A Complete Guide to Rotary Dampers: Selection

Choosing a rotary damper isn’t just about picking a “part”—it’s about matching performance to your product’s needs. The wrong damper can lead to clunky operation, premature failure, or frustrated users. With Peir’s diverse rotary damper lineup (from vane to hydraulic, gear to barrel), this blog zeroes in on the 5 non-negotiable selection points to ensure you pick the perfect fit, every time.

Key Point 1: Nail the Torque – The Foundation of Performance

Torque (measured in KGF.CM or GF.CM) is the force that controls rotational motion—and it’s the first spec you need to get right. Too little torque, and your door slams; too much, and it’s hard to open.

Peir’s dampers cover every torque need:

• Light-duty (50–350 GF.CM): For small, low-load products like coffee machine lids or rice cooker doors (e.g., Peir PR-T026A Barrel Damper, 50–350 GF.CM).
• Medium-duty (5–45 KGF.CM): Ideal for refrigerator doors, printer covers, or car sunglass cases (e.g., Peir PR-T095C Vane Damper, 5–45 KGF.CM—used in automotive interiors).
• Heavy-duty (up to 90 KGF.CM): For industrial equipment, oven doors, or large medical trays (e.g., Peir PR-T097A Vane Damper, 20–90 KGF.CM, built for high-load use).

Pro Tip: Use Peir’s torque calculation logic (from the catalog) to avoid guessing. For example, a 2kg lid with a 300mm length needs ~2.94 Nm of torque—match it to a damper like PR-T095C (0–3.0 Nm range) for smooth closing.

Key Point 2: Match Working Angle & Motion Direction to Your Product

Not all products rotate the same way or the same distance—your damper must align with both.

Working Angle

This is how far your component rotates (e.g., a sunglass case might only need 110°, while a industrial door needs 270°). Peir’s options cover the full spectrum:

• Narrow angles (10–110°): Spiral-linear dampers (e.g., PR-T115A, 110°) for oven doors or compact gear; Vane dampers (e.g., PR-T099A, 110°) for small家电.
• Wide angles (270–360°): Keeping dampers (e.g., JP-B22-A, 270°) for position-holding trays; Disc/Barrel dampers (e.g., JP-DQ57A Disc Damper, 360°) for full-rotation needs.

Motion Direction

• One-way damping: For soft-closing only (e.g., car glove boxes, cabinet doors) – choose models like Peir PR-T095A Vane Damper.
• Two-way damping: For smooth motion in both directions (e.g., adjustable hospital beds, office chair armrests) – opt for Peir PR-T022B Barrel Damper.

Key Point 3: Prioritize Cycle Life – Durability That Matches Your Product’s Lifespan

A damper that works great for 1,000 cycles is useless if your product needs to last 50,000. Peir engineers its dampers for specific usage frequencies—here’s how to choose:

Example: A cinema seat (used hundreds of times daily) needs a Disc Damper like JP-DQ57A (50,000 cycles) – it won’t wear out mid-theater season.

Key Point 4: Factor in Environment – Temperature & Materials Matter

Your damper’s surroundings will make or break its performance. Peir designs for diverse conditions—focus on these two specs:

Temperature Range

• Standard indoor use (-5°C to 50°C): Most vane/gear dampers (e.g., PR-T095C Vane Damper) work here—perfect for living rooms or offices.
• Extreme cold/hot (-20°C to 80°C): Choose zinc alloy models like PR-T099E Vane Damper (zinc alloy body/shaft) for automotive or outdoor gear.
• High-heat (up to 120°C): Spiral-linear dampers like PR-T115H (heat-resistant materials) are built for ovens, cooktops, or industrial machinery.

Material Compatibility

• Plastics (PBT/PA66): Lightweight, cost-effective for low-load, dry environments (e.g., PR-T026A Barrel Damper for rice cookers).
• Zinc Alloy: Sturdy for heavy loads, moisture, or temperature swings (e.g., PR-T099M Vane Damper for industrial equipment).
• Sealed Designs: Hydraulic dampers like JP-BM23A (zinc body) resist dust/moisture—ideal for bathrooms or outdoor RV doors.

Key Point 5: Check Dimensional Fit – Don’t Overlook Size & Installation

Even the best-performing damper fails if it doesn’t fit. Peir provides precise dimensions for every model—verify these:

• Diameter: Compact products (e.g., smartwatch chargers) need 8–12mm dampers (PR-T001A, Φ10mm); larger gear (e.g., car armrests) uses 18–20mm models (PR-T095C, Φ18mm).
• Shaft Length: Ensure the shaft reaches your mounting point (e.g., PR-T099A has a 7mm shaft; PR-T099C’s shaft is longer—match to your product’s build).
• Mounting Type: Gear dampers (e.g., PR-T009C) have gear attachments for mechanical integration; barrel dampers (e.g., PR-T028) use simple pins—pick what works with your design.
  
  Peir Barrel Damper installed in a BMW 535Li central armrest—matching torque, fit, and durability

Final Example: How to Apply These Points

Let’s say you’re designing a soft-closing car central armrest (like the BMW 535Li):

1. Torque: Needs 5–15 KGF.CM (light enough to open, strong enough to soft-close) – choose Peir Barrel Damper PR-T028 (300–3500 GF.CM = 3–35 KGF.CM).
2. Angle/Direction: 110° rotation, one-way damping – PR-T028 fits (110° working angle, two-way optional—adjust to one-way).
3. Cycle Life: 60,000 cycles – handles daily car use.
4. Environment: -20°C to 80°C (car interiors) – PR-T028’s POM material works.
5. Fit: Φ15mm diameter – compact enough for armrests.

Result: A damper that delivers smooth, quiet performance for years.

Peir PR-T115H Spiral-Linear Damper—built for 120°C high-heat oven applications

Wrap-Up: Selection Made Simple

Choosing a rotary damper boils down to 5 questions:

1. What torque do I need?
2. What angle/direction does the product rotate?
3. How often will it be used?
4. Where will it operate (temperature/materials)?
5. Will it fit my design?

With Peir’s lineup and these key points, you’ll never guess—you’ll select with confidence. Explore Peir’s full rotary damper catalog at www.peirdamper.com or request a sample to test your fit.