Thanks to her, it is possible to use every free centimeter of space, as well as use unique options for the arrangement of drawers and compartments of the headset.
Products from Blum are one of the most advanced and innovative solutions in the field of components for sets and furniture.
The manufacturer has made a lot of efforts to ensure that modern housewives can optimally organize food storage, use of the kitchen, and also facilitate the cooking process.
Basic systems
The technologies used by this manufacturer are based not only on many years of experience, but also on numerous practical tests and research.
All this allows us to obtain ergonomic, reliable and functional solutions.
Innovative components provide drawers and doors with smooth opening and closing, allowing you to organize the available working area as ergonomically as possible.
Thanks to this, each item stored in the kitchen will have its own place and will be pleasant to use.
Among the variety of Blum engineering solutions, the following are classified into separate categories:
— Lifting systems (AVENTOS);
— Mechanisms for drawing out drawers (METABOX, LEGRABOX, AVENTOS, TANDEMBOX, etc.);
— guides;
- loops;
— components for the internal filling of the kitchen.
All this fittings were developed from scratch by engineers of the Austrian company. It is the result of numerous tests carried out both in laboratory and in real operating conditions.
They are designed to make your daily meal preparation process more organized and smart.
A little about the brand
Bloom is not a multinational corporation. This is a small, export-oriented Austrian company: 7 factories in Austria, 2 in the New World (USA and Brazil), packaging and logistics produces EXCLUSIVELY furniture fittings, and this probably explains the close attention to innovation and unique properties of products. If Bloom does not maintain its leading position in its segment, it simply will not survive!
But at the moment, furniture manufacturers in all countries know that Blum furniture fittings will last as long as the furniture itself!
General information
history of the company
The first fittings for furniture items were released in 1958, and it was at that moment that the company found its purpose, a path from which it never turned. We will not describe the history of the company in detail, but we will look at what is very compelling from the history.
Firstly, the company is still family-owned, which means that the company has its own internal corporate culture aimed at long-term development. It is for this reason that the company is the most famous throughout the world. The main task of the manufacturer is not to make money here and now, but something more - to create the best products on the market. Secondly, the scale of the intellectual work produced over almost 70 years is admirable. The company has its own educational programs, uniform quality control standards, and an excellent engineering base, which can essentially be compared to a separate scientific platform. Separately, it should be noted the steps that the company is taking to make production more environmentally friendly. All this became possible due to the correctly chosen development policy and fundamental tasks that Blum constantly set for itself. We'll talk about them further.
Company philosophy
If we discuss this issue, it is worth noting that we cannot judge the internal corporate culture. First of all, I am impressed by the company’s focus on certain areas of fittings, and here’s why. Large manufacturers generally try to develop a large number of areas at the same time. As a rule, this will lead to the fact that some developments work and some don’t. A kind of constant work on new hypotheses, and this is not always good. A “crude” product may have an unusual concept, but poor implementation in a practical area. For this reason, a lot of diverse activities sometimes harm a particular furniture line, and ultimately, the company may lose loyalty in the eyes of the client.
In turn, Blum chose the main directions for herself - hinges, lifting mechanisms, drawers and guides. Having decided on the directions, the company decided to focus on developing and improving the quality of its products and not deviate from this path throughout the years. This focus made it possible to create an excellent product that has long been able to win the respect of consumers, as well as furniture manufacturers. Everyone who has at least once encountered the furniture industry knows about such a company. By the way, even these four directions did not appear immediately. To begin with, the company focused on developing high quality hinges and guides. Only then, gradually, “without sudden movements,” did pull-out systems and lifting mechanisms appear. If we talk about the brand philosophy, it will be based on the general Dunamic Space system, which will be responsible for optimization and functionality in the kitchen. In the Blum fittings concept, the system is based on the following three pillars - “space”, “work processes”, “movement”.
In a company, work processes in the kitchen must be optimized to the maximum, and every centimeter of space must be used as efficiently as possible, and all actions performed by a person must be as convenient and comfortable as possible. Each product adheres to these principles. I would like to say that “Dynamic Space” was not just a marketing ploy for the company to promote products, but was also able to change the furniture industry in many ways. Many companies and designers have begun to use this system in their own work with clients. And for most companies, the concept is included in the main training material for training designers. Next, we propose to consider the fittings themselves.
Main types of Blum fittings
The functionality of modern kitchens is ensured by three main types of fittings
- Bloom hinge systems
Blum hinges ensure soft and smooth opening of doors, and the bloom closer provides a shock absorption system, regardless of the weight of the door.
- Bloom extension systems
The extension system can be either guides for wooden drawers or sets of drawers with metal drawers that can withstand loads of up to 50 kg. blum drawers, even when fully loaded, glide smoothly and silently along the guides. All of them provide for fixation when extended - it is impossible to accidentally drop them. The bloom closer compensates for the degree of workload and the force of pressing when closing.
- Blum lifting mechanisms
They are used to open and fix the doors of wall cabinets and allow you to securely fasten the doors in any position. Blum lifting mechanisms have different modifications for cabinets of any size and configuration.
