oncealed hinge
Hinges for Cabinets are everywhere in our daily life and they are critical in keeping our kitchen cabinets, cupboards or wardrobes working properly. They come in various types, finishes, and different features. However their production process is similar.
In this post, we will walk you through the materials used to make hinges and the complete process of hinge manufacturing, so that you know what to look for when sourcing for hinges.
The material used to make cabinet, kitchen, and wardrobe hinges determine their design and application. The same material will also be the basis on which finishes will be used.
Thanks to its durability and flexibility, steel is often used as the base material for hinges. While stainless steel is often used in large hinges for security reasons, it is also used in small ones, such as in cabinets, wardrobes, and small boxes.
Bronze is easy to form and is common in small hinges. This metal also has a reddish color, making it ideal for decorative hinges.
Brass gives off a yellowish gold shade, which makes it a suitable material for decorative hinges. It is also easy to form, so it is ideal for custom hinges. Brass is commonly used in cabinet hinges, wardrobe hinges, and cupboard hinges.
Plastic hinges are often found in small cabinets and doors for kit boxes and cupboards. Most manufacturers use a combination of polypropylene and nylon to make the material stronger. These hinges are mainly used as decorations as they come in different sizes, colors, and designs.
As small as hinges are, their manufacturing process involves a series of steps. Each of these steps ensures that the hinges are sleek, sturdy, and will function effectively according to their purpose. This time, let’s take a look at how hinges are made.
There are two main stages of manufacturing hinges. These mainly involve the deforming and forming of the metal workpiece into the hinge component.
In general, hinge manufacturing involves a certain degree of thermal treatment. The material is heated first in a smelting unit or industrial oven to make it more moldable. Heating or melting the forming material makes it easier to form into various shapes and change its chemical composition.
The next stage includes machining methods that either flatten, stamp, deform, or cut the metal into the hinge component. There are 4 machining processes used to make hinge components.
Casting
Casting is one of the most used machining methods in manufacturing hinges. During the process, the metal is melted and put into a mold so it can solidify into the determined form. After casting, finishing treatments are done to improve the aesthetic features of the hinge component.
Extrusion
Extrusion is another machining technique that uses high pressure to force the metal against a specially shaped die. Hinges that are extruded are usually thicker and stronger than stamped hinges, making them more expensive.
Deformation
Casting is one of the most used machining methods in manufacturing hinges. During the process, the metal is melted and put into a mold so it can solidify into the determined form. After casting, finishing treatments are done to improve the aesthetic features of the hinge component.
Cutting
The cutting process involves removing extra material from the workpiece to form it into the hinge component. This can be achieved through shearing, sawing, shrilling, cutting, and other advanced methods, such as waterjet and laser cutting.
After the main stages of hinge production, there are several secondary processes that involve treatment for protection against wear and deterioration. For instance, every time a hinge is used, some of its metal is worn away. Because of this, some manufacturers decide to assemble hinge parts with ball bearings in the middle of each joint. These bearings enable a smoother movement of the hinges.
Finishing processes, such as smoothing, burnishing, polishing, and painting can enhance the aesthetic value of hinges. Meanwhile, rust-proofing can help in ensuring that the hinges will have a longer lifespan.
This guide provides basic, yet essential knowledge of hinges, including their materials and how they are made. We hope you get some ideas on how to select the best hinges for your furniture from this post!
RMG is a cabinet hinge supplier with more than 10 years’ experience. Check out the different furniture hardware we offer, including corner cabinet hinges, soft close hinges, and more. We also supply different drawer slides, such as under-mount metal slides and telescopic extension slides. If you need more information on bulk cabinet hinges, please contact us and we’ll be more than happy to assist you!
RMGHardware is a professional cabinet hinge manufacturer who works closely with various well-known furniture brands, check out our blogs for tips and tricks around furniture hardware! Or contact us if you need help with sourcing hinges.