BACKSOLVING (INVERT EQUATION INPUTS AND OUTPUTS)

ODOP:Spring can invert the dependent-independent relationships of design equations for compression spring, extension spring and torsion spring designs. You can enter your spring design problem exactly as specified.

For example, if spring force and deflection at two points are specified, the program can solve the problem without explicitly using spring rate. If spring rate and maximum load are specified, ODOP:Spring will work to a solution without explicitly knowing deflections and lengths. The software can handle any consistent combination of specifications on the problem.

GOAL SEEKING (CONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION)

ODOP:Spring contains a powerful numerical search capability that probes for the specified design until a satisfactory solution is found. The program can seek the constrained extreme of any variable, independent or dependent.

For example, ODOP:Spring can be asked to find the lightest material weight (or lowest spring rate, least solid height, greatest factor of safety, etc.) while maintaining your specified objectives for force-deflection characteristics, stress, diameters, etc. This “goal seeking” capability makes ODOP:Spring a more intuitive coil spring calculator than most options on the market.

RESPONSIVE, BROWSER-BASED OPERATION

The ODOP:Spring software is responsive to multiple devices and runs on most modern web browsers, with no “app” required to be downloaded. It is compatible with the Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS and Linux operating systems as well as many iOS- and Android-based mobile devices.

Responsibility for managing updates to ODOP:Spring lies with the person or organization managing the server. End users will never need to be concerned with installing ODOP software updates on their system.

Calculations required by the software are performed within the browser on the user’s computer. Each time another user starts work, another processor, memory and network connection is added as well. Therefore, each user performs their design activities in a highly responsive environment and those activities do not degrade the responsiveness of other users.

RANGE OF SOLUTIONS AND GOAL RESTRUCTURING

ODOP:Spring quickly probes the range of solutions available within your specified constraints.

For example, ODOP:Spring might deliver a solution with a relatively high stress level in order to minimize weight. You can then ask to see a design that reduces that stress (at some penalty in increased weight, of course), but still meets the goals expressed by the various other constraints on the problem.

If ODOP:Spring determines that your goals cannot be met, a feature is available to guide you in restructuring the design in a way that is most consistent with original objectives.

For example, one or more of the original objectives can be slightly compromised (ex. spring cycle life) in order to maintain the others (ex. outside diameter and solid height).

SAVE AND RECOVERY OF CUSTOM SPRING DESIGNS

ODOP:Spring can save designs into a database (design library) for later recovery. You can save a specific design for detailed comparison with alternatives generated later. Detailed reference information, including names and phone numbers, may be saved with each design.

SUPPORT FOR BOTH U.S. CUSTOMARY AND METRIC UNITS

ODOP:Spring allows for the entering of values – and the receiving of respective design solutions – in either U.S. customary (inches, pounds) units or metric (mm, Newtons) units. This ensures that your spring design is specified for its intended market, whether domestic in the U.S. or international.

MATERIAL TABLES, STANDARD SIZE TABLES AND CATALOGS OF STANDARD DESIGNS

ODOP:Spring contains tables of various spring material properties. The software recalculates allowable stress and factor of safety for each combination of material type and wire size evaluated.

Once you have established a custom design that satisfies the objectives, you can select from a table of standard wire diameters for the selected spring material.

Similarly, a feature is provided to select the closest or otherwise most appropriate design from a catalog of stock designs. The default stock spring catalogs supplied with ODOP:Spring include U.S. Military Standard 24585 (SAE-AS24585) for compression springs and MS24586 (SAE-AS24586) for extension springs.

ONLINE HELP, TUTORIALS AND DEMOS

ODOP maintains its complete user’s manual online. A request for “HELP” will be answered with a list of all the features available and all the specialized topics for which help is available. You can then pursue more detailed answers to your questions.

ODOP:Spring comes with carefully structured lessons to help a new user get started quickly. The tutorial will “re-play” any of several pre-arranged sessions that are designed to illustrate program capabilities and features.

Other sessions illustrate problem-solving techniques, as well as provide sample solutions to several generally available reference-book problems. Detailed comments are embedded to explain the solution process.