Industrial Garage Door Torsion Spring

Oil tempered springs
Oil tempered wire is the most popular wire and has been used for decades to manufacture torsion and extension garage door springs. Oil tempered wire uses a high carbon steel rod that goes through a special heat treatment process to give it the ideal properties for garage door springs. There are two types of oil tempered wire: Class 1 and Class 2. The garage door industry uses Class 2 which has a higher tinsel range.

Hard drawn springs
Hard drawn springs go through a similar process as oil tempered springs, but with fewer steps and no heat (known as a cold drawn process). They are pulled through progressive dyes until they reach the desired diameter. Many of the extension springs used today are hard-drawn springs.

Galvanized springs
Galvanized springs were introduced to the garage door industry in the mid-1980s. Galvanized springs go through a process where a zinc coating is applied to the surface. They are manufactured from hard-drawn wire. Due to the zinc coating on the springs, they are a better choice when in corrosive environments.

Square wire springs
Square wire is used in the manufacturing of garage door torsion springs and allows for greater energy storage in a smaller area.

The Inner Workings of Your Industrial Garage Door Torsion Spring

If you take a moment to really get a look at the mechanism behind your industrial garage door torsion spring, then you’ll notice that there are a lot of components at work. While there are some variations between industrial garage door torsion spring mechanisms, industrial garage door torsion spring tracks and torsion springs are amongst the most common components.

industrial garage door torsion spring and industrial garage door torsion spring tracks play important roles in the opening and closing mechanism of your industrial garage door torsion spring. Most industrial garage door torsion springs have two tracks, that are in place to house the rollers, which glide across the tracks as the door opens and closes.

In many industrial garage door torsion springs, you’ll find torsion springs located at the top of the door opening. The springs are very tightly wound and provide the force that’s required to lift your industrial garage door torsion spring. By generating torque, the springs keep the door balanced, so the weight of the door is easy to manage. When you open the door, the springs release tension, and the rollers glide easily across the tracks.

Each component is very important in the overall function of your industrial garage door torsion spring, but they can’t operate the door alone. For a industrial garage door torsion spring to function correctly both the springs and track need to be in good condition, but problems with either of these components can impact the function of the other.

How To Choose The Right Industrial Garage Door Torsion Spring

Wire size
To determine the thickness of the wire, the distance between 10 and 20 of the coils to the nearest 1/16 of an inch needs to be measured. Keep in mind that you should never touch a spring when it’s on the bars above the door. Once the measurement is determined our team will compare it to an online industrial garage door torsion spring chart to determine the wire size.

Inside diameter
This measurement will ensure the spring fits in the space and can produce a sufficient amount of torque. In many cases, the inside diameter (in inches) is indicated on the stationary cone located between the two springs above the door. Otherwise, the inside diameter can be measured by hand after the spring has been safely removed from the door by a professional.

Overall length
The total length of a industrial garage door torsion spring from end to end determines its winding capacity. In other words, if you have an undersized spring, it won’t be able to lift the door. Note that it’s not possible to accurately measure the length of a spring when the garage door is open, even partially.

Wind direction
Most newer garage doors have two industrial garage door torsion springs, each of which must turn in a certain direction to lift and lower the door. industrial garage door torsion springs are wound either clockwise (left-wind) or counter-clockwise (right-wind). However, when you look at the door from inside the garage, the left-wound spring will typically be on the right and vice versa.

STEP 1: DETERMINE THE WIND DIRECTION OF THE SPRING
Look at the end of the spring to determine the wind direction. If the end of the spring points in the clockwise direction it is left-wound and if the end of the spring points in the counter-clockwise direction, it is right-wound. On most springs, wind direction is also indicated by the color of the winding cones and cable drums — red indicates a right-wound spring while black indicates a left-wound spring.
STEP 2: MEASURE THE SPRING’S WIRE SIZE
Measure the length of ten or twenty coils of the spring that needs to be replaced, using inches. Then compare that measurement to the industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial garage door torsion spring chart below to determine the correct wire size. These measurements come from the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association, an international organization that provides standardized sizing for industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial garage door torsion spring wire.
STEP 3: MEASURE THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE WIRE
For industrial industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial garage door torsion springs, measure the inside diameter to the 1/16” of an inch.
STEP 4: MEASURE THE OVERALL LENGTH OF THE

Industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial industrial garage door industrial garage door torsion spring industrial garage door torsion spring
Measure the overall length of the spring to the nearest quarter inch.

Principles of Industrial Garage Door Torsion Spring
Primary Function: Torsion springs are used in garage door systems to counterbalance the door’s weight. This means the springs make the door light enough for a person or a garage door opener to lift it easily.

Location and Setup: These springs are typically mounted horizontally above the garage door opening. When the door is closed, the springs are wound tightly, storing mechanical energy. This energy is what helps lift the door when it’s opened.

Operation: As the door is opened, either manually or by an automatic opener, the torsion springs unwind, releasing the stored energy. This energy assists in lifting the door by reducing its effective weight. Conversely, when the door is closed, the springs wind up again, storing energy for the next opening cycle.

Spring Lifespan: Torsion springs are rated by cycles, with one cycle being a single opening and closing of the door. The lifespan of a torsion spring can vary, but they typically last for several thousand cycles.

Different Types and Sizes: There are various sizes and types of torsion springs to match different garage door weights and sizes. Selecting the correct spring is crucial for the balance and proper functioning of the door.

How to Make Your Industrial Garage Door Torsion Spring Last Longer

Lubrication: Ensuring your industrial garage door torsion spring are lubricated with the right product is essential to keeping them in the best shape possible and extending their lifespan. Lubrication has two huge benefits. It provides a shield against moisture and salts that cause rust and helps reduce friction and heat when the springs are in use.

Using white lithium or silicone lubrication sprays on your industrial garage door torsion spring. These sprays leave a thick coat of grease on the springs.We believe lubricating your springs twice yearly with white lithium or silicone-based spray will keep them protected from the elements and operating at their best.

Sing a lubricant you already have in your garage may sound much more convenient, like WD-40. Despite its versatility, WD-40 is not a good lubricant for industrial garage door torsion spring because it actually dries them out, which can cause added friction that can make them break sooner than they should.

Balance: Keeping your garage door properly balanced will make a massive difference in the lifespan of your industrial garage door torsion spring. An off-balance garage door can force the springs to stretch far beyond their capacity.

Regularly scheduled maintenance: It will help ensure your industrial garage door torsion spring last as long as possible. Annual maintenance combined with your own 6-month preventative maintenance is the recommended schedule.