Blum also produces division systems that increase the capacity of boxes and cargo. These include stainless steel trays, cutlery holders and other “useful little things” that increase the functionality of kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Loops
The conventional four-joint hinge is also available in the Blum product range.
Such an engineering solution cannot be called advanced and innovative, because it is almost impossible to create something fundamentally new in this area.
But the manufacturer managed to make this product more reliable and practical. Its service life is practically unlimited.
Doors equipped with such hinges open and close more smoothly and easily, which is the key to increased convenience during use.
Advantages and disadvantages of Blum fittings
The advantages of Blum fittings include:
- high technology
- ergonomics
- reliability
- possibility of maximum use of space
- multifunctionality
- aesthetics
- durability
The disadvantages are the high price.
The question is, is the high price a real disadvantage? Experts say that Blum fittings are just as much more expensive than the very high-quality products of their competitors Hettich and Grass as they are superior to them in their consumer properties. And Blum’s lifting mechanisms simply have no analogues - none of the existing systems from other companies even come close to Blum’s standards of convenience and safety.
And besides, it is much more economical to purchase fittings that provide more than 200,000 cycles of comfortable opening and closing than those that are half the price, but guarantee uninterrupted operation for only 50,000 cycles.
Drawer mechanisms
The systems of the eminent Austrian manufacturer, installed on drawers, amaze not only with their reliability and functionality, but also with their enviable decorative effect.
The Intivo series is equipped with original side inserts for drawers, stylized as glass, leather or wood.
The Antaro line presents laconic and simple solutions with distinctly linear shapes, which makes them ideal for kitchens made in minimalist and high-tech styles.
For kitchens designed in a classic interior style, the fittings included in the Plus series will be an excellent solution.
In the METABOX line you will find inexpensive products. At its affordable price, it is endowed with enviable functionality, reliability and practicality. The external solution is the simplest and most discreet.
Guides
A distinctive feature of the guides from the MOVENTO series is that all these mechanisms allow the drawers to be fully extended. In addition, they are securely hidden, that is, invisible to the eye when opened.
Their analogue, which also provides full extension, is the TANDEM guides, but they are visible.
Look for an inexpensive but reliable solution - take a closer look at STANDART fittings. These are visible roller guides that ensure partial extension of the drawers.
Whatever option you choose, you can be sure that these components will fully cope with the obligations assigned to them, guaranteeing convenient, long-term and reliable operation.
Blum fittings - caring for mechanisms
The fittings do not require special care. It is enough to limit its contact with liquid - after wet cleaning, immediately wipe it dry with a soft cloth. To clean metal elements, do not use aggressive alkalis, abrasives, or steel wool. And of course, do not store acid-containing liquids open in cabinets - as they evaporate, they can cause metal corrosion.
And then Blum fittings will provide you with many years of pleasure from using a beautiful, functional and comfortable kitchen!
All custom-made kitchens manufactured by our salon are equipped only with high-quality Blum fittings; you can find out more detailed information about this by phone or by sending a message using the feedback form. We will definitely call you back and answer all your questions related to fittings and components for your future kitchen.
Production support at all stages
Bloom is one of those companies that was conceived not just to sell its product, but to “use” it from design to production. The company invests heavily in the development of additional tools that make it possible to increase the quality of furniture items.
The fittings themselves may be beautiful, but if they were installed beautifully, then no matter how high the quality was at the beginning, in the eyes of the client the final result will still be unsatisfactory. Everyone in the company understands this very well. For this reason, Bloom is developing two key areas of production support - design software development and machine tools with various accessories. The first direction will include the following programs, namely the E-Services online service, DYNAPLAN and the EASY ASSEMBLY mobile application.
The second is filler drilling machines, crate assembly jigs, digital automated solutions and a variety of different templates. If we talk about the company, the DYNAPLAN program is now actively used for designing furniture projects. A convenient software interface makes it possible to quickly assemble the required cabinets and export it to SketchUp. This will increase the accuracy and depth of design. The client will immediately see what the kitchen filling will look like in detail. All this will enable designers to make a better presentation and hence provide quality service to clients. Overall, this level of support is respectful and will automatically increase the status of the brand. These fittings are a pleasure to offer, add to the design model and install at various production stages.
Cost of Blum fittings
So we come to the issue of cost. Everything is relative here. The price of the accessories is quite reasonable and corresponds to the declared quality. The price of fittings cannot be considered literally head-on. Most people forget that there are also operational costs that the customer will bear when replacing or repairing fittings. Sometimes calling a specialist covers up all the benefits that were initially available when purchasing cheap, low-quality items. For this reason, by choosing Bloom, the client automatically receives excellent quality. The likelihood that elements will fail when used correctly is extremely low. If we talk about the line of accessories presented, not all items have relatively high prices. There are also budget directions for hinges and retractable systems. Based on this, we recommend choosing this brand.
