Disc Springs: Stacking in Series & Parallel

The combination of both series and parallel stacking is a means of multiplying both force and deflection. The guidelines applicable to this type of arrangement are basically those already outlined, but it cannot be over-emphasised that it is important, at the disc spring selection stage, to minimise the number of springs in the stack by way of examining the various alternatives.

E.G. A disc spring that requires a force of 5000N to deflect 1mm, when assembled to form a column consisting of 3 disc springs in parallel, and 10 units of 3 parallel discs in series - (total 30 discs), will result in a force requirement of 15900N to deflect the stack 10mm - (incorporating an allowance of +6% for friction).