While embedded torque engines can get pricey as budgets tighten, designers can still add resistance to their panels without stretching their funding too thin. Meet the T6, Southco’s new friction hinge built for any budget.

Friction and torque hinges have been used to add resistance to panels for decades, and come with several benefits. Their resistance makes the panel easier to position, makes lighter materials feel heavier, and keeps users safe by preventing panels from quickly swinging open or slamming shut. However, these benefits have historically come at a significantly higher price compared to free-swinging hinges.

While Southco leads the industry in torque hinge technology with the industry-standard E6 class, we want to open up these benefits to any designer on any budget. That’s why we made the T6 Friction Hinge. Instead of a complicated torque engine embedded in the hinge, we use precision stamping construction that tightly wraps the hinge knuckles around the pin, providing enough friction to remove play from the hinge without grinding or preventing movement.

This process greatly reduces manufacturing costs, and we pass those savings on to designers so they can access the quality feel of a friction hinge. They also keep the benefits of stainless-steel construction, making the T6 Friction Hinge suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

“The T6 Friction Hinge offers a more cost-efficient solution, and the stainless-steel material offers corrosion resistance and aesthetic benefits,” said Southco Product Manager Stewart Beck. “Its stamped construction helps keep the price down for all designers, while the added friction solves the play issues without the need for a high-end positioning control hinge.”