Mo-4Zr (Ti-3-8-6-4-4)

• Ti-15Mo-3Al-2.7Nb-0.2Si (Timetal LCB)

• Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn (Ti-15-3-3-3)

There is a substantial amount of published reference information on the first three because they have been used for several decades. Newer alloys designed for specific applications are almost certain to appear, but the cost of new alloy development impedes such activities.

Using the ASD grades Ti-6-4, Ti-3-8-6-4-4 and Ti-15-3-3-3 alloys for examples, a comparison of these titanium grades to some of the more commonly used exotic spring materials and a high carbon grade (music wire), the mechanical advantages of titanium alloys begin to become apparent due to the unique moduli and density characteristics of titanium (Table 2).

Looking at the effect of density on material cost, Figure 1 quickly reveals titanium’s low density provides a possible incentive for its use. Of course, this also depends upon the specific environmental, mechanical and performance demands for the material in each application (e.g., atmosphere, chemical environment and so forth), which can preclude using a specific material.

The comparison in Figure 1 (using X-750 as the base alloy for comparison purposes) only accounts for material cost and density (ρ) and not any other factors – primarily the elastic properties G and E. Such comparison may be sufficient for fittings, strips/sheets or forms other than a spring. For springs, one also needs to consider the effect of E and G on the final spring design, which ultimately accounts for the total amount of material required for a given spring. A quick review of the G and E values for Ti-3-8-6-4-4 shows these other alloys have G values ~2.5 and E values ~2 times greater than the selected titanium alloy. When performing the various calculations for spring design (at least those incorporating G and E, such as the number of active coils), one quickly realizes an even greater weight reduction is possible when using Titanium.

Although not a complete analysis, the above large weight reduction possibility reveals why aerospace applications have embraced the use of titanium alloys not only for springs but also other components when choosing between one of the more common specialty metals. There are other performance factors for some applications, but those are beyond the scope of this high-level look at titanium alloys. Unlike other applications, not many technical articles have been written about titanium springs and wireforms (other than in publications like Springs). For further information about using titanium in spring applications, see References 2, 3 and 4. These articles provide an excellent background for the type of work required to evaluate materials for spring applications.

Relative Material Cost Comparison

(Cost per pound vs cost per 1,000 ft.)

n Cost per pount n Cost per 1,000 ft.

As a caution, always consult your raw material suppliers for property, heat treating and cleaning data. They usually have the most up-to-date information and can provide guidance for unexpected manufacturing oddities that you may encounter (e.g., does a titanium spring always “move” in the same direction during heat treatment, or does it have a “mind of its own?”.) z

References:

1. Matthew J. Donachie, Jr. “Introduction to Titanium and Titanium Alloys” Titanium and Titanium Alloys, ASM Source Book, p. 4, 1982.

2. R.R. Boyer, R. Bajoraitis, D.W. Greenwood, and E.E. Mild. “Ti-3AL-8V-6Cr-4Mo-4Zr Wire for Spring Applications” Beta Titanium Alloys in the 80s. AIME Proceedings, pp. 295-305, Atlanta, 1983.

3. Richard G. Rateick Jr., Kerri C. McCool, Eric C. Leonard and Joseph H. Hoeffer. “Metastable Beta Titanium Spring Performance at Elevated Temperature” SAE Technical Paper Series 200-01-3004, SAE International, Nov. 5-7, 2002.

4. Baoliang Bai, Jianchao Yang and Quan Hong. “Progress on Titanium Spring.” Ti-2007 Science and Technology, The Japan Institute of Metals, 2007.

Terry Bartel worked as a material scientist at the U.S. Air Force Materials Laboratory for four years after earning his Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University. He then joined National-Standard Co., where he managed new product and supplier development for 20 years. For a decade, he was general manager and vice president of wire operations at Elgiloy Specialty Metals. Before retiring, he managed technical services at Charter Steel for 15 years.

Figure 1: Cost comparison on a weight vs volume comparison.

Flashback Getting Down to the Business of Social Media

by Joe Cappello

Editor’s Note:

In this Flashback article from the Summer 2011 issue of Springs now-retired Rotor Clip Company director of global marketing, Joe Cappello, shows how one SMI member learned to use social media in his business more than 13 years ago. Although social media algorithms have evolved and content marketing has grown more sophisticated, the basics still apply!

The featured speaker at a recent seminar I attended spoke about her ideas on building sales relationships. She told the story of a man she met on a plane during a weather delay. The man railed against the senselessness of social media and how he couldn’t understand the attraction.

During their conversation, she learned he had a grandson living in Utah whom he hadn’t spoken to in a while. She convinced him to send a text message to the young man. Within seconds, he received a reply and before the plane took off, grandfather and grandson had sent several communications to each other, renewing the bond loosened by time and distance.

I got the message. Social media in any form is not something I can dismiss on behalf of my company solely based on my own preferences. This is about business, and the decisions I make about social media don’t just affect me but my company’s ability to reach its market in the most effective way possible. Like the grandfather on the plane, social media is a way to establish and renew connections not only with family members but also with the next generation of customers and prospects.

So here are some of the “baby steps” I have taken on behalf of Rotor Clip. We’re certainly no experts at this point, but perhaps I can help trigger some ideas for you and your company as you decide how to join the social media frenzy:

Set up a Facebook Page — I thought I’d never go along with this, but things change, and there are no absolutes in business. You don’t need any special expertise, and it should only take a few minutes (I’m certain there’s a twenty-something in your company who can show you the ropes).

