Weber Knapp Blog

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.

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. 

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.

Heavy-duty gas spring hinges may be currently installed on your product. However, now the hinge is malfunctioning because the strength of the gas spring has weakened over the lifespan of your product.

Modern product design is heavily influenced by motion control. Many of today’s flashy or high-end products take advantage of innovative hinge mechanism design to stand out from the crowd.

Driving down a country road, you’re probably going to see more small hotels and motels than huge chains. Even around major cities, new small hotel room design ideas are trending left and right.

The most durable and versatile products can turn out to be intimidating to the user if the wrong type of heavy-duty hinges are used. Ask anyone that lifts heavy lids all day -- spring-assisted hinges are necessary for the safety and efficiency of your entire staff.

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

Gas springs and their close cousins are abundant in many industries and applications. From overhead bins in airplanes, and from cargo doors to armored vehicle doors, gas springs have a variety of applications.