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Motion Control Engineering & Manufacturing Resources

Weber Knapp Blog

Gas Spring Replacements & Alternatives: A Safer, Longer-Lasting Option

Posted by Weber Knapp on Jul 29, 2025 8:30:00 AM

Some lids close gently. Others seem to wait until your hand is nearby, then drop like a trap. 

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Topics: Applications, Motion Control, Gas Springs, Hinges, Manufacturing

How to Build a Custom Hinge With the Vectis App

Posted by Weber Knapp on Jul 25, 2025 12:00:00 PM

Off-the-shelf solutions don’t always cut it – especially when your application requires safety or ergonomic motion and performance beyond a standard hinge. If you’re trying to support a heavy lid, conveyor drawbridge or enclosure cover, a custom hinge built with motion control in mind is the best fit.

A properly engineered counterbalance hinge can make an 80-pound lid feel like a light 2-pounds when lifting. It’s not magic though – it's precision mechanical engineering using counterbalance spring design principles.

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Topics: Counterbalances, Motion Control, Center of Gravity, Engineering, Vectis

Motion Control System Design: Improving Accessibility

Posted by Weber Knapp on Jun 18, 2025 10:45:00 AM

Motion control system design affects how people interact with products in everyday settings. If motion feels smooth and natural, users barely notice it. If it feels heavy or awkward, the design becomes a frustration.

That moment of resistance – lifting a lid, moving a panel, opening a door – can shape someone’s entire experience with the equipment. Poor usability often signals deeper design issues that limit performance.

Engineers focused on motion control system design consider more than just movement. They think about safety, repeatability, and long-term function.

When done well, this kind of design supports a safer, more efficient environment without calling attention to itself.

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Topics: Motion Control, Hinges, Industrial, Manufacturing

How to Choose a Lift Gate Stop for Top-Down Indoor Applications

Posted by Weber Knapp on May 1, 2025 8:48:34 AM

It's not the flashiest part of your setup. It’s not what your customers will notice first. But when a lift gate stop fails, everyone notices.

Think about a gate slamming down in the middle of a busy lunch rush, sending a shock through the counter — and through your team. It’s a dangerous disruption that’s completely preventable.

The lift gate stop may be a small component, but its impact on safety, surface protection, and smooth operation is anything but minor. In busy commercial kitchens, sleek retail counters, and sensitive lab environments, this single piece of hardware helps prevent slamming, preserves finishes, and ensures your lift gate closes exactly as it should — every time.

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Topics: Applications, Motion Control, Counterbalance, Hinges, Lid Support, Durability, Aesthetics, Food Industry, kitchen, hospitality

Ergonomic Furniture Design Backed by ANSI/BIFMA Standards

Posted by Weber Knapp on May 1, 2025 7:45:00 AM

Gone are the days when office furniture was simply about desks and chairs. 

Today, ergonomic furniture design plays a pivotal role in the health, happiness, and productivity of your workforce. If your current setup leaves employees hunched, strained, or uncomfortable, you’re likely paying for it — in lost productivity, increased sick days, and higher turnover. But how can you be sure your office equipment actually supports ergonomic principles?

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Topics: Ergonomics, Motion Control, office equipment

Keeping Your Lift Hinge in Top Shape: A Maintenance Guide

Posted by Weber Knapp on Apr 30, 2025 10:00:00 AM

In a busy bar or restaurant kitchen, your equipment works just as hard as your staff. The lift hinge is no exception. Skip the upkeep, and you're asking for downtime, injuries, or hardware failure.

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Topics: Motion Control, Counterbalance Hinge, hospitality

Avoiding Ergonomic Workplace Hazards (Before They Hurt Productivity)

Posted by Weber Knapp on Apr 4, 2025 11:00:00 AM

Nothing derails productivity faster than uncomfortable office equipment. Most of us have experienced it firsthand: chairs that never quite feel right, desks at awkward heights, and keyboards that strain your wrists within minutes. Although these issues may look minor, they’re real ergonomic workplace hazards that can lead to chronic discomfort, reduced focus, and long-term employee dissatisfaction.

But solving ergonomic issues in the workplace takes more than Googling “ergonomic chair.” Office managers need to know how to spot bad ergonomic products and what makes a product truly ergonomic before investing.

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Topics: Ergonomics, Motion Control, Push Cart, office equipment, OSHA

Vectis Technology: Making Heavy-Duty Hinges Work for You

Posted by Weber Knapp on Mar 19, 2025 11:45:00 AM

Imagine lifting a heavy lid or panel with ease – no sudden drops, no awkward resistance, just smooth, controlled motion. Heavy-duty hinges make that possible, but designing them to handle weight, movement, and durability requires precision.

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Topics: Applications, Motion Control, Lid Support, Vectis

Meeting the 2025 Supply Chain With a Motion Control Manufacturer

Posted by Weber Knapp on Dec 30, 2024 12:00:00 PM

Think about the last project you took the lead on.

Did you run into issues getting the parts you needed?

Were there moments when communication felt like a struggle – maybe because of time zone differences or language barriers?

And how about those frustrating shipping delays?

These challenges are all part of navigating the 2025 supply chain. For manufacturers, it’s all about having the right materials and components ready to keep things moving. Failure to do so stalls production, leading to delays and added costs.

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Topics: Motion Control, Counterbalance Hinge, Hinges

Maximizing Space: 5 RV Design Ideas

Posted by Weber Knapp on Aug 20, 2024 2:00:00 PM

RVs could easily be dubbed "tiny houses on wheels." While they offer a touch of luxury for your camping adventures, it's no secret that space is limited.

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Topics: Counterbalances, Ergonomics, Motion Control, Design, Aesthetics