Avoid “Selling” your Products — It sounds counterintuitive to a good marketing effort, but shameless selling is out of bounds.

Impart Information — What seems more appropriate for your Facebook page is news and information. For example, our page has a photo and caption of our owners receiving

a “Company of the Year” Award from the local chamber of commerce. There’s also a link to an article authored by our co-president, Craig Slass, on the status of U.S. manufacturing. I even included a link to the seminar speaker’s website, which I referenced at the beginning of this article.

Keep it up! — This is really the hard part. Information should be updated regularly, with new and interesting items added frequently. You know how a website looks when it hasn’t been touched for years, so you wouldn’t let that happen to your page. I am adding social media activities to my marketing plan. In the future, we plan to update our website with important technical information about our spring products and other timely general business news that will interest our audience.

We have also started using the Facebook icon on our website, ads and literature to promote our page to all our customers and prospects. It will take a while, but we’ll get the hang of it. z

Five Questions

Five Questions allows SMI associate members to tell the spring industry about their products and services. In this edition, we talk with Joe Owoc from

Global Specialty Wire

Tell us about the history of your company and the products it offers springmakers.

Global Specialty Wire was established in January 2023 and began carrying inventories. Our parent company, a well-established U.S. steel producer, supports us. That said, our inventory represents over 30 different mills. Our goal is to be a quality-forward supplier bringing the finest products from the Americas, Europe and Asia. Our product line features many specialty wires, including phosphor music, harddrawn, basic, tempered (oil-tempered MB and chrome silicon) and stainless steel wires. If a customer needs a specialty or exotic wire, chances are we have it in stock or can get it quickly.

What trends impact your industry, and what effect do they have on springmakers?

We service tier two, three and four suppliers to the automotive, appliance and general industrial markets. Business cycles and the overall economic backdrop impact our business. Moving forward, we are positioning ourselves to adapt to any potential policy changes from events like a new administration in Washington in January.

3 What types of products and services do you offer springmakers?

All grades and diameters/cross sections of specialty wires. We pride ourselves in developing new sources as well as managing just-in-time (JIT) programs.

4 What role does logistics play in serving spring manufacturers?

Logistics plays a very significant role in our business. As a warehouse, we focus on JIT programs to minimize the impact of inconsistent mill deliveries.

5 Can you tell us about a recent challenge that you were able to solve for a customer?

We recently tackled an interesting situation in which we needed to design unique specifications outside of ASTM for a specific application. Our experience and past relationships enabled us to engineer a product for a unique, safety-critical automotive application. We pride ourselves on our ability to tap into our network of suppliers for unusual technical situations. z

Joe Owoc

Global Specialty Wire

4135 West 126th Street Alsip, IL 60803

Phone: 630-689-8642

joe.owoc@ globalspecialtywire.com

Follow SMI on social media for bonus content on Joe Owoc and Global Specialty Wire.

By John Mackay, Mackay Research Group

Annual Market Summary Helps Benchmark Industry Profitability

Publisher’s note: In this edition of Spotlight we depart from our usual profile of an individual spring company. Instead, we provide you with a guest article by John Mackay of Mackay Research Group, the company that has worked with SMI since 2002 to produce the Annual Market Summary (AMS). The AMS is designed to help spring companies benchmark against the rest of the industry. It is an important service that SMI provides to its members. By participating in this survey, each spring company has useful information to help compare your company’s industry performance. This year 37 spring companies participated in the AMS. Each participant that returned a completed questionnaire received an individual Financial Performance Report (FPR) delivered in an Excel© dashboard analyzing their company. This report offers an interactive, dynamic look at the columns of data the user wants to use for benchmarking. Mackay Research Group sends these reports directly to each survey participant. Next year’s survey launches in April 2025. Our survey partner, Mackay Research Group, is extremely sensitive to the confidentiality of financial data and has developed secure methods of handling and protecting data submitted by firms for industry performance surveys. Because of their strict procedures, they have never had a confidentiality problem.

Why does one of every four spring manufacturers make three times more than the rest of the industry? Perhaps they have a great, welltrained sales team executing a brilliant market plan. Or have they found a market niche that the other three out of four manufacturers haven’t focused on yet?

Return on Assets — 5 Year Trend

In 2023, springmakers saw a slight decline in profitability. As an industry, however, SMI members have realized a great deal of success in the last four years.

The SMI Annual Market Summary (AMS) report provides concrete benchmarks to understand how highly successful spring manufacturers managed the details of their business just a little better, resulting in a lot better return on assets (ROA). Thriving manufacturers achieved their success by managing what the AMS report calls the Factors For Success, see Exhibit 1. Those key factors are the decisive benchmarks that separate successful companies from other manufacturers in the industry.

Typical Versus High Profit

The term “Typical SMI Manufacturer” in the AMS report means the firm that is most representative of the industry. These typical benchmarks are the ones with financial performance in the exact middle of the results for all participating SMI manufacturers. That is, on any given measure, half the firms performed better than the typical firm and half performed worse. It is the best measure of industry performance on the profit drivers.

In 2023 the typical firm generated sales of $15 million in revenue. On that sales base, the company produced a pretax profit of $975,000, which equates to a profit margin of 6.5%. Stated somewhat differently, every $1.00 of sales resulted in 6½¢ of profit.

