Provides the design and strength check calculation of Belleville springs. These springs are used for carrying great loads while having a small deflection. They are used in singles or in sets. The sets have the following mountings:

Stacking in parallel (the springs are successively mounted)
Stacking in series (the springs are reversely mounted)
Stacking in series and parallel (sets of successively mounted springs are assembled reversely)

In the Design tab, select a spring type or a spring set, and specify the Belleville spring placement.

Use the Calculation tab to calculate a strength check of single springs or spring sets with a specified type of mounting for a specified load or deflection.

The friction in a set is not considered in the calculation. Its value can reach from 3 to 5% of the load for each layer. It increases the force during loading and decreases the force during relieving.

TipSee the Engineer's Handbook for calculation formulas for designing Belleville springs.

Procedures

Design Belleville springs

Insert stand-alone spring

On the ribbon, click Design tabSpring panel Belleville.
On the Design tab:
- On the Dimensions group box, select the spring from the Spring Type pull-down list. Select the appropriate standard and type of spring.
- Select the spring size from the Use the Single-disk Spring Dimensions pull-down list.
- On the Placement area, click Axis and Start Reference to place the spring.
- Use the graphical preview to move the spring along the selected axis or change the size of the spring using the graphical arrows.
Click OK to insert a spring to the Autodesk Inventor assembly. The spring is inserted in the unloaded state as the default. To change it, specify the working height value in the Placement group box.

NoteYou can switch to the Calculation tab to perform a calculation and strength check. Click Calculate.

Insert set of springs

On the ribbon, click Design tab Spring panel Belleville.
On the Design tab:
- On the Dimensions group box, select the spring from the Spring Type pull-down list. Select the appropriate standard and type of spring.
- Select the spring size from the Single-disk Spring Dimensions pull-down list.
- On the Placement group box, click Axis and Start reference to place the spring.
- Use the graphical preview to move the spring along the selected axis or change the size of the spring using the graphical arrows.
- Check the Spring Set box to initialize the spring set.
- Click the appropriate spring set type (parallel, series, combined). Select the Series option.
- Use the graphical preview to change the number of springs in a set.
Click OK to insert a spring set to the Autodesk Inventor assembly.

NoteYou can switch to the Calculation tab to perform a calculation and strength check. Click Calculate.

Calculate Belleville springs

On the ribbon, click Design tab Spring panel Belleville.
On the Design tab:
- On the Dimensions group box, select the spring from the Spring Type pull-down list. Select the appropriate standard and type of spring.
- Select the spring size from the Single-disk Spring Dimensions pull-down list.
- On the Placement group box, click Axis and Start reference to place the spring.
Switch to the Calculation tab:
- On the Type of Strength Calculation area, select the type of calculation from the pull-down list.
  Note: The displayed options change depending on whether you selected a stand-alone spring or a spring set. To determine the options, check or clear the Spring Set option on the Design tab.
- Enter the calculation values. You can change the values and units directly in the edit fields.
Click Calculate to perform the calculation.
The calculation results are displayed in the Results area. The inputs that fail the calculation are displayed in red (their value doesn't correspond with other inserted values or calculation criteria). The description of unsatisfactory results is displayed in the Summary of Messages area which is displayed after clicking the chevron in the right lower part of the Calculation tab.
If the calculated values are satisfactory, click OK.

Edit springs using Belleville Spring Generator

Open the Autodesk Inventor assembly with the already inserted Design Accelerator Belleville spring.
Select the Belleville spring, right-click and select the Edit Using Design Accelerator command.
Edit the Belleville spring. You can change the type of the spring, change the standard, specify different placement and change the size of the spring. If you changed calculation values, click Calculate to see the strength check. The calculation results are displayed in the Results area. Reports of the calculation are displayed in the Summary of Messages area.
Click OK.

References

Belleville Spring Generator - Design tab

Sets parameters for the design of a Belleville spring.

Access:

Ribbon: Design tab

Spring panel

Belleville

Dimensions

Use this section to specify a type of spring and single-disk spring dimensions.

Spring Type	Click the down arrow to display a dialog box where you can select the standard of designed spring (ANSI, DIN, or CSN). If you do not specify a standard, all spring types are displayed. According to your standard selection, the springs are loaded to the calculation and a list of allowable springs is displayed in the Single-disk Spring Dimensions pull-down menu.
Single-disk Spring Dimensions	Displays the list of allowable spring dimensions. The list depends on the selected spring type.
	Click to open the dialog box where you can edit the spring dimensions or add your own dimensions.

