Effegi Brevetti components made with LATI structural materials to ensure robustness, precision, and mechanical strength
Construction and Building, Structural
Construction and Building, Structuralbyadmin

Designer Furniture and Metal Alternatives

In the high-end furniture sector, there is growing interest in structural polymer materials capable of replacing metal, without compromising on mechanical performance and aesthetic quality. The project developed by EFFEGI Brevetti for a hinge designed for lift-up wall units in high-end kitchens is an emblematic case.

Objective: eliminate zamak and reduce weight and costs while maintaining high technical standards and impeccable aesthetics.

Multifunction Hinge and Design Challenge

The system includes:

  • Mounting plate for the leverage system
  • Lever system with viscous damping through gas shock absorber
  • Second plate to house the mechanism
  • Cover casing
  • Butterfly for door mounting

Key challenges:

  • Replace zamak in a visible and structural component
  • Avoid aesthetic defects caused by fiber showing through in reinforced materials
  • Ensure mechanical strength, dimensional stability and excellent workability

LATIGLOSS: the Aesthetic and Structural Compound for Furniture

The solution was found in LATIGLOSS 66, an aesthetic structural compound based on reinforced PA66 with:

  • 50-60% glass fiber, for high mechanical properties
  • Special surface formulation, ensuring a glossy and uniform finish, even on visible parts
  • Excellent dimensional stability, even on large and thin surfaces

Characteristics

Values / Benefits

Glass fiber

50-60%

Aesthetics

Glossy surface, defect-free

Base polymer

PA66

Moldability

Melt temperature 280°C, mold 80°C

Compatibility

Standard PA6 molding machines

FEM Analysis and Design Optimization

Through FEM simulations, the plate structure was optimized:

  • Addition of ribs and thickness adjustment
  • Improvement of mechanical strength through fiber orientation
  • Reduction of surface aesthetic defects

The study confirmed that LATIGLOSS can be molded with parameters similar to a standard reinforced PA66, without requiring aromatic polyamide presses or high-temperature cycles.

A Sustainable Alternative for Furniture Aesthetics

The use of the aesthetic structural compound enabled complete metal replacement in the structural and visible parts of the mechanism, maintaining:

  • High-end aesthetics, suitable for visible installations
  • Weight reduction
  • More competitive production costs

FAQ

What advantages does an aesthetic structural compound offer compared to zamak?
Lower weight, reduced costs, superior aesthetics, and ease of processing.

Is LATIGLOSS suitable for visible parts in high-end furniture?
Yes, thanks to its glossy, defect-free surface finish.

Is special equipment needed to mold LATIGLOSS?
No, it is compatible with standard PA66 molding machines.

Contact Us

If you are designing visible and structural components for furniture and seeking a metal alternative with high performance and impeccable aesthetic finish, aesthetic structural compounds like LATIGLOSS represent the ideal choice, contact us here.