In contrast to the typical SMI manufacturer, the “High Profit Manufacturer” generated a profit margin of 18.3%. This means that even if the high-profit firm had produced the same sales volume as the typical firm, it would have generated more profit for

reinvestment in the company. Higher profit along with similar asset productivity ultimately resulted in higher return on equity to the owners of the business.

To determine the group of high profit firms, all participating firms are ranked on the basis of return on assets (ROA). The high profit category includes the top twenty-five percent of the firms based on ROA. That means, the high profit group is one out of every four companies that participated in the Annual Market Summary. The figures reported for the high profit firms represent a median for this group.

Managing the Factors for Success

In trying to move from typical to high-profit, the key is to understand the Factors For Success with greater precision. To facilitate that understanding, the factor results for the typical manufacturer and high-profit manufacturer in the industry are summarized in Exhibit 1. While there are other factors

Exhibit 1: Factors For Success

Factors For Success

that could be examined in evaluating performance, these are the ones that really drive performance.

In the latest AMS, one success factor dramatically stood out. That was gross margin. Gross margin is the difference between the sales price charged for your products and the factory costs to produce those products.

Exhibit 2 details how the high profit SMI manufacturers earned 10 percentage points higher gross margin and ultimately produced three times more profit than the typical manufacturer.

First, let’s assume that the typical manufacturer and the high profit manufacturer attained the same sales revenue. If that were the case, the high profit manufacturer would consume $720,000 less in raw materials to produce their products (or 15% less materials). Successful manufacturers also farmed out $420,000 less subcontracting, a 43% reduction in costs.

Exhibit 2

Ultimately, the keys to earning high profit were: consume fewer raw materials and subcontract less. Sounds pretty fundamental, right? But hard to do!

Moving Forward

The high-profit firms produce great results virtually every year. They also reflect the fact that there are no industry barriers to success. The key to improved performance is to develop a specific plan for each of the Factors For Success and combine them in a positive way. If one of four manufacturers in the industry can earn nearly 30% return on assets, it should be a reasonable goal for the other three of four manufacturers in the same industry. Ultimately that is why SMI conducts the AMS survey, to establish realistic, attainable profitability goals and determine the critical benchmarks for achieving those goals. z

John Mackay has more than four decades of experience helping entrepreneurs, primarily in owner-managed businesses, improve their profitability by understanding their strengths and weakness. Mackay has been conducting the Annual Market Summary survey for SMI since 2002. Mackay Research Group also conducts the Executive Compensation Survey, the Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey and the Plant Wage and Fringe Benefit Survey for SMI. Besides working with SMI, Mackay Research Group conducts financial benchmarking and compensation studies for NTMA, AGMA and other associations in the Metalworking Manufacturing Coalition.

Mackay received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from the University of Colorado. He can be reached at: john@mackayresearchgroup.com.

By Sara Scullin

Women in Springs

Leadership is an Art in Manufacturing

Monica Shaffer, director and co-owner of Novi Spring, Inc., tips her hat to a past mentor while working to foster a culture of innovation and support.

Yes, you can have a big, meaningful career with a small company. In fact, a “small company” may be the best place to learn, grow, make memories and make a meaningful impact.

Monica Shaffer, director and co-owner of Novi Spring, Inc., has seen over the years what it takes to successfully produce and supply specialized springs for the industrial markets that need them. She’s learned what it takes to help successfully steer a company through times of uncertainty. Still, every day is a new day. Shaffer remains grateful and motivated … and she is just getting started.

Novi Spring, a 19-person company in Brighton, Michigan, specializes in making garter springs constructed from stainless steel, brass, music wire and carbon steel. They produce thousands of variations of garter springs. The team builds each garter spring to customer specifications, outfitting gear used in automotive applications, the appliance industry, railroads, heavy-duty trucks, oil fields and more.

Shaffer will celebrate 25 years with the company this December. She found a home in springs after training for a career in the culinary arts. Shaffer reflects on her early days with the company.

“At the time I started at Novi I had recently decided to stop going to school for culinary arts. I liked the [food] industry, but I came to find it wasn’t for me,” she recalls.

Her first job at Novi Spring involved administrative work such as data entry and documentation for the company’s newly acquired quality management system.

From the beginning, Shaffer received valuable training and encouragement from her mentor, then-owner and CEO, Gerald “Gerry”

Monica Shaffer

Photo credit: Stephanie Gamet, Steph Kay Creations.

Johnson. Johnson’s parents started Novi Spring out of their garage in 1960.

“He was a great mentor and a great teacher. He would take his time and explain things to people,” she says.

As time passed, Shaffer grew increasingly interested in the springmaking part of the business.

“Gerry showed me how to read blueprints and quote, which was fantastic. I was really interested in that and the production process. I tell everybody, ‘I’ve never made a spring, but I like to try and problem-solve any issues that we’re having.’”

Shaffer continued quoting and soon took over purchasing. Working within and learning about different parts of the organization was key to Shaffer seeing the ‘big picture’ and building relationships with customers and suppliers.

In 2017, Gerry Johnson passed away. It was a tough year for the close-knit team. The employees rallied together to keep the company going. Shaffer and another veteran employee moved into executive roles and led the company’s day-to-day affairs.

During those years of transition, the challenges kept coming. Like many of their industry colleagues, this team went from navigating new ownership to grappling with pandemic-related supply chain issues.

Shaffer recalls: “You kind of had to learn to just be okay with the uneasiness of it all. ‘Are we going to have materials tomorrow? I’m not sure … we’re hoping so.’ Having a relationship with an organization like SMI during that time was powerful, just to hear that you weren’t alone.”

