Using tension spring as a guiding element

              Although it is designed primary to reserve the tension forces, it can be used as a guiding element in conveying mechanisms and assembly machines. A tension spring has a specific use in open line flow of specific products. With the term open line flow we refer to the transportation of elements in a line where each product is forcing next to move with the aid of an external source like pressure air and gravity in reference with a guide. The tension spring is flexible, it can be rotated, bend and elongated relative to all planes. The guide application uses this advantage.
The product is guided by the side elements, such as rods, sheet metal or plastic flaps and others towards the next process. There are cases where a reject or a different destination for the product must be selected during the guiding. This means that during the guiding function the product must change direction to one or more destination. This change of direction results in a discontinuous guiding of the product from its guiding elements. In the case of the rod this can be avoided by using extension spring(s) between the fixed and the moving (usually rotating) guiding element. The ends of the rods must be modified in order to mount the spring (usually a side cut with a diameter equal to the spring internal diameter is adequate). The external dimension of the spring must be cut (facing) in order to be smooth enough (prevent injuries of the product). This is a very specific solution, but it is very useful because of its low cost and preparation time.