US company Purdy Engineering contacted Singapore-based John While Solutions (JWSL), a Lesjöfors company, to develop and manufacture volute springs for a space vessel. The smooth spring development process resulted in a satisfied customer and high performance springs in space.
The American space industry is still very active, but is transforming from government sponsorship to being entrepreneurially driven. One of the most well-known space projects is Falcon 9 that in June took two astronauts to the International Space Station. It was the first rocket ever designed and manufactured by a privately held company, Space X.
Another player in developing the American space engineering business is Bill Purdy with Purdy Engineering. Purdy has worked in the space industry for decades with system engineering innovations and troubleshooting in many space projects. In July 2020, he contacted JWSL for a request regarding volute springs in stainless steel for a space vessel in progress. Many discussions took place regarding dimensions, force and spring design that would fit in the assembly constraints.
Making springs for space vessels is not an everyday task for JWSL, so the staff found it quite exciting. The technical engineers did their utmost with even further quality improvements on the springs that were beyond the customer request. The smooth developing process resulted in the manufacture of 40 prototype springs that JWSL has now shipped to Maryland, America.
Roy Loh, vice president of spring technology Asia explained: “We got the response that JWSL was the most responsive company to the request and that it was just as easy to work with a company in Singapore as it is to have the supplier next door. We are very happy to contribute with our knowledge and capability to such an exotic business for us.”
