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    Gas Springs: Applications Across Key Industries, Part 2

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Mar 27, 2025 9:15:00 AM

    Gas Springs: Applications Across Key Industries – Part 2

    In Part 1 of our two-part series on gas spring applications, we explored their use in ground transportation for automobiles, trucks, and RVs. If you missed it, you can read Part 1 here.

    In this post, we’re diving into gas springs' role beyond ground transportation, highlighting their versatility, durability, and ergonomic benefits across multiple industries. Gas springs provide controlled motion, reduce manual effort, and enhance safety, making them essential for lifting, lowering, and positioning components in various environments.

    Industrial Machinery

    Gas springs play a crucial role in industrial machinery, improving safety, efficiency, and ergonomics. They assist in the smooth operation of machine guards, access panels, and adjustable workstations, reducing strain on operators and ensuring reliable mechanical functionality.

    Common industrial applications include:

    ✔️ Machine guards and access panels
    ✔️ Adjustable workstation components
    ✔️ Safety covers and lids
    ✔️ Counterbalancing mechanisms
    ✔️ Conveyor system applications

    Medical Equipment

    In medical environments, gas springs allow for smooth, controlled adjustments, improving patient comfort and operational efficiency. They make hospital beds, examination tables, and patient lift arms easier to adjust, enhancing safety and ergonomics for both caregivers and patients.

    Common medical applications include:

    ✔️ Hospital bed height and tilt adjustment
    ✔️ Examination table positioning
    ✔️ Overhead surgical lighting supports
    ✔️ Wheelchair reclining mechanisms
    ✔️ Adjustable patient lift arms

    Aircraft & Aerospace

    Aerospace applications demand precision, durability, and lightweight components. Gas springs support overhead storage bins, seat adjustments, access panels, and emergency exit systems, ensuring smooth, reliable operation in confined and high-performance environments.

    Key aerospace applications include:

    ✔️ Overhead bin supports
    ✔️ Reclining seats and tray table adjustments
    ✔️ Access panels and maintenance doors
    ✔️ Landing gear maintenance access
    ✔️ Emergency exit assist systems

    Marine Applications

    Gas springs enhance convenience and durability in marine environments, where corrosion resistance and reliability are critical. They provide smooth operation for hatch lifts, engine covers, and storage compartments, making boating and watercraft maintenance easier.

    Common marine applications include:

    ✔️ Hatch lifts
    ✔️ Engine cover supports
    ✔️ Seating adjustment mechanisms
    ✔️ Storage compartment lids
    ✔️ Boarding ladder assists

    DIY Homeowner Projects

    Homeowners and DIY enthusiasts use gas springs to improve accessibility, functionality, and ease of use in custom furniture, storage solutions, and space-saving designs. Their straightforward installation makes them a popular choice for a variety of household applications.

    Popular DIY uses include:

    ✔️ Kitchen cabinet lift assists
    ✔️ Murphy beds
    ✔️ Fold-down desks
    ✔️ Garage storage lifts
    ✔️ Outdoor storage box lids
    ✔️ Custom furniture applications

    Find the Right Gas Spring for Your Application

    Austin Hardware is a trusted provider of gas springs across multiple industries. Our Genesis™ Gas Springs are recognized for their quality, reliability, and durability. We offer a wide inventory with quick availability, ensuring you get the components you need when you need them.

    Need help finding the right gas spring? Use our Genesis Gas Springs Part Finder to determine your application's perfect size and force!

    📞 Contact us today to learn more about how our Genesis™ Gas Springs can improve your operations.

     

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, Genesis™

    Gas Springs: Applications Across Key Industries, Part 1

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Feb 26, 2025 9:30:00 AM

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, Genesis™

    Maximize Functionality and Efficiency with Drawer Slides and Front Drawer Release Systems

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Jan 8, 2025 10:30:00 AM

    Maximize Functionality and Efficiency with Drawer Slides and Front Drawer Release Systems

    Introduction

    Drawer slides are essential components of any storage system, yet they are often overlooked despite their importance. They enable smooth and reliable drawer movement, making it easy to access tools, equipment, and supplies. Modern drawer slides are designed for various applications and are available in a wide range of weight capacities, lengths, and designs to meet diverse needs.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, drawer slides, fdr

    Essential Industrial Hardware in the Renewable Energy Industry

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Nov 6, 2024 10:00:00 AM

    Essential Industrial Hardware in the Renewable Energy Industry

    The renewable energy industry is booming, with wind, solar, hydro, and biomass energy leading toward a sustainable future. Behind the scenes, various industrial hardware components play critical roles in ensuring these systems function efficiently and safely. In this post, we’ll explore how industrial hardware components are being used to support renewable energy systems.

    Locks and latches are essential for safeguarding the equipment and enclosures in renewable energy installations. In solar power plants, locks secure control boxes, inverters, and junction boxes, preventing unauthorized access to critical systems. Wind turbines, which house complex and expensive machinery in their nacelles (the box at the top of the tower), use latches to ensure secure access to maintenance doors and panels. These mechanisms protect equipment from vandalism and unauthorized tampering, ensuring the operational integrity of the renewable system.

