Custom OEM Motion Control
Custom Friction Hinge Design and Manufacturing for OEMs
We engineer hold-anywhere friction and position-control hinges to your torque, space and cycle-life targets, then build them in Mansfield, Ohio.
- Torque curve tuned to your panel weight and motion arc
- Prototyped and cycle-life tested in house before tooling
- Program runs from 5,000 to 5,000,000+ parts
Family owned since 1939. Over 250,000 motion control components shipped weekly.
Prefer to talk? Call 419.524.1300
Request a friction hinge quote
Tell us about your application. An engineer will review your requirements and follow up.
Why OEMs bring friction hinge problems to us
Holds where you set it
Friction and torque-controlled hinges stay put anywhere along the motion arc, so panels and doors do not drift or drop.
Built to your torque curve
We design the torque profile around your panel weight, geometry and the feel you want the user to get.
Proven before tooling
We build and test prototypes in house, including cycle life and torque measurement across the arc, before a tool is cut.
One supplier, start to finish
Design, tooling, stamping, spring making, assembly, inspection and delivery all happen under our roof in Ohio.
Any program size
No catalog minimums. We run specialty programs of 5,000 units and high-volume programs past 5,000,000.
Made in the USA
Domestic Ohio production means faster design changes, less supply risk and easier in-person tooling reviews.
Friction and position-control hinges, engineered to spec
We do not sell hinges from a catalog. Every friction hinge we make is designed for one application, one torque requirement and one target unit cost. That is how you get a hinge that fits your space envelope and feels right every time it moves.
Our engineers have been solving hinging and motion control problems since 1939. We apply known design patterns to your new application, so development starts ahead instead of from a blank page.
- Friction and torque-controlled hinges that hold any position along the arc
- Detent hinges that stop and hold at set angles
- Adjustable torque profiles matched to panel weight and geometry
- Concealed, pivot, continuous (piano) and four-bar hinge types
- Counterbalances, lift assists and gas-spring alternatives
- Soft-close and damped-motion closure mechanisms
- Cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, aluminum, spring steel and specialty alloys
- Progressive die stamping, sheet metal fabrication, spring making and assembly in house
What happens after you send your RFQ
We review your application
Share drawings, panel weight, motion arc, torque targets and volumes. Our engineers study the requirement and ask what is missing.
We design and prototype
You get a design concept, then in-house prototypes tested for torque across the arc, hold at angle and cycle life.
We tool up and produce
Tool design, pre-production qualification and first-article inspection come before full production and release-based shipping.
Frequently asked questions
How is a friction hinge priced?
Every program is quoted on its own. Price depends on design complexity, materials, tolerances, production volume and tooling needs. Send your specs and we will put real numbers against them.
Is there a minimum order?
No. We do not apply catalog minimums because every part is custom engineered. Programs range from 5,000 units to more than 5,000,000.
Can you make the torque adjustable or tuned to our panel?
Yes. We design the torque curve around your panel weight, geometry and motion arc, and validate it with torque and force measurement on prototypes before tooling.
Do you sell single hinges or replacement parts?
No. We are a B2B manufacturer for OEMs. We do not sell off-the-shelf hardware, retail parts or repair hinges for homeowners.
Our current hinge supplier is going away. Can you take over?
Yes. We handle production transitions, including tooling transfer and qualification, first-article inspection and validation against the original supplier's specs, keeping form, fit and function.
Where do you manufacture and who do you ship to?
We manufacture in Mansfield, Ohio and ship to OEM customers across North America, Europe and Asia.
Get your friction hinge engineered right
Send your drawings, torque targets and volumes. An engineer will review them and come back with a plan and pricing. Call 419.524.1300 or email sales@mansfieldec.com.
- Torque curve tuned to your panel weight and motion arc
- Prototyped and cycle-life tested in house before tooling
- Program runs from 5,000 to 5,000,000+ parts
Prefer to talk? Call 419.524.1300