Weber Knapp Blog

Today’s buyers want more features built into their products. They also want designs that either don’t take up much space or use space in a smarter way. So how does a product designer balance both?

A stiff neck, sore back, or aching wrists after a long day at your desk isn’t just annoying; it’s a warning sign. With more people working in front of screens than ever before, the health risks of poor workstation habits are on the rise. The key is applying OSHA ergonomic guidelines – simple adjustments that protect employees' bodies, keep them comfortable, and help them perform at their best.

When you walk into a hospital, it’s easy to notice the advanced medical equipment, high-tech monitors, and life-saving devices. Just as important, though often overlooked, are the chairs, tables, cabinets, and beds that fill each room.

Think about the products you use every day. The ones that work best usually feel simple, even if there’s a lot of engineering behind them. That’s the idea behind user experience (UX): how people interact with something and how easy it is to get the result they want.

Hospitality design is a nonstop balancing act between visual appeal and practical usability.

When designing for a bar counter, restaurant, and bar owners must envision a workspace that not only looks inviting to customers, but also allows staff to operate safely and efficiently. Consider that it’s a busy, high-touch environment, where every inch counts – smooth movement behind the bar is critical.

When you're in the process of a product design or retrofitting an existing one, hinges might seem like a small detail. But choosing the right hinge material can make or break the performance, longevity, and total cost of your design.

If you're heading to the doctor's or the lab for blood work, you want to make sure that the location you're visiting is reliable and with someone you can trust. The same can also be said about phlebotomy equipment, such as the blood draw table – it's more than just a surface, it's the frontline of patient care and technician efficiency.

Some lids close gently. Others seem to wait until your hand is nearby, then drop like a trap. 

When it comes to ergonomics and computer screens, it’s all in how you look at them. One thing is beyond dispute: If you want an ergonomic workstation setup at the office or in a university setting, there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to do it.

Off-the-shelf solutions don’t always cut it – especially when your application requires safety or ergonomic motion and performance beyond a standard hinge. If you’re trying to support a heavy lid, conveyor drawbridge or enclosure cover, a custom hinge built with motion control in mind is the best fit.

A properly engineered counterbalance hinge can make an 80-pound lid feel like a light 2-pounds when lifting. It’s not magic though – it's precision mechanical engineering using counterbalance spring design principles.