The 2024 trade show trail calls our name again, and it's taking us to Chicago.

A library-goer checks out a book or other piece of physical media.

Raise your hand if you’d love to be uncomfortable at your workstation because of its furnishings and equipment. 

… 

Nothing can put a damper on a workday – and productivity – than having office equipment that makes it a job to find some level of comfort while using. Another way: we’ve all sat in that chair that is impossible to find a good position in or at that desk that’s the wrong height, and we all avoid using them again.

Editor's Note: This piece is an installment of an occasional series that looks at metalworking and fabrication services offered by Weber Knapp.

Inspecting several high-end refrigerators quickly reveals the widespread use of hidden hinges in premium models. As the name suggests, these hinges are invisible to the casual glance and therefore create a more seamless look in the kitchen.

Your heavy countertop has created some problems. 

Sore wrists. A stiff neck. A tired back. 

Spend any amount of time working on an office computer with a keyboard that’s just not positioned correctly, and you’ll likely walk away feeling some discomfort. 

If your office or classroom is spending a good portion of its day sitting at a desk and working on a computer, you probably already know how important it is to promote correct office ergonomics. A healthy work lifestyle reduces back, neck, and eye strain, as well as the risk of desk job-related injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Editor's Note: This piece is an installment of an occasional series that looks at metalworking and fabrication services offered by Weber Knapp.

As we continue on this year’s trade show circuit, we have two more events to add to our Q1 travel list. 

Improving stability.

Upgrading performance. 

Enhancing safety. 

These are just a few of the reasons a design engineer might find themselves calculating the center of gravity for any object. 

In the world of hinge design, this calculation can be used for someone as simple as keeping a lid, door, or cover from slamming into something -- or someone.

Designing a no-slam hinge doesn’t just keep your customers safer, it also keeps you protected … from lawsuits. On a lighter note (pun intended), a steady open/close also improves ease of use for customers.

Finding the center of gravity in objects isn’t always easy; not all objects are perfect circles or simply symmetrical. In fact, most aren’t, and calculating their center of gravity takes a certain level of skill – something an experienced heavy-duty hinge manufacturer possesses. 

In this article, we’ll look at three ways (in order of decreasing difficulty) for how to find the center of gravity of an irregular object. Can't wait? Click on any one of the ways to jump to the corresponding section: 

• The Easy Way
• The Easier Way
• The Easiest Way!