News

Aftermarket parts such as automotive aftermarket springs for the automotive industry is a complex and demanding business.  Each component has strict tolerances and specifications which must be complied with for a part to function with the whole.  Springs are no different as they are one of the most important parts of a car’s suspension system.
 
If the springs are not manufactured correctly the automobile’s steering, handling and ride could be significantly affected.  Springs connect the car body to the wheels which in turn connect the car to the ground.  They act as energy absorbing devices which allow flexibility in the suspension system.  The stiffness and flexibility of the suspension is an integral part of the car’s ride and handling abilities, and serious accidents could occur if this is comprised.
 
At Barber Spring, we have the abilities to produce quality aftermarket automotive springs to spec.  Springs can be reverse engineered from samples to produce identical products, or the numbers can be crunched to re-engineer the design.  Springs can be used to lower or raise the ride of the car, increase the stiffness for a sportier feel, or allow for a variable/progress rate.
 
Whatever your aftermarket spring needs are, if you are an individual or a distributor, contact Barber Spring to see how we can help you.

We are pleased to announce that Jim Schlegel, formerly of Alco Spring Industries, will be joining Barber Spring effective September 1,2013. Jim brings over 41 years of experience in spring design, quality assurance and field support. Jim is highly regarded throughout the spring industry.
 
The combination of Jim’s knowledge and experience in the spring industry along with Barber’s manufacturing capabilities will provide you with the best customer service, quality, and delivery in the industry. I ask that you give us the opportunity to provide you with a quotation so you can see for yourself the advantages of sourcing with Barber Spring.

Certain engineering applications involve springs that have progressive or variable rates.  Unlike ordinary compression springs which are design to have a linear spring rate, these springs can have multiple rates or a progressively increasing/decreasing spring rate as the spring compresses. One way this can be done by varying the pitch, or the center to center distance between the coils.  By doing this, some of the coils close up faster than the rest of the coils and become ‘inactive’, meaning they no longer absorb the compressive energy resulting from applied forces.  By lessening the amount of active energy absorbing coils, the spring in turn becomes stiffer and the rate increases.  A relatively new way of varying spring rates is by actually varying the material size itself.  By machining different sections of bar to different diameters, and putting tapered transitional sections between the sizes, spring performance can be pushed to new limits.  With this technology, increasingly greater ranges between rates can be obtained.  Springs can even be designed to have a decreased rate as the spring compresses, which is not possible by varying the pitch alone.   The transitions between spring rates can easily be controlled by how the spring is manufactured.  Barber Spring currently has the resources and know-how to design and manufacture both variable pitch and variable bar springs.  Engineers on staff can calculate and design springs to fit any progressive rate requirement you may have.

In this video plant manager Paul Magee discusses a few spring testing procedures which are used in the process of making industrial springs at Barber Spring Company in Pittsburgh, PA. Many of the test are done based of specific customer requirements and each test has a process and procedure that helps to make a quality industrial spring.

At Barber Spring we offer some of the most competitive pricing and top it off with great customer service. Great products are easy to find at Barber Spring, our dedicated customer service team and support is one of the best in the industry. If your looking for high quality hot wound industrial springs give us the opportunity to show you how we can make your springs on time and deliver a truly great product. This brief video is about our competitive pricing and great customer service at Barber Spring.

• Barber Springs Lead Time is one of the fastest in the Industrial Spring Manufacturing Industry, currently our lead time for hot wound industrial springs is at 3 weeks.
• Barber Spring has the ability for quick turnarounds one week or less.
• Barber Spring makes large helical springs over 4” (101 mm) bar diameter.
• Barber Spring builds high-quality Industrial hot wound springs at a competitive price and extend a personalized service to each customer.
• Barber Spring combines modern manufacturing equipment and an extensive material handling capability.
• Barber Spring has a complete inventory of steel for the Industrial, Transit, and Railroad Markets.
• Barber Spring is a Lean Manufacturing Facility.
• Barber Springs has 100 plus years of spring manufacturing expertise.
• Barber Springs has factory direct pricing, global distribution, engineering assistance, and are ISO 9001:2008 and AARM M-1003 Certified.
• Barber Spring has manufacturing capabilities that are among the most unique in the world.
• Barber Spring has Bar diameters range from ½ inch to 4 inch (12 mm to 100 mm), Outside diameters from 1.875 inches to 24 inches (48 mm to 602 mm), Free lengths from 2 inches to 72 inches (50 mm to 1828 mm).
• Barber Spring does non destructive testing, hardness testing, Load testing, Shot Peening, Cycle Testing, Powder Coating, and other Coatings.

Bob Dreher, Sales Manager at Barber Spring talks in this video about his role at the company. Also discussed is Wabtec and the vast resources, representative groups, and global sales force of Wabtec. The importance of customer service is briefly discussed and how competition in the manufacturing of industrial springs is fierce.