pivotable

Pivotable is an adjective used to describe a component or mechanism that is capable of pivoting or rotating about a fixed axis. The term combines pivot, the point or axis about which movement occurs, with the suffix -able indicating capability. In engineering and product design, pivotable joints and mounts allow angular displacement between connected parts while preserving connection to a base element.

Common applications include mechanical hinges, turntables, swivels, and camera or lamp mounts. Pivotable joints enable relative motion in two or more parts and are selected to provide a desired range of motion, load capacity, and stiffness. In robotics and automation, pivotable actuators or linkages enable planar or spatial rotation, while in furniture and fixtures pivotable elements allow reconfiguration or repositioning.

Design considerations for pivotable components include the axis location, range of motion (angular travel), clearance with adjacent parts, and the presence of friction or backlash. Materials and lubrication affect wear life, while locking features or stoppers can limit unintended movement. Tolerances must account for assembly, thermal expansion, and load conditions to maintain reliable pivoting over time.

Although closely related to rotatable and hinged concepts, pivotable emphasizes the ability to pivot around an axis rather than continuous rotation; pivotable components may also be described as rotatable or hinge-based, depending on the mechanism and context. Examples include pivotable chair arms, pivoting brackets, and pivotable camera mounts. See also rotatable, hinge, joint, articulation.