She remembers getting an email or even several emails a day from people listing materials they had but maybe didn’t need, or inquiries about materials others could help supply.

“I feel like it unified us as a company and shaped how we make decisions. Now, we’re spending a lot more of our time and energy

assessing and planning for risk. We’re thinking, ‘How can we not wind up in that situation again?’”

Forward-thinking strategies are part of the everyday. Not only is it important to mitigate risk on the production floor, but Shaffer notes it’s vital to keep the small (but valued) workforce happy, rested and supported. She wants the company culture to continue to be one of cooperation and efficiency.

“We have a wonderful team that makes going to work a pleasure. With them, problem-solving is fun. It makes work feel less like work.”

Shaffer highlights a recent initiative to cross-train the small team. This makes everyone a bit more nimble and allows individuals to take some well-earned time off.

Another project close to her heart is helping employees balance work and life — whether a family is welcoming a new child, caring for a sick family member or having other special circumstances that require additional flexibility.

She feels fortunate to have had an employer who allowed her extra time at home until her daughter was a little older.

“I felt like I had more balance … that I was spending as much time with her as I was with work.”

Shaffer continues: “I’ve tried to lead with the understanding that people have so many different situations in life, some far more complex than having a new baby. I try to encourage people to do what they need to do for their families. For me, that balancing act is always a work in progress.”

Shaffer, who recently joined the SMI board of directors, plans to continue to lead and engage in this spirit of communication and support. She knows firsthand that the business of springmaking is complex, challenging and rewarding, And the people one works with, both past and present, make it all worthwhile. z

We have a wonderful team that makes going to work a pleasure. With them, problem-solving is fun. It makes work feel less like work.

By Chelle Travis

CTE News SkillsUSA: Leading Workforce Development

As the Executive Director of SkillsUSA, I am proud to highlight our organization’s pivotal role in shaping America’s future workforce. SkillsUSA is a preeminent workforce development organization for students, empowering them with the skills necessary to excel in industry. Our commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry is more vital than ever. Our recent 2024 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) showcased the unparalleled talent and potential of our skilled professionals.

A Glimpse into the 2024 NLSC

The 2024 NLSC held in Atlanta was a testament to SkillsUSA’s focus on excellence in workforce development. This year’s conference brought together more than 17,800

students, teachers and business partners nationwide, creating the world’s largest display of skilled talent. The event was a vibrant celebration of skills, innovation and the future of America’s workforce. A highlight of the NLSC was the SkillsUSA Championships, where over 6,500 outstanding students competed in more than 115 different trade, technical and leadership fields. These competitions not only tested their skills but also provided students with the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in a real-world setting. From 3D animation to welding and everything in between, the breadth of talent on display was awe-inspiring and underscored the diverse career paths available to students today.

A Springmaker Meets Future Talent

This year, Don Jacobson III, vice president of business development at Newcomb Spring Corp and current SMI president, joined us for VIP Day at the NLSC. As a prominent member of the spring manufacturing industry, Jacobson’s participation offered a unique perspective on the value of skilled talent in today’s workforce. His engagement with students and industry representatives emphasized the crucial partnership between business leaders and education in preparing students for successful careers.

“I’d heard of SkillsUSA for many years, but it took walking into the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to truly grasp the organization’s scope,”

Students compete in Robotics - Urban Search and Rescue at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships, one of 115 national events hosted by SkillsUSA and industry partners.

SkillsUSA students compete in welding at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships.

Photo

says Jacobson. “I spent two days talking with participants, parents, teachers and sponsors, and I was amazed at their passion for SkillsUSA. I was so impressed I’m currently working to start a new chapter in Chattanooga to get more students involved at the middle school and high school level.

“SkillsUSA already has so many industrial partners, it only makes sense for springmakers to also get involved locally and nationally,” Jacobson continues. “If we don’t, we’re going miss out on some very impressive and talented students looking to join the manufacturing workforce.”

About SkillsUSA

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce. We serve middle school, high school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, we are a verified talent pipeline and solution to the skills gap.

Skills Gap in Manufacturing

When many people hear “skills gap,” their first thoughts turn to a lack of technical skills in specific industries. This is understandable,

given the statistics. In the United States, the manufacturing sector forecasts over 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. According to McKinsey and Company, 87% of companies worldwide claim to be experiencing a skills gap now or anticipate one in the next few years.

Skills-Building Curriculum

At SkillsUSA, while we understand that technical skills are a significant part of the skills

In the United States, the manufacturing sector forecasts over 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030.

Additive manufacturing competition college/postsecondary medalists are announced at the 2024 awards ceremony at SkillsUSA’s national conference.

Photo

Photo credit: SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA student leader, Lillia Burkes of Maryland (red blazer) talks with SMI president Don Jacobson (blue shirt) and other industry partners and prospects on VIP Day at the 2024 national conference.

gap, they are not the whole picture. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into the curriculum, and the SkillsUSA Framework provides a comprehensive approach to help students develop personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Developed with insights from over 1,000 industry partners, this Framework serves as our blueprint for career readiness, guiding students to develop essential skills like integrity, work ethic, leadership and adaptability alongside their technical proficiency. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing students with the skills they need to succeed in their careers and lives. Our success is built on a strong partnership with more than 850 business, industry and labor organizations. These collaborations ensure our programs reflect the latest technology and industry standards, making our students workforce-ready on their first day on the job.

