www.magazine-industry-usa.com
16
'09
Written on Modified on
Southco
COUNTERBALANCED HINGES PROVIDE FINGERTIP CONVENIENCE FOR LIFTING/POSITIONING
A new line of standard Southco® ST-12C Counterbalanced Hinges provides consistent, high-torque performance in a compact package, to enable equipment operators to lift and position hinged components with less effort. Ease of movement and no-slip positioning allow intuitive operation of display screens, doors, access panels, and other movable components in consumer, medical equipment, transportation, and industrial machinery applications.
Multiple options for counterbalancing torque, plus the ability to imbed the hinges within product housings, offer product designers desirable options in terms of both aesthetics and physical performance relative to other existing hardware. The counterbalance design requires less effort to move heavier objects as compared to friction-only hinges. And unlike gas struts that can also infringe on sleek exterior designs or partially obstruct access to enclosures, performance is not compromised by temperature or extended use over time. The ST-12C constant-torque design – specified to stay within +20% of rated torque for 20,000 cycles of operation – provides consistent long-term performance, without need for maintenance or adjustment.
An integral counterbalancing spring provides for lifting assistance in one direction to minimise the weight felt by the user. Four torque values (20-, 28-, 36-, and 44in. lbf) are available to accommodate objects of varying size and weight. Each hinge also includes Southco’s constant torque technology to hold the hinged component steady in any desired resting position throughout the complete range of hinge motion. By combining both lifting and positioning properties in the same unit, these hinges eliminate the need for a secondary mechanical device to hold an object in place.
Hinges are installed in mirror-image pairs, and can be designated to ship with the mounting housing and the adapter in one of four possible starting positions. Each hinge provides +/- 90 degrees of rotation in each direction for a full 180 degrees range of motion. These options enable designers to satisfy a variety of mounting and positioning angles.
Southco ST-12C hinges feature durable all-metal construction, and are available in a natural finish. Each hinge is rated for a maximum static radial load of 1,000 N and for a maximum static axial load of 1,200 N.
An integral counterbalancing spring provides for lifting assistance in one direction to minimise the weight felt by the user. Four torque values (20-, 28-, 36-, and 44in. lbf) are available to accommodate objects of varying size and weight. Each hinge also includes Southco’s constant torque technology to hold the hinged component steady in any desired resting position throughout the complete range of hinge motion. By combining both lifting and positioning properties in the same unit, these hinges eliminate the need for a secondary mechanical device to hold an object in place.
Hinges are installed in mirror-image pairs, and can be designated to ship with the mounting housing and the adapter in one of four possible starting positions. Each hinge provides +/- 90 degrees of rotation in each direction for a full 180 degrees range of motion. These options enable designers to satisfy a variety of mounting and positioning angles.
Southco ST-12C hinges feature durable all-metal construction, and are available in a natural finish. Each hinge is rated for a maximum static radial load of 1,000 N and for a maximum static axial load of 1,200 N.
