Today’s outdoor and backyard living enthusiasts treat grilling almost like a religion. They’re not afraid to drop down four-figure amounts on your latest BBQ or smoker grill design idea -- if you can convince them it’s worth the price.

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

After a year-plus of being cooped up indoors due to the coronavirus, both customers and employees have been anxious to spend as much time as possible outdoors. They’d probably enjoy just sprawling anywhere outdoors in public simply because they finally can. However, you'll still want to provide ergonomic furniture and equipment for their long-term health and comfort.

Much like IoT has invaded just about every household, commercial, and industrial device, more and more markets are making use of motion control and lift assist technology. Buyers in a growing number of industries not only appreciate, but also expect motion control to take their product to another level, whether it’s:

When it comes to weight and motion control, developers certainly have their options. Two of the most popular options in high-stress, high-performance applications are gas springs and counterbalance spring hinges. Like with many other competing technologies, there’s a debate over which is the better value.

While some industries have been using motion control solutions for years, other industries could still benefit from modern hinge designs – ceramics being one of them. 

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.

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.

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.