A Commitment to Excellence

SkillsUSA is more than just a competition or a conference; it is a movement committed to empowering students and elevating the perception of skilled trades. As we look to the future, SkillsUSA is dedicated to expanding our reach and impact, ensuring that more students have access to the training and opportunities that will set them on the path to success. We are proud to be recognized as the number one workforce development organization for students and are excited to continue building a brighter future for America.

We are grateful to our partners, educators and the extraordinary students who have made SkillsUSA the thriving organization it is today. Together, we are creating a talent pipeline that is second to none, and we invite you to join us in our mission to lead the way in workforce development. Learn more about SkillsUSA and our SkillsUSA Framework at www.skillsusa.org. z

Our success is built on a strong partnership with more than 850 business, industry and labor organizations.

Learn More About SkillsUSA at SpringWorld Symposium

Be sure to join the SkillsUSA National Executive Director, Chelle Travis, for an engaging presentation on how SkillsUSA is shaping the future of the skilled trades. Travis will present “Empowering the Future: Building a Skilled Workforce with SkillsUSA” at the SMI-sponsored Educational Symposium at SpringWorld on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. in the Gibbs Interwire Room — Conference Center 14. Travis will describe how the organization’s partnerships with industry leaders, like those in the spring manufacturing sector, create a pipeline of talented professionals ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

In addition, she will help the spring industry learn about SkillsUSA’s innovative programs and competitions that provide students with the skills and confidence to succeed in the workforce. She will also explain how companies can be part of this transformative journey and help empower the next generation of skilled workers with SkillsUSA, the number one workforce development organization for students.

For more information on the Symposium, visit https://bit.ly/sw24-ed.

Photo credit: SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA member in automated manufacturing technology at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta.

Gary McCoy

A Message from Gary

Slow Down to Become More Productive

As I write this column, it is summertime in Chicago and the pace has slowed. With longer daylight hours, everyone is in a more relaxed mode and out enjoying their favorite activities. In my case, it is spending time at the golf course with friends amid the solitude of nature. Mark Twain used to joke that “golf is a good walk spoiled.”

I say to each his own!

Slowing down is not always appreciated in the workplace but should be valued by everyone. That message from author Cal Newport is why I highly recommend a new book, “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout.”

You could say it is the opposite of the “quiet quitting” trend that emerged during the pandemic. As you might remember, quiet quitting advocated for people to do the bare minimum required for their jobs. That way, they could cope with workplace burnout.

As the book’s subtitle promises, Newport provides a new philosophy for pursuing meaningful accomplishments while avoiding burnout and overload. It is based on three principles: 1) do fewer things, 2) work at a natural pace and 3) obsess over quality.

His philosophy focuses on workers in the “knowledge economy,” where it is often harder to clearly define productivity. He looks at the notion of “pseudo-productivity” and whether workers who perform assigned tasks are adding value to your business or just “looking busy.”

Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, where he is also a founding member of the Center for Digital Ethics. He regularly writes for a general audience about the intersection of technology, productivity and culture. I’ve not read his previous books, “Deep Work,” “Digital Minimalism” and “A World Without Email.” I’ve been told that this book synthesizes the themes from his previous works into this new philosophy of slow productivity.

My feeling is that the book is less about productivity and more about claiming a new relationship with work. He presents the idea that by slowing down, we get more done. Perhaps not more tasks, but more meaningful work.

If I could sum up his book, I would say the goal for all of us should be to pace ourselves at work and focus on quality.

Good luck in this endeavor and perhaps Newport’s insights might help you coach a valuable employee on the verge of burnout.

Gary McCoy Executive Director

Inside SMI

Visit SMI at SpringWorld

You’re invited to booth 627 at SpringWorld to discuss SMI membership, Springs magazine and SMI’s ASD7 spring design software. SMI staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about membership, technical and regulatory matters. Several speakers from the SMI Educational Symposium will also be available at the booth throughout the show. Check the booth for speaker schedules.

In addition, information will be available about the 2025 SMI Annual Meeting to be held March 29–April 1, 2025, at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans.

SMI Hosts Spring Design Class at SpringWorld

SMI will offer the advanced-level spring design training class 301 Springs — Fatigue Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CDT). It will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, the day before the start of SpringWorld 2024.

The course complements students’ knowledge of SMI’s Advanced Spring Design 7 (ASD7) software. It builds upon the principles taught in the basic classes, 201 Compression Spring Design, 202 Extension Spring Design and 203 Torsion Spring Design. It is recommended that students complete the 200level courses or have equivalent knowledge before signing up for this course.

The course is designed as a focused, real-world spring design training session.

Students will learn:

• The causes and mechanisms of failure in springs

• The definition of fatigue and three stage fatigue failure process

• The four key factors of fatigue

• Fatigue design considerations for a successful project utilizing the SMI seven step spring design process

• Goodman diagram interpretation and how to input engineering fatigue test data into the ASD7 software

• Fatigue failure analysis methodology overview

Students will have the opportunity to seek opinions and clarification of any fatiguerelated issues they may have.

This class will increase students’ knowledge of fatigue issues related to springs and their company by having an SMI-trained associate as part of their team.

The program costs $295 for SMI members and $425 for nonmembers and includes lunch, drinks and snacks. The class is limited to the first 20 attendees.

SMI will provide an ASD7 30-day license to each registered participant.

For more information and to register for the class, visit https://bit.ly/SMItech or contact Gaby Carrasco at gaby@smihq.org.

