The CA counterbalance hinge has been developed for a wider industrial audience, following what the company describes as “huge success in several bespoke projects”. The latest addition to Southco’s line of position control hinges, the CA Counterbalance Hinge design features an integrated spring system that enables heavy lids to be lifted and positioned with minimal operating effort. By reducing the level of exertion required, this grants end users full control over the range of motion of heavy objects, such as industrial lids and panels.
Counterbalance hinges present many performance advantages over gas springs, the most widely used alternative in applications that require repetitive heavy lifting. The new Southco hinge is based on a mechanical hinge, making it inherently more reliable. In contrast, gas springs are less predictable, carrying increased potential for gas leaks, spontaneous failure and issues around seal components,” stated the company.
“Counterbalance hinges offer greater design flexibility in the form of a more compact design, allowing them to be positioned more freely than their gas spring equivalents. Unlike gas springs, they can also be adjusted to meet the unique demands of the application. In certain industries where hygiene is critical, particularly in medical and food, this reduced footprint allows for easier access for cleaning, addressing concerns around cleanliness.”
Global product manager Todd Schwanger added: “Southco hinges are subject to extensive testing, minimising the need for maintenance and downtime by guaranteeing a minimum lifecycle of at least 20k cycles of operation.”
