Types of Springs: Compression, Torsion, and Disc – How to Choose the Right One? 

When it comes to mechanical design, selecting the right type of spring is critical. Whether you're building heavy-duty industrial machinery or precision components for OEM applications, springs play a vital role in functionality, safety, and durability. In this guide, we break down the three most commonly used industrial springs — compression, torsion, and disc springs — and help you understand how to choose the right spring for your specific application. 
 
Choose compression springs for axial loads, torsion springs for rotating force, and disc (Belleville) springs for very high force in tight spaces, validating designs against EN 13906 and EN 16983/16984 before placing a custom spring order. 

EU standards at a glance 

• Compression springs: EN 13906‑1 defines calculation and design for cold/hot coiled cylindrical helical compression springs made from round wire and bar with axial loading. 

• Torsion springs: EN 13906‑3 specifies calculation and design of cylindrical helical torsion springs with a linear characteristic and details key terms like torque M and maximum permissible angle. 

• Disc springs: DIN 2092/2093 were withdrawn and replaced by DIN EN 16984 (calculation) and DIN EN 16983 (quality requirements, dimensions), keeping technical content aligned for EU use. 

 
Metric quick examples 

• Compression: Typical cold‑coiled designs use wire d ≤ 20 mm with spring index 4 ≤ w ≤ 20; for example, OD 20 mm, wire 2.0 mm, free length 50 mm falls within EN 13906‑1 bounds for axial loading checks. 

• Torsion: A leg spring designed to EN 13906‑3 might target M = 12 N·mm at 45° on a 10 mm mandrel with 1.0 mm wire, verified for angle limits and stress per the standard’s terminology and tables. 

• Disc: EN 16983 catalog sizes include, for example, Da 140 mm, Di 72 mm, t 8.0 mm, L0 11.2 mm, illustrating high force in compact envelopes; DIN 6796 conical washers similarly provide standardized bolt‑size‑based dimensions. 
   
  Compression springs (PL/DE focus) 

• Compression spring working principle: Axial force shortens the coil and the force increases approximately linearly within the elastic range defined by EN 13906‑1. 

• Design notes: Use EN 13906‑1 for rate, stress, buckling, and relaxation guidance; reference EN 10270‑1/‑2/‑3 for spring steel and stainless wire callouts in EU documentation. 
• Procurement: For heavy duty compression springs price transparency and OEM compression spring supplier alignment, specify OD/ID, wire, free length, coils, ends, and material when sending a spring quote request or choosing to buy compression springs online. 

Torsion springs (PL/DE focus) 

• Application fit: Torsion spring uses in machines include hinges, lids, grippers, counterbalances, and linkages where controlled angular motion is required. 

• Selection checklist: Define leg orientation, handedness, mandrel diameter, working angle, and torque curve per EN 13906‑3 when asking a torsion spring supplier for precision torsion springs buy options. 

• Rotating force: When the specification asks which spring for rotating force, a torsion spring designed to EN 13906‑3 is the default choice in EU machinery contexts. 
   

 
Disc springs (Belleville) for compact force 

• Standard update: DIN 2093/2092 transitioned to DIN EN 16983 (dimensions, quality) and DIN EN 16984 (calculation), ensuring consistent EU classification into Groups 1–3 by thickness. 

• Disc spring benefits: Very high load in limited space, tunable stiffness via series/parallel stacks, and robust dynamic life when dimensioned correctly per manufacturer guidance. 

• Stacking and guidance: Stack in series to add deflection at constant load or in parallel to add load at constant deflection, and guide stacks on a shaft or in a sleeve to prevent lateral movement. 
   

How to measure a spring 

• Compression: Measure wire diameter, outside diameter, free length, and total coils; ID can be computed by OD − 2×wire, and end type affects active coil count. 

• Torsion: Capture wire, mean diameter, number of coils, leg lengths/angles, handedness, and mandrel, aligned with EN 13906‑3 terms for torque and angle. 

• Disc: Record Da, Di, thickness t, free height L0, and planned stack configuration along EN 16983 dimensional series A/B/C. 
   
   
  Materials and EU compliance 

• Spring material types and uses: EN 13906‑1 references EN 10270‑1/‑2/‑3 for carbon, alloy, and stainless wire, supporting stainless steel spring purchase decisions in corrosive or hygienic environments. 

• Regulatory: Ensure REACH substance disclosures and assess RoHS only when springs are part of EEE assemblies, aligning declarations for EU market placement. 

 
Calculators, life, and validation 

• Sizing: Use a spring calculator online to iterate rate, deflection, and stress, then verify manufacturability and installation constraints. 

• Durability: Apply a spring fatigue life calculator approach that checks stress range and mean stress per standard methods and supplier data for compression and torsion designs. 

Industrial applications across Europe 

• General machinery: Compression coils remain the best spring for load applications where axial energy storage and return strokes are needed per EN 13906‑1. 

• Compact preload: Disc springs suit bolted joints, bearings, clutches, and safety devices, with DIN 6796 conical washers standardized for bolt‑size compatibility. 
   
   
  Buying guide for PL/DE procurement 

• Sourcing modes: Choose wholesale industrial springs for catalog parts and plan bulk spring procurement for drawing‑controlled items with EU material certificates. 

• Speed: Many EU catalogs enable order disc springs online and buy compression springs online, with stock programs that support spring delivery express for maintenance needs. 

• Vendor selection: Shortlist a best spring manufacturer or a specialized torsion spring supplier or disc spring manufacturer that quotes per EN standards and provides test data. 

 
Compression vs torsion 

Disc vs coil (compression) 

 
Poland and Germany Industrial Market 

• Ready to proceed: Send a spring quote request with drawings, target life, annual volumes, and delivery terms to initiate a custom spring fabrication service aligned to EN 13906 and EN 16983/16984. 

• Procurement notes: Specify material to EN 10270 where applicable, confirm REACH disclosures, and request COC plus test data when working with an OEM compression spring supplier in the EU market. 

Let’s Get Your Springs Moving 

Whether you're looking for a one-off stainless steel spring purchase, or preparing a bulk spring procurement, our team is here to help. Submit your spring quote request today and we’ll guide you through every step — from design to delivery. 

 ~ Explore our online catalog 
~ Use our spring calculator online 
~ Get a spring quote request instantly 
~ Talk to a specialist in custom spring fabrication service 
 
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From OEM compression spring supplier needs to precision torsion springs buy options — Vanel.tech is your trusted source for high-performance, durable, and custom-engineered spring solutions.