2024 Spring Design Training Schedule

As a component of SMI’s Advanced Spring Design (ASD) computer software, SMI offers spring design training programs to help industry newcomers and veterans increase their knowledge. Training is available to both members and nonmembers.

Our upcoming training schedule for the rest of 2024 is shown below.

For more information and to register for classes, visit https://bit.ly/SMItech or contact Gaby Carrasco at gaby@smihq.org.

Schedule

Class Date*

201 Compression Spring Design Oct. 17, 2024

202 Extension Spring Design Nov. 14, 2024

203 Torsion Spring Design Dec. 19, 2024

Webinars are offered from 1–5 p.m. EDT/EST *Dates are subject to Change.

SMI Welcomes New Members

Please join us in a warm welcome to SMI’s newest members.

AT Wire

Christian Wonneberger, Sales Manager www.at-wire.de

Dayton Lamina

Rodney Yeomans, Manager of Business Development www.daytonlamina.com

Orlando Precision

Frank Mauro, President www.orlandoprecision.com

Tennessee Spring and Metal

Paul Benny, President www.tennesseespring.com

Put New Orleans on Your Radar

It is not too early to mark your calendar for the 2025 SMI Annual Meeting to be held at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans, March 29–April 1, 2025.

Located at the intersection of Poydras Street and Tchoupitoulas Street, the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is a downtown New Orleans hotel that is within a short walk or ride to area attractions.

More information on the 2025 meeting will be available soon.

At Anchor Abrasives we specialize in the design and manufacture of resin, epoxy and oxychloride bonded nut inserted discs and cylinders...plus centerless and rollwheels.

and cylinders...plus

of innovative

At Anchor Abrasives we specialize in the design and manufacture of resin, epoxy and oxychloride bonded nut inserted discs and cylinders...plus centerless and rollwheels. Today, in our modern manufacturing facility, we are ready to continue our tradition of innovative quality products and unmatched customer service. For more information contact Anchor Abrasives Company, 7651 West 185th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 U.S.A. Phone: 708-444-4300; Fax: 708-444-1300.

Today, in our modern manufacturing facility, we are ready to continue our tradition of innovative quality products and unmatched customer service. For more information contact Anchor Abrasives Company, 7651 West 185th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 U.S.A. Phone: 708-444-4300; Fax: 708-444-1300.

and rollwheels. Today, in our modern manufacturing facility, we are ready to continue our tradition of innovative quality products and unmatched customer service. For more information contact Anchor Abrasives Company, 7651 West 185th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 U.S.A. Phone: 708-444-4300; Fax: 708-444-1300.

www.anchorabrasives.com

products and unmatched customer service. For more information contact Anchor Abrasives Company, 7651 West 185th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 U.S.A. Phone: 708-444-4300; Fax: 708-444-1300.

Jack and Jeff Shoemaker, second and third generations continuing the tradition at Anchor Abrasives.

Inside SMI

Benchmark With Your Peers

SMI regularly surveys its members to help them understand how they are performing relative to others in the industry. We respect your privacy and recognize the importance of confidentiality. No company data is ever shared with SMI members, SMI itself or any third parties. 2024-2025 Schedule

Key Business Trends Survey Sent Responses Due Results Sent Third Quarter 2024 Oct. 4, 2024 Oct. 14, 2024 Oct. 15, 2024

Fourth Quarter 2024 Jan. 6, 2025 Jan. 16, 2025 Jan. 17, 2025

Wages & Benefits

(every other year — regular member contacts)

Survey Sent Responses Due Results Sent 2024 Sept. 3, 2024 Oct. 1, 2024 Nov. 15, 2024

Salary (every other year — regular member contacts) Survey Sent Responses Due Results Sent 2025 Oct. 1, 2025 Oct. 30, 2025 Nov. 29, 2025

Annual Market Survey (regular member contacts) Survey Sent Responses Due Results Sent Industry Report to SMI April 2, 2025 May 31, 2025 July 15, 2025 Individualized Reports to SMI Member July 31, 2025

Calendar z Key Events for the Global Spring Industry 2024

Oct. 2-4

SpringWorld Expo and Symposium

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Illinois www.springworld.org 2025

March 29–April 1

SMI Annual Meeting Kimpton Hotel Fontenot New Orleans www.smihq.org

Send Us Your News

SMI members receive priority placement for their product, company, personnel and events announcements in the magazine. Your news releases should be roughly 50 to 100 words and may be accompanied by color photos (high-resolution .JPEG photos at 300 dpi preferred). Send to gaby@smihq.org.

We’d love to hear from you!

Springs welcomes your notes and comments on the contents of our publication. Please email Phil Sasso, Managing Editor, at phil@smihq.org

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Why SMI?

Globalisaqualityforward specialtysteelandalloywiredistributordedicatedto developing the highest value products available from Europe to Asia and throughout the America’s. Ourprimaryproductsare,butnotlimitedto,Temperedwires(OTMBandCRSI),StainlessSteel,Phos andGalvanizedMusicandHDMBwires,aswellasPhos,BoraxorGalvanizedLowCarbonBasic Wires. We supply round wire, as well as specialty cross sections. We take on

The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) serves, supports and educates North American precision spring manufacturers in their pursuit of competitiveness in world markets.

