Saving Space with Innovative Heavy Duty Hinge Design

Today’s buyers want more features integrated into their products. They also want something that either doesn't take up a lot of space or uses space in a unique, effective way. So, how does a product designer balance the two?

The right hinge will take care of both of these issues, plus a few more.

Let’s look at how your motion control manufacturer can turn a heavy duty hinge design into a space-saving hinge design -- all while saving you a few bucks.

Using Heavy Duty Hinge Design to Save Space & Costs

When working with mechanical motion control experts, there are several types of heavy duty hinges they may recommend for your project: 

• Counterbalance
• Spring assist
• Concealed

Cost and design benefits in a project that demands support for heavy doors or lids include:

• Save space with a more compact design
• Reduce material costs
• Maintain your vision
• Trim the product’s weight
  

See how motion control can make your product better:

Save Space With A More Compact Design

When it comes to designing products, lightweight, heavy duty hinges are critical components for achieving space savings. 

By utilizing engineering principles such as counterbalancing, springs, and concealed designs, manufacturers can create strong solutions that help save valuable space in a variety of applications: 

• Industrial
• Hospitality
• Outdoor & professional kitchens
• Home appliances

Hinges designed with a space saving, yet heavy duty, approach offer higher strength than traditional designs while providing better support for heavier lids or doors. 

Space-saving hinges also allow for greater flexibility when planning the layout of a product or workspace, allowing for easy reconfiguration if needed. 

Custom solutions are common for most requests made to a hinge manufacturer. Work with a manufacturer that can incorporate any needed counterbalance springs directly into your existing system. 

Building these features into the counterbalance can replace the structure you otherwise might’ve had to engineer without the help of a space saving heavy duty hinge. It makes it that much easier to make a sleeker, more compact design.

Note: Some motion control solutions providers may struggle with these types of features. Do your due diligence before putting your design in the hands of another manufacturer.

Reduce Material Costs

Any time you can get away with using less material, it’s a big win for your project's budget.

Since your hinge manufacturer can build features right into your counterbalance component, you can eliminate parts of your final assembly and save on raw materials. You simply mount it into your device and skip the purchase of additional raw steel or finished components. 

Also, a smaller and lighter product is cheaper to ship, so this is actually a double win (more on that below).

Maintain Your Vision

Complex hinge design can help you better realize your initial vision for the project.

The more compact a counterbalance hinge design is, the more easily you can place it where you’d like. 

Hidden hinges are popular in many product lines that don’t want the bulky, industrial vibe of a hinge getting in the way of aesthetics.

Designs incorporating heavy duty hidden hinges are more discreet and elegant than traditional designs, allowing them to blend more seamlessly with their surroundings. This gives products an overall sleeker and more modern look that can help make them stand out from competitors.

Trim the Product’s Weight

Cut the weight of your design by including more compact, multipurpose components.

A reduction in material use doesn't just translate to saving space, it also means a lightweight hinge and an overall lighter design. A lighter product is easier to move for the consumer and cheaper to ship for the seller.

The use of lightweight materials like aluminum can also reduce weight, although you’ll see reduced impact resistance and potentially corrosion resistance, depending on your other options.

Industrial Lid Support Meets Space-Saving Hinge Designs

Heavy hinge design often requires a custom solution. This is especially true when you’re trying to conserve space because a smaller hinge is often more complicated than a conventional one. 

Plenty of industries and applications can benefit from a manufacturer that adds built-in value to its components. To name a few:

• Grill and smoker lid design
• Medical ergonomics
• Restaurant/bar countertops
• Retail spaces
• Marine exterior and interior design
• Modern kitchen design

By following the standard hinge design guidelines for counterbalancing, you can create even more value -- safety, convenience, and longevity -- in your product. 

Get Advice from a Motion Control Expert

To learn more about these hinge design engineering shortcuts, ask an engineer your design questions directly:

This piece was originally published June 2020 and was recently updated to reflect industry trends.