In classical physics, a spring is seen as a device that stores potential energy, specifically elastic potential energy. Back in the 17th century the British physicist Robert Hooke developed what was to become known as Hooke's law of elasticity. This states that the extension of an elastic rod (its distended length minus its relaxed length) is linearly proportional to its tension, the force used to stretch it. Similarly, the contraction (negative extension) is proportional to the compression (negative tension). All spring forms adhere to this law, however it is the linear accuracy of the relationship between the compression or extension to the force applied, that separates the traditional wire wound spring from the machined spring. As the name suggests, the product is machined from a single piece of bar stock material rather than coiling wire. Due to the geometry of the machined coil, the spring rate is extremely linear in compression and extension. In fact spring rate tolerance can be as good as +/-1% if required.
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