    Maintenance teams need frequent access to sensitive equipment in solar arrays, wind turbines, and hydropower facilities. Handles are indispensable to access panels, doors, and control boxes. These handles are often designed with ergonomic features, allowing maintenance personnel to open enclosures quickly and safely. In wind turbines, for example, the nacelle and tower may include secure handles on access doors, providing a safe entry point for technicians working at significant heights.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, adhesives,sealants,chemicals, Renewable Energy

    Overview of the Agricultural Heavy Equipment Industry in 2024

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Oct 21, 2024 10:00:00 AM

    Agricultural Heavy Equipment Industry Update

    The agricultural heavy equipment industry in 2024 is facing challenges and growth opportunities shaped by evolving market conditions and technological advancements.

    The market for new equipment is mixed. While some OEMs express cautious optimism, driven by a resilient agricultural economy and technological advancements, there is also concern about declining sales. Nearly 48% of dealers have forecasted a decrease in new equipment revenues for 2024.

    Conversely, the demand for used equipment, especially high-horsepower tractors, remains strong. Inventory levels have significantly increased, with values continuing to rise year-over-year. However, dealers report that inventory shortages persist, and auction activity has slowed, suggesting that OEMs need to offer better financing options to stimulate sales.

    Supply chain disruptions and fluctuating commodity prices remain factors that impact the availability and cost of agricultural equipment. Manufacturers remain optimistic that the industry will successfully navigate these challenges.

    The big picture is clear: The industry is adapting through innovation while managing economic pressures and fluctuating demand. Technological advancements focusing on improving efficiency, sustainability, and data integration are the drivers.

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    Topics: Insider, Austin Engineered Solutions™, adhesives,sealants,chemicals, Ag

    The Top 5 Ways Bus and Motorcoach Manufacturers are trying to improve passenger comfort.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Sep 5, 2024 10:51:39 AM

    The Top 5 Ways Bus and Motorcoach Manufacturers are trying to improve passenger comfort.

    In 2024, bus and motorcoach manufacturers have begun focusing on several innovative strategies to enhance passenger comfort. Here’s a look at the top 5 ways they’re doing just that.

    1. 1. One of the foremost areas being addressed is more comfortable seating. Manufacturers are taking advantage of advanced technologies by installing seats that are more ergonomic and adjustable. Specific features that have become standards that increase passenger comfort include seats that allow for increased legroom, adjustable lumbar support, and the ability to recline. Heated and cooled seats, and seats with massage functions are also becoming prevalent, though they are still considered premium upgrades and are not yet standard for most manufacturers.
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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, adhesives,sealants,chemicals, Bus & Motorcoach

    Stop Galvanic Corrosion in its Tracks.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Aug 22, 2024 10:30:00 AM

    When two different types of metals are joined together, a process called electrolysis—also known as galvanic corrosion—can occur. Electrolysis happens when two dissimilar metals are directly connected, causing the lesser of the two metals to corrode. The two metals must also come into contact with a conductive electrolyte for the process to occur. Ultimately, this can damage the joint, causing the metals to fail.

    Several factors contribute to electrolysis when joining dissimilar metals, including differences in electrical potential, composition, and exposure to moisture or other corrosive substances. Let's take a closer look at each of these factors and how they can impact the durability of the joint.

    Electrical Potential

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, eck

    Trends in the Enclosures Manufacturing Market

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Aug 20, 2024 10:30:00 AM

    The enclosure manufacturing market trends indicate a dynamic shift towards more advanced, flexible, and sustainable solutions that cater to evolving industrial needs and technological advancements. Innovations in materials science are also leading to the development of lighter yet more robust and durable enclosures.

    Enclosure manufacturing processes are becoming more automated to be more efficient, efficient, and precise. Robotics are used for welding, assembly, and quality control, leading to faster production cycles and reduced labor costs. They’re also expanding their global footprint to access new markets and optimize their supply chains. This includes establishing manufacturing facilities in strategic locations and forming partnerships with suppliers and distributors worldwide.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™

    The Importance of Testing and Quality Control for Rivets.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Jul 22, 2024 12:04:47 PM

    The Importance of Testing and Quality Control for Rivets

    The importance of working with rivet manufacturers whose testing and quality assurance programs meet regulatory requirements to produce certified rivets cannot be overstated. A structure or equipment's performance will be only as reliable and safe as the rivets that hold it together. Rivet manufacturers must adhere to rigorous testing protocols and quality standards to guarantee that their rivets will perform as expected.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, fasteners, Blind Rivets

    The Importance of Proper Ventilation in Marine Vessels.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Jul 10, 2024 11:50:47 AM

    Just like land-based vehicles such as truck bodies, cargo vans, and trailers, marine vessels require proper ventilation to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of occupants, the longevity of equipment, and the avoidance of degradation of certain cargo.

    Here is a brief look at the critical role proper ventilation systems play in marine vessels.

    For starters, ventilation systems provide fresh air and maintain an appropriate temperature for crew and passengers on board. They also reduce the levels of carbon dioxide and other contaminants.

    Preventing the spoilage of perishable goods on board is also important. Proper ventilation controls temperature and humidity levels to avoid spoilage and loss of cargo value. As important as that may be, it may be one of the less significant roles of proper ventilation on a marine vessel. Consider the transport of hazardous materials. Adequate ventilation is essential to prevent the accumulation of dangerous fumes and gases and to ensure the ship and its crew remain safe.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™