Spring Set

Check the box to specify the spring set options.

Stacking in Parallel	The springs are mounted successively.
Stacking in Series	The springs are mounted reversely.
Stacking in Series and Parallel	Sets of successively mounted springs assembled reversely.
Number of Springs in Series	Enter the number of springs in series. This edit field is disabled if you select Stacking in Parallel option.
Number of Springs in Parallel	Enter the number of springs in parallel. This edit field is disabled if you select Stacking in Series option.

Placement

Specify a placement option and the type of spring loaded state.

NoteWhen the full placement is specified, the graphical preview with appropriate dimensions and spring type is created.

Axis	Selects cylindrical face or axis.
Start Reference	Specifies face or work plane.
	Changes the orientation of the Belleville spring.
Mate	Check the box to mate Belleville spring in the assembly.
Single-disk Installed Height	Unloaded State single-disk height is equal to unloaded height of the spring.
	Loaded State single-disk height is equal to unloaded height of the spring minus deflection of one disk.
	Custom State single-disk height is set by user.
Height	Enter or measure the working height.

Summary of Messages

Displays the reports about calculation. To open the Summary of Messages area at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line at the bottom of tabs or click the chevron at the bottom of the tabs.

Graphical Preview

A graphical preview of the selected geometry is displayed in Autodesk Inventor. You can use grips to specify Belleville spring parameters.

Stand-alone spring

1. Use the grip to move the spring along its axis. Double-click the grip to edit the value.

2. Use the grip to change spring size based on outside diameter.

Spring set parallel

1. Use the grip to move the spring along its axis. Double-click the grip to edit the value.

2. Use the grip to change spring size based on outside diameter.

3. Use the grip to change the number of springs in parallel.

Spring set in series

1. Use the grip to move the spring along its axis. Double-click the grip to edit the value.

2. Use the grip to change spring size based on outside diameter.

3. Use the grip to change the number of springs in series.

Spring set in series and parallel

1. Use the grip to move the spring along its axis. Double-click the grip to edit the value.

2. Use the grip to change spring size based on outside diameter.

3. Use the grip to change the number of springs in series.

4. Use the grip to change the number of springs in parallel.

Toolbar commands

Belleville Spring Generator - Calculation tab

Sets parameters for calculation of a Belleville spring. You can calculate data based on selections made in the Design tab.

Access:

Ribbon: Design tab

Spring panel

Belleville

and click the Calculation tab.

Type of Strength Calculation

Use the pull-down list to select the type of strength calculation. The displayed options change depending on whether you selected stand-alone spring or a spring set in the Design tab. To determine the options, check or clear the Spring Set option in the Design tab.

Calculation of Force for a Spring	Stand-alone spring only. Calculates the spring force for the specified spring deflection.
Calculation of Spring Deflection	Stand-alone spring only. Calculates the spring deflection for the specified loading force.
Design of Set for Specified Loading Force	Spring set only. Calculates the spring deflection for the specified loading force.
Design of Set for Specified Stroke	Spring set only. Calculates the spring set for the specified stroke of set.
Calculation of Set Deflection	Spring set only. Calculates the spring set deflection for the specified loading force.
Calculation of Force for a Spring Set	Spring set only. Calculates the spring set force for the specified set deflection.

Spring Selection

Options for spring selection are enabled only if you checked the Spring Set box in the Design tab.

Manual Spring Selection

Specifies spring type and dimensions manually.

Loads

Enter the spring loading force value.

Dimensions

Enter the spring dimensions.

Washer Deflection	Option available for stand-alone spring only. (Clear the Spring Set box in the Design tab.) Actuates in the spring axis and makes spring depression.
Allowable Set Stroke	Option available for spring set only. (Check the Spring Set box in the Design tab.) Enter allowable set stroke value.
Total Set Deflection	Option available for spring set only. (Check the Spring Set box in the Design tab).
Allowable Spring Deflection	Ratio of the deflection of 1 spring and spring height. Click to open a dialog box which displays the range of recommended values of a spring deflection.
Dimension field	Select a Belleville spring dimension from pull-down list (outside diameter x Inside Diameter x width x height).

Belleville Washer Material

Select the spring material and its properties. Click to open the Material Database where you can select the appropriate material.

Warning: Strength parameters of material are determined empirically and reflect minimum values applicable for a group of materials. Although these values are close to the values obtained using measurement of particular materials, we recommend in cases of final calculations to use the parameters of material according to the material sheet or specifications of the producer.