Blum tandems. Calculation and installation. TANDEM BLUMOTION.
| This article describes the principle of calculation and installation of drawers on the TANDEM BLUMOTION partial extension system from Blum . Those. tandem guides with built-in closing closers. Article number in the Blum : 550Н5000В. |
The dimensions for fastening the guides on the side of the cabinet will be given taking into account the possible interchangeability of the drawers. The calculation and example are given on the basis of a three-drawer kitchen cabinet section (Fig. 2.). At the end, a fully parametric model of such a cabinet with all the fittings will be given for more detailed acquaintance. Model PRO100 in “*.sto” format.
! All calculations are made on chipboard with a thickness of 16 mm.
| Fig.2 | Cabinet parameters: Width 400 mm. Height 720 mm. (without legs), Facades - 3 pcs. Guides - 500 mm. Facade dimensions: 140x396 mm. - top. 284x396 mm. - lower ones. The very principle of assembling this cabinet. To begin with, theory and diagrams from the official Blum . |
Drawer length.
Fig.3
where, NL is the nominal length of the guide. SKL - box length. SKL = NL - 10 mm.
Drawer width.
Fig.4
where, LW is the internal size of the cabinet (between the sidewalls). SKW is the length of the front or back part of the drawer (provided that this part is placed between its sides).
Drawer height.
Fig.5
Diagram for calculating the height of the box.
Practical part. Calculation and installation.
In practical application, we will move a little away from catalog diagrams and make a diagram for ourselves. See Figure 6. Black numbers
- dimensions of the body, drawer sides, fronts and gaps.
Red
- dimensions for attaching guides.
Blue
- the size of the front and back panels of the drawers.
Green
- gaps in the drawer body between other parts.
Fig.6
With this scheme, the lower and middle drawers turned out to be interchangeable.
Tandem box diagram.
Fig.7
The Blum catalog suggests making boxes with a groove for fiberboard in all four parts, and then making cutouts in the front and back parts for the clamps. For what? It is enough to make only grooves in the sides of the box, and reduce the height of the front and back walls accordingly.
Fig.8
We take the length of the side of the box as according to the catalogue. Those. 500 mm - 10 mm = 490
mm.
Then, the dimensions of the drawer parts
:
- The sides of large drawers are 490 x 210 mm.
- Front and back parts of large drawers - 326 x 194 mm.
- The sides of the top drawer are 490 x 100 mm.
- The front and back parts of the top drawer are 326 x 84 mm.
Cabinet depth.
When mounted to the side of the cabinet, the guides are fastened by 4 mm. from the front edge of the sidewall. Hence, the minimum
the depth size (the width of the side of the cabinet) should be = Length of the guide + 4 mm. For convenience, the depth of the cabinet should be considered as follows: Length of the guide + 10 mm. In our version, with a guide length of 500 mm. the depth of the cabinet will be = 510 mm.
Assembly.
1. Fastening the guides.
| TANDEM BLUMOTION partial extension slides from Blum | Marking. |
| The guides are attached with an indentation of 4 mm. from the front end of the sidewall of the cabinet. |
| Cabinet frame with guides. |
2. Assembling boxes.
| Groove for fiberboard in the sides of the drawers. Such a groove can be made using a hand-held plunge-cut saw. Cutting depth 9 mm. |
| Box details. | Croaking box. |
| Installing the bottom of a fiberboard box. |
| Tandem front locks. | The clamps are attached to the front panel of the drawer. |
| Fastening the clamp. | The clamp is in operation. |
| In the back panel of the box, on the left and right, blind holes with a diameter of 8 mm are drilled. to a depth of 12-13 mm. The hole is drilled at a distance of 8 mm. below and to the side of the corner of the part. |
| The box is installed on the guides and pushed in until the latch clicks. In order to remove the drawer from the guide, just lightly press the orange locking flag. |
Cabinet with drawers on Tandems assembled.
Bottom line. General formulas.
In order to calculate the detailing of a product for using Tandem guides, we present the general procedure for universal calculations.
- Sidewall of the cabinet =
Tandem guide length
+
10 mm. - Drawer side =
Tandem guide length
-
10 mm. - The length of the front and back panels of the drawer =
the width of the cabinet
-
32 mm.
(thickness of the sides of the cabinet) -
42 mm. (catalog size). - The height of the side of the drawer (for facades with a height of 200 mm.) =
The height of the facade
is
40-41 mm.
(gap at top) -
17 mm. (gap from the lower edge of the facade or from the bottom, connection). - The height of the front and back panels of the drawer =
the height of the drawer side
-
16 mm. - Height of the drawer side (for facades less than 200 mm high) =
Front height
-
23 mm (gap from the top of the facade)
-
17 mm. (gap from the bottom of the facade). - The bottom of the box is made of fiberboard. Width =
Length of the front and back panels of the drawer
+
14 - 16 mm.
(for placement in the grooves of the drawer sides). Length =
drawer side. - Dimension for marking the fastening of the guides to the side of the cabinet. 40 mm
. from the lower edge of the facade or from the connection, bottom.
A complete parametric model of the cabinet with tandems and all the fittings.
Questions and discussion on the forum:
Supporting Information.
(all links open on a new page)
- Making a drawer.
- Tool for assembling furniture.
- How to drill assembly holes.
- Kitchen cabinet with three drawers.
