Vectis Technology Fueled Heavy-Duty Hinges

When you’re dealing with heavy-duty hinges, the design can get complicated. But with motion control engineering, developing complex hinges isn’t an exhaustive task.

Vectis Technology is a culmination of our engineering teams’ creative thinking, relentless research and development, and disciplined procedures. The goal was to make motion control engineering and counterbalance mechanism engineering accessible and easy to use for all. 

We believe that whenever a challenge arises, thinking outside the box yields the greatest results. Vectis Technology is a representation of our years of empirical knowledge and our desire to go beyond to provide the ultimate solution to your intricate mechanical challenges.

But, how does it work?

Designing Heavy-Duty Hinges with Vectis Technology

Our team of experts recognized the challenge of designing heavy-duty hinges and sought to create an easy-to-use, easy to understand, design application that was fully customizable to your specifications. 

Enter the Vectis DYO Calculator. 

Utilizing proprietary design software, the Vectis DYO calculator allows a user to input their required dimensions and design specific hinge(s) for their next job. Following these five steps, any engineer or designer will be able to set specific hinge parameters for their next job: 

(Download the full Vectis DYO guide here) 

1. Figure out Your Starting Specs

Begin by plugging in the three critical parameters of the load to be counterbalanced:

• Lid weight 
• Horizontal distance from the lid center of gravity to the hinge pivot axis
• Vertical distance from the lid center of gravity to the hinge pivot axis
  
  

2. Pick a Vectis Hinge

Select the model of Vectis and the quantity desired. Use the slide bar variables to obtain the optimum torque curve and fine-tune the open and close feel.

3. Determine How Many Hinges You Need

You should weigh several factors when deciding on the number of hinges for each lid. These include mounting considerations — for example if your hinges must support the middle of an unusually long lid. Very large lids can require several Vectis hinges to counterbalance that weight.

4. Try out the Counterbalancing Action You Want

The orange Spring Torque Curve line on the app’s graph represents the spring-based opening torque applied by your hinges. By inputting or adjusting a few additional parameters on the app, you can position the orange line above, on, or below the black line at different angles. This helps you control the amount of spring-based torque that’ll be applied at each angle. The lighter orange lines give you an idea of the controlled friction band built into your hinge. This friction helps hold your load in place. In areas where the black lid torque line is between the light orange lines, the lid or load will stay put.

Remember: All inputs are interactive. Changing one value in the app may alter or limit other values.

5. Designate the Built-In Open Stop Angle

In the Lid “open stop” Angle input box, simply type in the open stop angle desired. You can instead specify an open stop angle between 45° and 90°. Variable A and B represent geometry that’ll be permanently cut into the internal linkage of your hinges. The spring settings dictate the initial spring adjustment made at the factory. The unique result of these three numbers tailors the hinge to your needs. The result is reflected on the orange Spring Torque Curve line.

Designing the Perfect Hinge? We’re Here to Help

Designing the perfect hinge can get confusing and take time. Our team of engineers are excited to answer any motion-control or Vectis DYO app questions you may have. 

Click below to contact our team of experts: