Tensile performance of 3D-printed helical springs

This study investigates the tensile performance of 3D-printed helical springs through experiments, numerical simulations, and analytical methods, optimized with an optimization algorithm. Rapid fabrication of specimens using additive manufacturing technology is followed by tensile experiments to obtain load–displacement curves and stiffness. Analytical and numerical models predict the tensile performance, with Liu’s model exhibiting the highest accuracy. Research indicates that it is highly necessary to consider geometric nonlinear effects when predicting the tensile performance of helical springs. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is applied to maximize tension stiffness and minimize weight, considering four key geometrical parameters as design variables.