<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MVH6VT4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">

Motion Control Engineering & Manufacturing Resources

Weber Knapp Blog

How to Use a Counterbalance Hinge for Pivoting Loads

Posted by Weber Knapp on May 20, 2022 8:13:00 AM

If you want to design a product with a heavy lid or door, it’s useful to research how engineers have solved similar problems with other products.

Read More

Topics: Motion Control, Counterbalance Hinge, Hinges, Lid, Springloaded

Vectis™ Technology Spring Assist Hinge

Posted by Weber Knapp on Feb 8, 2022 3:00:27 PM

Ever wonder how cryogenic freezers, tanning beds, and other heavy-duty lids open safely despite weighing 50 to 100+ lbs.? The answer: spring-assisted or spring-loaded hinges.

Read More

Topics: Springloaded, Vectis, Manufacturing

3 Features of Heavy-Duty Spring-Assisted Hinges in Product Design

Posted by Weber Knapp on Sep 27, 2021 10:13:33 AM

When designing industrial-grade, heavyweight products, factoring in motion control is crucial to both the product’s longevity and the end user’s safety. When used correctly, gas, spring-assisted, and counterbalance hinges significantly reduce the risk of injuries that can result in insurance claims or liability issues.  

Read More

Topics: Motion Control, Design, Hinges, Springloaded

3 Types of Heavy-Duty Hinges: Essential Traits of Spring-Loaded Hinges

Posted by Weber Knapp on Sep 7, 2021 11:46:00 AM

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.

Read More

Topics: Motion Control, Gas Springs, Counterbalance Hinge, Hinges, Industrial, Lid Support, Springloaded, Vectis

Top 8 Spring-Assist Hinge Applications for Product Design

Posted by Weber Knapp on Feb 17, 2021 7:45:00 AM

Picking the right hinge for the right application can often seem like a difficult puzzle. You have to consider the cycle life, environment, and cost, which can often leave you at a standstill. 

But, there’s one hinge option that balances all three factors to provide a reliable and cost-effective hinge solution: spring-assist hinges. 

Read More

Topics: Applications, Motion Control, Engineering, Hinges, Springloaded

Vectis™ Imagined Applications

Posted by Leila Bell on Apr 28, 2017 9:18:28 AM

If you’ve been following our blog you’re already familiar with Vectis™ Springloaded Counterbalanced Hinges and what they can offer but, maybe you still aren’t sure what applications they can really be used for or, maybe you’re just landing on our website and getting to know Vectis™. So, in the spirit of sharing our counterbalance knowledge, we’ve tasked our very creative Design Engineers with imagining an application using Vectis™ Hinges and bringing that application to “life” in order to show you some of the countless applications these counterbalance hinges can be used on. Following you’ll find four applications that are perfect for Vectis™ hinges as imagined by our engineering thinkers, dreamers, and inventors:

The Dresser with a Hidden Surprise

Read More

Topics: Motion Control, Appliance, Counterbalance, Counterbalance Hinge, Draw Bridge, Engineering, Hinges, Industrial, Lid Support, Push Cart, Springloaded, Vectis, Hospitality Furniture

HPBExpo - What a Show!

Posted by Leila Bell on Mar 15, 2017 11:06:07 AM


The Vectis™ team traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the 2017 Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Associations HPBExpo – North America’s largest indoor-outdoor living showcase.

Read More

Topics: Ergonomics, Motion Control, Appliance, Counterbalance, Engineering, Grill, Hestan, High End Grill, Hinge, Hinges, Industrial, Lid, Lid Support, Smoker, Smoker Grill, Springloaded, Uncategorized, Vectis

Vectis™ - Effects of Vertical Distance to the Center of Gravity

Posted by Leila Bell on Oct 28, 2016 4:43:41 PM


So, you’ve decided that a springloaded counterbalance hinge is the ideal way to take your project to the next level. And, you already know that a Vectis™ Counterbalance Hinge can address your specific design challenges and that a Vectis™ counterbalance hinge will outperform and out last a gas spring. But, what technical considerations do you need to make before you click the DYO tab?


To help prepare you for your visit to the DYO app, over the next several months we’ll be discussing some of the technical decisions you’ll need to make in order to design the perfect counterbalance for your project. This month we’re going to discuss the effects of vertical distance to the center of gravity and what that could mean in regard to the ultimate function of your project.


The vertical distance to the center of gravity can have a big impact on how your lid acts near the open position. The greater the positive vertical distance the greater the tendency for the lid to self-open at larger open angles. Conversely, a negative vertical distance allows the lid to be potentially counterbalanced up to the maximum 90° opening angle. If you do not want the lid to coast open at larger angles, consider reducing the maximum opening angle to something close to the balance angle of the lid. The balance angle is the angle of the lid at which the center of gravity is directly above the pivot. If you are looking at the torque chart on the Vectis® DYO app, the balance angle is the point where the lid torque drops to zero.


For applications where the vertical distance to the center of gravity is sizeable, a large opening angle is required, and minimal coast towards the full open position is desired, rest assured that we can meet your needs with a Vectis® Counterbalance Hinge or a Vectis™ Custom Counterbalance.


vectis-blog-3

If you’re having trouble specifying a Vectis™ Counterbalance Hinge for your project, give us a call, our engineers are ready to assist you!


Jeremy Redlecki

Product Design Manager

and

Leila Bell

Business Develop Manager

Weber Knapp Company

Read More

Topics: Ergonomics, Motion Control, Appliance, Center of Gravity, Counterbalance, Engineering, High End Grill, Hinge, Hinges, Industrial, Lid Support, Smoker Grill, Springloaded, Uncategorized, Vectis, Medical Equipment