Motion Control Engineering & Manufacturing Resources

From the retractable keyboard tray you use at work, to the industrial refrigerator door in the restaurant kitchen and the bar pass-through at the diner where you got breakfast today, hinges are a part of everyday life. They also factor into the various tasks at work and the product design of new must-haves for today’s society. 

No one wants to have a heavy lid come down on their hand while they are focused on completing a project. Likewise, no one wants to see someone else injured when there are hinges available to help avoid these accidents. 

Thanks to the growing advancements and popularity of CNC machining, today's manufacturing process has become more streamlined and efficient than ever.

Choosing the right motion control solution can involve some tricky elements. When it’s time to understand the type of counterbalance or spring-assist hinge you need and the best way to move forward with the installation, it helps to have a visual guide as a resource. The Vectis pages provide both written content and videos that do everything from explaining how a Vectis hinge can be a better choice than a gas hinge to how to install and adjust the hinge solution you choose. 

Sunshine and warmer temperatures mean outdoor cooking is on the agenda. However, your backyard might not be up to the task of hosting your coworkers, your group of close friends, or your book club for a nice dinner. 

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 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.

Does the lid of that grill, smoker, or barbecue pit you designed fly backward or slam shut unexpectedly? Blame the cheap hinges!

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. 

Today’s work environment is changing, and innovative ergonomic solutions are important to remember no matter where your workspace is located.