Material	Specifies material values you enter or select from the Material Database.
	If a material is selected from the Material Database, its values are inserted automatically into the following edit fields, and the edit fields are locked. To unlock the field, clear the box.
Modulus of elasticity	Enter the modulus of elasticity of the spring material.
Poisson's ratio	Enter the Poisson's ratio values of the spring material.

(More)

Displays additional options for spring calculation. To display More Options, click More in the right lower corner of the Calculation tab.

Set Parameters
Options are available only if you check the Spring Set box in the Design tab, select the Design of Set for Specified Stroke or Design of Set for Specified Loading Force options in the pull-down list in the Type of Strength Calculation area.

Height of Set is not Limited	Designs a spring set with unlimited height.
Min. Height of Unloaded Set is Specified	Specifies minimum height of unloaded set for the designed spring set.
Max. Height of Unloaded Set is Specified	Specifies maximum height of unloaded set for the designed spring set.
Allowable Range of Set Height is Specified	Specifies allowable range of unloaded set height for the designed spring set.
Spring Parameters
Options are available only if you check the Spring Set box in the Design tab, selected the Design of Set for Specified Stroke or Design of Set for Specified Loading Force options in the pull-down list in the Type of Strength Calculation area, and select the Automatic Selection option in the Spring Selection area of the Calculation tab.
Spring Dimensions are not Limited	Dimensions of designed spring are not limited.
Min. Inside Spring Diameter Specified	Selects a spring with inner diameter larger or equal to the Dmin minimum allowable value when designing a set.
Max. Outer Spring Diameter Specified	Selects a spring with outer diameter smaller or equal to the Dmax maximum allowable value when designing a set.
Required Force for Set
Options are available only if you check the Spring Set box in the Design tab and select the Design of Set for Specified Stroke option in the pull-down list in the Type of Strength Calculation area of the Calculation tab.
Force Value Not Limited	Designs a spring set with unlimited force value.
Allowable Deflection of Set is Specified	Required deflection value of the set is specified for the designed spring set.
Required Set Deflection
Options are available only if you check the Spring Set box in the Design tab and selected the Design of Set for Specified Loading Force option in the pull-down list in the Type of Strength Calculation area of the Calculation tab.
Deflection Value Not Limited	Designs a spring set with unlimited deflection value.
Allowable Deflection of Set is Specified	Required deflection value of the set is specified for the designed spring set.

Results

To display the Results area on the right side of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line on the right or click the chevron.

Displays the calculated dimensions values such as spring stress. Click Calculate to display the values. The units of the results values can be changed. Double-click the specified value you want to change.

Following output parameters are displayed in the Results pane (the list vary if you design a stand-alone spring or a spring set, and on the selected Type of Strength Calculation in the Calculation tab):

Spring Parameters Results
- Washer Deflection (s)
- Deflection of One Washer (s) (for spring series)
- Force at Max. Spring Deflection (F_max)
- Force Exerted by Washer (F)
- Max. Spring Stress (s)
Spring Set Parameters Results
- Number of Springs in Parallel (n_p)
- Number of Springs in Set (n)
- Height of Unloaded Set (L₀)
- Height of Loaded Set (L)
- Force of a Spring Set (F)
- Force at Max. Spring Deflection (F_max)

NoteFor further description of the calculated parameters, see Engineer's Handbook

Summary of Messages

Toolbar Commands

Recommended Values of Allowable Spring Deflection

Displays the range of recommended values of a spring deflection. The range of recommended values is accented by a blue line. Selected values are transferred into the calculation.

Access:

Ribbon: Design tab

Spring panel

Belleville

and click the Calculation tab. Click

next to the Allowable Spring Deflection edit field.

OK	Confirm the selection and close the dialog box.
Cancel	Closes the dialog box.
Static Loaded Spring, Fatigue Loaded Spring	Click to select the type of loading.

Belleville Spring Dimensions

Use this dialog box to modify the existing spring values or add new spring sizes.

Access:

Ribbon: Design tab

Spring panel

Belleville

and click the Design tab. Click

in the Dimensions group box.

NoteThe list of springs depends on the selected standard in the Spring Type list.

	Add You can add a new spring size.
	Remove You can remove the existing spring size.
	Reverts all changes Deletes all changes created and reverts to original data.

Click the Add icon to insert new spring size. Enter all required values for new spring size.

The following table lists the data displayed for each spring size:

Name	Spring dimension
D [in], [mm]	Outside Diameter
d [in], [mm]	Inside Diameter
t [in], [mm]	Material Thickness
H [in], [mm]	Unloaded Height

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Belleville Spring Component Generator

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