No more banging! Are you looking for a premium hardware solution that enhances accessibility, safety, and smooth operation for your lift-up countertops, bar passages, or reception desk flaps? Look no further than SWS Hardware's range of Lift-Assist Damper system!

This innovative, precision-engineered hardware is a game-changer for both commercial and residential applications, offering an exceptional blend of features that make daily use easier and safer for everyone.

What is a lift-assist damper

A lift-assist damper is a mechanical device designed to lift heavy doors, lids, hatches, flaps, and hood, and then gently control its movement back down. 

It performs two main functions:

1. Lift-Assist:  Using a compressed mechanical spring, the lift-assist feature helps to reduce the physical effort of lifting heavy panels.
2. Dampening (Soft-Close): A built-in damper provides resistance to slow the movement of the object as it closes, preventing it from slamming shut.

Key Features That Redefine Convenience and Safety:

• Effortless Lift-Assist Function: The powerful lift-assist mechanism makes opening heavy panels a breeze. This is a crucial accessibility hardware feature, providing significant help for children, the elderly, and those with disabilities, ensuring light and easy operation every single time.
• Ultimate Safety with Soft-Close Damper: Say goodbye to jarring slams and pinched fingers! The integrated soft-close damper ensures the panel descends slowly and silently, protecting both the hardware and, more importantly, hands and fingers from being trapped. This is perfect for a reception desk in schools, care homes, offices, and other areas where you will want to protect the heads of younger people, fingers of the elderly and the ease-of-access for the disabled. It's the ultimate quiet hardware for peace of mind.
• Early-Engagement Soft-Close: Unlike other systems, the intelligent damper function engages at low angles. The panel does not need to be fully opened before the soft-close feature activates, providing gentle closing action from the moment you begin to close it.
• Reliable 95° Stopper: An integrated angle stopper holds the panel securely open at a full 95 degrees, offering clear, unobstructed passage and preventing over-rotation that could damage the hinge or the surrounding structure.
• Easy Retrofit Installation: The system's surface-mounted design is a huge advantage. It allows for quick and easy retrofit into existing countertops, meaning you can upgrade your current setup without major costly modifications. This is perfect for renovation projects in restaurants, reception areas, and home bars.

How to choose the best Lift-Assist Damper for your next interior project

The most critical factor is the torque (or "door moment") of your lid or flap. You must calculate the torque and choose a damper model that matches that range carefully for optimal results. 

The torque calculation is based on the weight of the flap and the distance from the pivot point to the centre of gravity. A common formula for a uniform flap is:

Torque (Door Movement) = Door Weight x 9.8 x Distance from rotation centre to door centre of gravity (m) / the Number of Dampers (usually 1 or 2). 

What’s more, different models of lift-assist dampers are suitable for different flap thicknesses. For example, our Lamp Lift-Assist Damper for lightweight panels is suitable for 15-25mm tick flaps, whilst the Lamp Lift-Assist Damper heavy-duty series is  suitable for 30-50mm thick flaps.

Simple right? This is where we can help. Our knowledgeable team can provide the guidance and support you need to select the product that is right for your project. Simply call or email us with your requirements and we’ll provide you with the product specification required to meet your needs. 

What type of hinge should I use with a Lift-Assist Damper?

To achieve the smooth, controlled motion that these lift-assist dampers are designed for, manufacturers consistently recommend utilising a single-axis hinge, most commonly a piano hinge. This type of hinge provides a continuous, uniform pivot point across the entire width of the flap, which is crucial for the damper mechanism to calculate and apply consistent resistance and lift-assist torque. 

Using complex hardware like standard concealed hinges is not generally recommended, as their multiple pivot points and non-linear movement can interfere with the damper's intended function, leading to erratic closing speeds or structural stress.
 

Precision-engineering: Japanese Quality

The functionality and safety of your environment is crucial. When planning your accessible spaces, you can rely on quality engineered solutions from Japanese manufacturer, Sugatsune. Here at SWS Hardware, we stock their full range of Lamp lift-assist dampers, suitable for light, medium and heavyweight panels. 

Embrace the smooth, quiet, and safe operation of your countertops and furniture panels. Shop our full range of Lift-Assist solutions today.