Precision Chair
Mechanism Lock
Components

A tilt-lock holds the chair in whatever tilt position it's currently in — it's a binary lock/unlock. A position-lock (also called a multi-position or indexed lock) has preset angles — typically 3 or 5 — that the backrest clicks into. The position-lock gives the end user defined recline positions rather than a continuous range. For task chairs, tilt-lock is standard. For executive and conference chairs where users want to set a specific recline angle and stay there, position-lock is the appropriate spec.

60,000 cycles minimum for standard commercial office use — that covers roughly 3–5 years of daily adjustment by a single user. For high-use environments (call centers, 24/7 operations, shared workstations), specify 100,000 cycles. We test to these thresholds using BIFMA X5.1 equivalent protocols. Specifying cycle life in your purchase order gives you a documented performance standard to reference if warranty claims arise.

Both. Standalone locks are available at 500-unit MOQ per type. They're common for buyers who manufacture their own mechanism assemblies, or who need replacement parts for existing chair lines. If you're ordering complete mechanisms, the lock is already integrated — you specify the lock type (tilt-lock, position-lock, or swivel-lock) as part of the mechanism configuration.

Request dimensional drawings before ordering. We provide DXF and PDF drawings for all standard lock configurations. Check the pivot hole diameter, the mounting hole pattern, and the lever clearance envelope against your plate geometry. If you're unsure, order 2–5 samples first — it's the fastest way to confirm fit without committing to production quantities.

Two root causes cover most field failures. First, insufficient tooth hardness on the ratchet — if the lock teeth aren't case-hardened to 45–55 HRC, they wear under cyclic load and the engagement becomes sloppy. Second, spring fatigue — the return spring that holds the lock engaged loses tension after repeated cycling if it's undersized for the application. Both are manufacturing decisions, not use-pattern issues. When evaluating a lock supplier, ask specifically about heat treatment spec and spring rate selection for your load rating.

Standard catalog locks: 500 units per type. Geometry modifications within existing tooling (lever angle, engagement force adjustment): same 500-unit MOQ, no tooling charge. New tooling for non-standard configurations: MOQ depends on tooling amortization — typically 1,000–3,000 units depending on tooling complexity. We'll give you the specific number during quoting, not a round figure.