As the voice of the spring industry, SMI members benefit from:

• Valuable technical support for failure analysis, fatigue life, corrosion, spring design and the use of materials when manufacturing springs

• Helpful regulatory compliance webinars, audits, and training programs

• Reduced member pricing for our popular spring design software (ASD7) and training classes designed to help students increase their spring design knowledge

• Useful member discounts and access to student scholarships for employees of SMI member companies

SWPB;

Wires ASTM A228-18;

JISG 3521

JISG 3522

AMS 112M; military specifications, and others. Call for special wire needs and solutions, including restricted tensiles and size tolerances.

SUPERIOR QUALITY SPRING WIRE

Gaby Carrasco

Podcast Picks

Embracing Failure: How to Make Mistakes That Work

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques | Matt Abrahams E132 | March 5, 2024 | 26 min.

To this day, I don’t think my parents fully understand my communications degree or my career. As a first-generation college student, my parents really wanted me to earn a degree in medicine, law or business. But that wasn’t the right choice for me.

I’ve always been interested in the world of communications. It is so intricate and massive that I knew I’d never get bored. This podcast explores those intricacies.

Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, is the host. In this episode, Amy C. Edmonson, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of “The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,” outlines how leaders can foster an environment where failure is viewed as a success.

Edmonson discusses psychological safety in teams. Psychological safety allows you to speak candidly with interpersonally risky statements like “I made a mistake,” “I need help” or “I disagree.” The goal is to create an environment that allows discussions where this is expected and welcomed. It allows you to believe your voice is welcome so that you don’t hold back.

To create this environment, leaders must constructively respond when things do not go according to plan and where follow-up questions create productive feedback. These leaders practice acknowledgment and gratitude when people act vulnerably or share mistakes.

Edmonson discusses her study of the impact of psychological safety together with status, power, culture and expertise in a hospital setting. Hospitals whose top doctors took the time to ask questions and connect with those under them had an 18% improvement in morbidity and mortality compared to their counterparts.

There’s anecdotal evidence that any team member who asks a thoughtful question

and then listens carefully to the response, whether that’s of a superior, a peer or a subordinate, is giving others a stage, to express themselves. And that demonstrates respect.

There are three types of failure, according to Edmonson: basic failures, caused by mistakes; complex failures, caused by multiple factors coming together in the wrong way; and intelligent failures, undesired results of thoughtful forays into new territory.

Leaders can communicate about failures and mistakes in a way that encourages learning and resilience rather than fear and blame, says Edmonson. She emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and understanding that not all failures are equal.

I think everyone struggles with the idea that failure is bad and wants to hide their failures. But the idea that failure can be important and even helpful from a personal and business perspective is interesting. Ideas like this are one of the many reasons I love the field of communications.

What did you think of this episode? z

Want to share a business development podcast for me to review? Please send your suggestions to gaby@smihq.org.

EXPO AND SYMPOSIUM

ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS • OCT 2-4

Presented by CASMI and SMI

EXPO AND SYMPOSIUM

Presented by CASMI and SMI

Don’t miss SpringWorld!

Hear from the top companies and professionals, explore cutting-edge tech, and learn more during the educational sessions.

Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI) and The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) have partnered to combine the two organizations’ biennial events into one industry foremost event. The joint SpringWorld Expo and Symposium will be held October 2-4, 2024, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

In addition to the CASMI hosted exhibit hall, SMI will also host two mornings of business and technical content, including 18 educational sessions. Exhibit hall hours will be similar to prior years and the technical theater and receptions return! Don’t miss this comprehensive educational and networking event to learn the latest from suppliers and educators.

Reviewed by Phil Sasso

Book Corner

The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

I’m taking a class with Malcolm Gladwell, so I decided I should read one of his books.

The fact that I’m taking a class with a bestselling author is far less impressive than it sounds. I’ve never met him. He doesn’t know my name. And he won’t read my assignments. It’s an on-demand MasterClass, so I won’t even get a certificate or single continuing education credit, but I still felt obligated to read one of his books.

I chose his top selling “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” because I’ve had a half-read copy collecting dust on my bookshelf for decades.

“The Tipping Point” explores how certain messages, products and behaviors spread. A tipping point is the moment when an idea or trend gains momentum and soars. Through his unique brand of storytelling and analysis, Gladwell examines how things go viral.

Understanding Gladwell’s tipping point involves understanding three rules: the law of the few, the stickiness factor and the power of context.

The Law of the Few

“The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts,” Gladwell writes. His “Law of the Few” focuses on how a small number of people he labels as connectors, mavens and salesmen help ideas spread.

In today’s social media world, we might confuse these with “influencers,” but to me, Gladwell’s opinion leaders don’t seem to be acting out of overt self-interest.

The Stickiness Factor

Content that’s engaging and memorable is called “sticky,” because it stays with people.

“There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible," Gladwell states. Tweaking content can impact its stickiness.

The Power of Context

“The Power of Context says that human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environment than they may seem,” Gladwell writes.

Gladwell believes our surroundings can shape our behavior.

For example, he uses the Broken Windows Theory to explain how building upkeep and prosecuting minor offenses dramatically reduced serious crime in 1990s New York City.

Gladwell's critics fault him for using anecdotes over evidence, and say he tends to oversimplify. For example, the Broken Windows Theory has caused debate about its efficacy and ethical implications. Some reviewers say he seems to be confusing correlation with causation.

The book still feels relevant today. In fact, it is so relevant that Gladwell is launching a 25th anniversary sequel, “Revenge of the Tipping Point,” due out in fall 2024. Be aware that Gladwell’s work isn’t a self-help or how-to book, so you’ll need to connect the dots to apply his ideas to anything practical, like management or marketing.

