Creating door butt hinges

You may want to ask your application question directly to a dc motor manufacturer. You will need to be very specific with respect to travel distance, load and time. Design engineers are able to contact motor manufacturer application engineers through www.motioncontrol.com .

Like a number of posts on this site the terminology may be a bit confusing - perhaps that arises from a difference in terminology in different countries ? That may lead to replies that do not realy answere your question - eg the previous reply re a motor -but I will try and answere what I beleive is your question.

A standard hinge may be said to comprises of a pair of LEAVES terminating at one edge with an interupted rounded portion such that the pair of leaves may be pivotly joined with a HINGE PIN.

One way of forming the edge of each leaf into the "near circle," as youi put it, would be to drive the strip of material towards a ' U ' or ' j ' shaped recesss in a forming die, such that application of force will cause the edge to curl intto ' near circle' shape. Depending on the dimensions involved a bench size press may be sufficient to enable this operation and indeed a hand powered press for forming the curl for a hinge was shown fairly closely in operation in the film 'Schindlers List' and if you can not find any other information on ths subject you probably could do no better than view the video of it.

Stuart Fox

Chairman, Inventors Association Of Australia, NSW Australia

www.inventoz.com sffox@ihug.com.au

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I did see the film and noted the operation;
I think the hinges being made were (supposedly)
much larger than the hinges I have in mind;
however the actual operation was very educational.

I hope to find (source) an automatic "desk top" machine
from a manufacturer; eg something like a key cutting machine,
which are quite easy to obtain.

Many thanks for your help.

jt.

http://www.fastfreeads.com

There is a term engineers use for some wasting their time and money.

It is called: "Re-inventing the Wheel."

My question is why would you want make hinges?

Hinges are made in every material known to man, in every size from 2mm to XX meters.

Also made in thousands of decorative designs.

For use in everything from doll houses to gates on a canal.

Maybe they want a piece of the profitable hinge "action".

Ours is not to reason why; only the how.

To produce prototypes of my patented hinges,
possibly leading to prduction, it would be sensible
to obtain a machine for this relatively simple task.

The expenses required (asked) by most manufacturers
to "mess about" with new types of hinge are prohibitive.
£1,000's have been quoted; IF they will do it, hence the diy.

The challenge also makes life interesting. Where were we...

jt.

http://www.fastfreeads.com

I apologize if I appeared rude, to the contrary:

I design machines that automatically mortise, pre-drill and apply 3-1/2" to 5" hinge plates on doors and jambs so I know the profit margin is there...

Think about how much money is made by the company that manufactures clothes pins or toilet plungers.

My machines go to distributors / lumber yards that assemble the components that results in pre-hung doors with hardware installed, that they sell themselves or to retail outlets (Menard's, 88 Lumber, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) for a handsome profit.

Best of luck in the search for the perfect machine (none are) but make sure they support their product!

Oh, one more thing - unless your product is unique or has a special application, it will be hard to compete with the Chinese. American brokers buy quantity at $0.50 each (approximately) or less...

Yes, I have contacted the Chinese, who are far more
approachable than western companies; however I have
some concerns about losing the originality.

Production may well end up there; very sad.

jt.

http://www.fastfreeads.com

Keep in mind that if you do utilize China for manufacturing, they will duplicate your design and sell it cheaper - to compete with you. No laws to protect your interests.

I doubt you will be able to have a small desktop machine .... 4 mm dia hinge pin would indiacate a fair size hinge ... generally this product would be done in a progressive multi stage die .. your question would give me impression that you do not have much experiance with this type of product ... forming an eye for 4 mm dia using 2 mm material is on the limit ... BATT

I agree with Stuart Fox on the general princple of shaping the eye ... but having manufactured many tools for form products with rolled edges and eyes ... one should preform the first part of the eye ... that is 90 deg or less of the eye ... and then have a cam push a slide with a matching form ... 180 deg of the eye form ... as the cam is pushed against the preformed edge the edge will roll around the 180 deg form in the cam slide and it will roll around to meet the body of the hinge. For larger round eyes in thinner material I use a " w " type of shape where you form two thirds of the roll the way it should be formed and the centre third reversed form ... whenthis form is hit in the centre on the reverse form the two legs that were previosly formed will swing around to meet each other. Good to hear what another aussie had to say ... Batt

Thank you Batt; your description was very helpful.

It has made me think about forming it "on the flat,"
(other than vertical) as you say, with a sliding former.

I firmly believe that it can be done with a small machine;
just need the brains, and help, to figure it out.

Many thanks

jt.

http://www.fastfreeads.com

JT Why are you so set on a " small desktop machine ' ... usally done in a power press and using rolls of strip to process through die ... stamps side crop for pitching ... holes ...side notches ... preforms edge .... rolls eye ... cut off ... approx six stage tool ... say hinge is 75 mm long with cut off 5 mm ... die length would be approx 480 mm long ... not a table top tool ... unless you are going to do it in single stage ops. Send me some details and I will do you a rough layout ... any way what were you going to power this " desk top machine " with . Batt

Thank you for your kind offer Batt.; simply brilliant!

I do not have a lot of space, (and do not wish
to have a power press in the living room.)
Seriously, I do have space in the garage, and
could install a small'ish set up in there, no problem.
(everythings possible.)

My (standard) hinge, as you guessed, is approx.
120mm long by 58 wide (on one side) and 30mm
wide on the other side, after forming the leaf.
(it's a special shape)

I can have the blanks laser cut, - but it would be
nice to stamp them myself, if the machinery is small.

The material will be 1.5-2.0 mm. max. - probably 304 ss.
with a 3-4mm hinge pin. (I elected for 4 as standard size.)

The power was to be a 2+hp electric motor, the max.
useable on a 13amp household socket. (I could use 2.)

I think there is a fighting chance because,
a) my hinge is unique, and b) has a special application.
(Unfortunately I have to make them first! Then sell them!)

Initially I approached several firms; the great well known,
to the small unknown; very few understood my designs.
The few that did offer to help wanted £1,000's for R&D etc.
(The Chinese have not seen my designs)

I was hoping that a very small scale "production" can work,
in that it may assist my pension, and, not be to demanding
on my time. (or my pocket.) If sales became really successful,
then they could be made elsewhere; preferably in the uk.

I would be grateful for any assistance with this Batt, and
thank you for your kind offer of a layout; I really appreciate it.

jt.

http://www.fastfreeads.com

ps.. if you would like to write direct please do Batt.
send to: jt(at)swopzone.com thank you.

(Written like that to prevent email harvestors)