Motion Control Engineering & Manufacturing Resources

When trying to include an innovative or safety-minded motion control design in your product, there’s a sneaky-confusing word you should know: torque. 

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.

Prototypes validate designs. Just as -- or possibly more -- important, they validate designs before they go into production.

So you’ve read up on the benefits of ergonomic office products. You’ve heard rave reviews about the top ergonomic office chairs, ergonomic computer solutions (i.e. advanced keyboard mechanisms and adjustable monitor arms), and desktop components for training desks. 

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.

Product makers who want to take their design to another level have more motion control options than ever.

Off-the-shelf solutions don’t fit every design. To improve user experience, resolve a safety issue, or stand out from competitors, everything you put into your product design should fit like a glove.

There are many reasons a design engineer would want to calculate center of gravity. One of the big ones? Keeping your lid, door, or cover from slamming into something -- or someone.

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

Motion and perceived quality are closely linked. When a lid, cover, or door moves smoothly with just the “right” amount of effort, users can tell it's a high quality product.