Understanding tipping points may be more impactful than ever, especially in today's social media landscape fueled by rapid information sharing.

I’m taking Gladwell’s MasterClass and studying his book, in part to improve my craft and become a better writer and editor. Although I’m not entirely sure his genius is transferrable — he is a good writer, but not as skilled as a teacher. z

Have a favorite business book you would like me to review? Email your suggestion to phil@smihq.org.

New Products

Pneumatic Lift Door Box Oven Features HMI Panel

Forming Systems Inc. has introduced the newest oven design from HSI, the HB1700LD Lift Door Box Ovens with HMI panel

These new ovens are designed for batch stress relieving and heating various components up to a maximum temperature of 500°C (930°F). They are available in various volumes, with models ranging from 180-liter to 2,200-liter conveyor ovens. The oven doors are pneumatically operated for ease of operation and conservation of workspace.

The system features a touchscreen panel and a PLC control system with communication protocols. Digital error diagnosis and built-in temperature recording are included. Estimated power consumption is monitored and recorded, and remote access via VNC software allows monitoring from PCs, tablets, or smartphones. Automatic maintenance reminders for fan lubrication, system cleaning and inspection are provided. Additionally, the system is configured to meet CQI9 standards for the automotive industry.

Available options include a two-stage programmable temperature control function (HMI-Ep), AMS2750F capability, TUS3 capability and trolley or SS tray systems.

For more information, contact Forming Systems Inc. at info@formingsystemsinc.com or 269-679-3557.

Rapid Change Spring Test Fixture

Starrett’s new Rapid Change Spring Test Fixture allows users to quickly swap load cells based on spring size and type to help production efficiency and minimize downtime between tests.

Starrett’s FMS Force Testing Systems handle high-volume production testing with superior consistency compared to manual methods. The compact footprint makes them ideal for Lean manufacturing environments and in-line operations.

The intuitive test templates simplify setup, enabling users to define test parameters for load or height-based testing in seconds. The systems measure spring rate, constant, free length, solid height and initial tension.

Built-in tolerance checks provide immediate pass/fail results displayed in graphs or tables.

The FMS series test frames, available with capacities of 1000N, 2500N and 5000N, are compatible with Starrett Lx software.

1130

SPRING WORLD BOOTH

For more about Starrett’s spring testing solutions, visit www.starrettmetrology.com/force.

New Products

Norton Grinding Wheels Have 30% Longer Life

Norton Stellar’s line of inserted nut grinding wheels for double- and single-disc grinding features Saint-Gobain Abrasives. These grinding wheels provide improved wheel life, increased parts per wheel and lower cost per part, says the company.

Norton Stellar grinding wheels have more than 30% longer wheel life than other disc grinding products, require less dressing and parameter changes and have an improved material removal rate of more than 15%, according to the company.

Available in a range of grains and bonds, Norton Stellar wheels include the new Quantum Prime nano-crystalline ceramic grain. All Norton Stellar disc grinding wheels

Send us Your News

are made-to-order to fit exact customer needs and are available in diameters 8”–42” and grit ranges 16–220.

Key applications include spring grinding, as well as piston rings, connecting rods, compressor plates, automotive and machinery components, bearing races and hand tools.

For more information, visit www.nortonabrasives.com. z

SMI members get priority placement of their product news. News releases should be roughly 50 to 100 words and may be accompanied by color photos (HiRes .JPEG at 300 dpi preferred). Send to gaby@smihq.org.

Don’t Settle For Seconds

At Admiral Steel, we understand that your product is your reputation. That’s why we take pride in specializing in premium quality high carbon steel that meets specs such as AMS, QQS, and ASTM certified. Our commitment to providing certified material means that you can trust that you are receiving the highest quality steel available. Don’t settle for seconds and rejects. Choose Admiral Steel for the assurance of premium quality steel products. Call us at 800-323-7055 or email sales@admiralsteel.com

Untangle Your Spring Problem

y Precision Coil Spring

Natalie Goering

Name: Natalie Goering

Snapshot

Company: Precision Coil Spring (PCS), El Monte, California.

Job title: General Manager.

What I like most about being a springmaker: Seeing the various applications that springs are used in.

Nickname (if any): Nat.

Birthplace: Long Beach, California.

Current home: Long Beach, California.

Favorite food: In-N-Out Burger (and fries).

Favorite song/musician: Reggae Music— Stick Figure.

Your hobbies: Traveling.

Favorite place: Gold Coast, Australia. Podcast you’re listening to: Unlocking Potential.

What is on your bucket list: Visiting 50 countries before I am 50.

Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go without: Diet Coke!

Favorite actor/actress: Reese Witherspoon.

Best times of my life: Traveling the world on Semester at Sea.

A really great evening for me is: Me, my dog, my couch and a movie marathon.

The one thing I can’t stand is: Lying!

People who knew me in school thought I was: A nerd.

I knew I was an “adult” when: I had a mortgage payment.

If I weren’t working at my company, I would like to: Teach high school.

The most difficult business decision I ever had to make was: Joining the family business.

I wonder what would have happened if: My grandpa was still alive.

Role models: My grandpa and my dad. I would like to be remembered in the spring industry for: Caring about people.

But people will probably remember me for: High prices and long lead times.

Pictured (l-to-r) at the 2024 SMI annual meeting: Chris Goering, Courtney Breen, Anna Beth Goering, Bert Goering, Natalie Goering and Gabby Macias.

Introducing our new logos:

Central Slide