Motion Control Engineering & Manufacturing Resources

When it comes to manufacturing BBQ smokers, proper hinge design is vital. Smoker lids are often extremely heavy, which can make them a safety hazard. 

The user experience for a product with a heavy lid or cover can range from awkward to annoying to downright dangerous.

Picture holding an industrial toolbox lid in place while reaching in one-handed, maybe twisting your back in the process. Or what if it comes down suddenly when your arm or fingers are in the way? The bruises won't be pretty, and the damage might be much worse.

This is why many designers add gas spring lid supports to their lid design. Others lean toward using counterbalance spring mechanisms or other mechanical spring solutions.

As a kid, you might have marveled at the flip-up bar countertop at your parents’ favorite restaurant. But a lot has changed since then, and bar lift gates have improved significantly. 

Getting the right hinge for your commercial or industrial product relies on having a trusted and reliable hinge manufacturer. So it might be a good time to talk about cellular manufacturing. 

There are many ways to make something go from point A to point B. Not all of them are great long-term solutions.

Product improvement and differentiation should be a priority for anyone involved with an ongoing project.

One of the best ways to do that? Do something the other guys don’t have the knowhow or big-picture vision to do.

Have you ever looked at your grill design and thought “I wish this lid wasn’t so heavy, and didn’t slam whenever I let go?” 

You might as well just call RVs "tiny houses on wheels." After all, while they present a luxury camping solution, it goes without saying that space is at a premium. 

If you want to design a product with a heavy lid or door, it’s useful to research how engineers have solved similar problems with other products.

The outdoor kitchen is quickly becoming a popular addition to the modern home. Where homeowners used to simply flip burgers, they’re now adding smokers, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, sinks, wine coolers, and more to their outdoor setup.