The team here at FDB Panel Fittings are pleased to announce that, together with our sales partner DIRAK, we can now offer a range of clean locking solutions for the secure closure of housings and equipment in the food processing industries where regular pressure washing is a normal requirement. These quarter turn and compression latches were specifically designed to meet the fundamental principles of “Hygienic Design (HD)” and adhere to the strict requirements and regulations for the food processing industry. These products include a quarter turn latch with SW13 insert, a series of hygienic compression latches and a compression latch with L handle and plate cylinder.

Design features include sophisticated geometric shaping, high-quality polished stainless-steel surfaces and other materials selected to prevent accumulation of contaminants while enabling vigorous cleaning on a regular basis. In this way bacterial build-up may be safely avoided because water can access all surfaces and drain off completely. The high-quality stainless steel used in these latches guarantees optimum corrosion and temperature resistance, making them ideal for almost any environment.

All “HD Products” of this type have been developed within the framework of the properties and tests required by the hygienic standards of the European industrial specifications of DGUV Test Certificate NV 13090. Consequently, the materials are selected to be resistant to acid-based and alkaline-based cleaning agents and each product is assembled with a blue sealing gasket to meet FDA requirements so it cannot be mistaken for food materials, and is readily identified as suitable for food processing.

The latch designs go even further to ensure a high level of safety by featuring smooth rounded edges (to avoid any potential risk during handling) and are matched with a fastening nut with grounding teeth which guarantees reliable contact between the lock and the enclosure, so that an electrically conductive earth connection is ensured.

Our Online store now has an ex-stock selection of profile sections for urgent delivery to suit door sealing and window installations.

Sections are available to fit channels by push-in – also clip-on hollow profiles or “P” type designs in different configurations. Also, window retaining and sealing strips to suit varying thicknesses of window (eg acrylic or other) and thickness of door material.

Closed cell foam in a variety of sizes can be supplied and is fitted with non-stretch self-adhesive backing for ease of installation.

We are pleased to present a new visible 2D adjustable hinge for nested doors from sales partner Dirak which is designed to save time and simplify correct alignment of larger doors in order to achieve proper aesthetics and optimum sealing. This new 2D hinge is a lightweight construction variant made of powder-coated aluminium. It is based on the existing zinc die 3D hinge and offers ±2 mm adjustment capability in vertical and horizontal planes. Thanks to the properties of its fine-structure powder coat the hinge is also suitable for use outdoors.

At the design/development stages attention was paid to function and safety so that the slide adjustment provided in the frame mounting ensures not only durability but also reliable and consistent opening and closing of the door, or panel, over time. Similarly, for security purposes the knurled pin is protected against being removed, thereby providing protection against vandalism.

Depending on requirements customers can choose a short version of this 2D hinge with 2 fastening points or a long version with 4 fastening points on the door mounting flap. A cover (for the long version only) is available as an accessory – also customer specific design options are available on request, for example, including a company logo or instruction.

Wingknobs in zinc die and stainless steel are available form our Online store with IP65 and IP66 sealing and offer a convenient alternative to ordinary quarter turn locks or latches – where they provide more comfortable leverage – and to swinghandle/rod systems where they are quicker to install with lower cost.

We find that winghandles offer an attractive option and can allow panel builders to reduce their need to carry additional systems in their production areas or on installation vehicles.

The new Dirak 6-240 over-centre toggle latch in polyamide as we recently announced,  offers a low cost and very quick way to install this convenient unit which can be push fit into matched rectangular pre-punched holes in the frame and door/access panel. Retention is by means of a toothed ratchet wedge that accommodates metal thicknesses of from 1.2mm to 3.0mm and provides a max closing force of 250N.

Over-centre toggle catches of this type are useful for furniture, enclosures, packaging and inspection panels in zero to low security areas, where nonetheless there is a requirement to protect contents from the environment and provide a boundary to casual operation, so that personnel can self-protect, while retaining the benefits of low cost with rapid operation and firm closure.

For further information on these new over-centre toggle latches please contact FDB Panel Fittings.

This 180° Stainless Steel Hinge is available in variants to suit single cabinets with a surface mounted door of 1.5 or 2.00 mm thickness in RH or LH application.  It is manufactured in robust AISI 316 with a self- securing pin in POM or stainless steel, which ensures easy fitment and removal. Suits door returns of 16 mm.

The new Dirak 7-320 series toggle latches offer secure tightening and locking of twin components in AISI 304 stainless steel with anti-vibration performance by virtue of the dead centre override and push button release, available from standard. Fixing is by means of screws or rivets presenting a sleek appearance with satin polished finish when assembled.

Over-centre toggle catches are frequently the solution of choice on furniture, cases, housings and inspection panels for simple, firm operation, where nonetheless it is necessary to protect contents with a secure closure system which limits casual operation, so that people can self-protect, while retaining a means of low cost rapid operation with firm closure.

For further information on these new over-centre toggle latches please contact us here at FDB Panel Fittings

We are delighted that our Online Store can offer customers urgent supply of  components for panel mounting in the configuration of specialist earth line protection panels and for complete panels if required.

These industrial-level devices are suited to operation in environments including military, utilities, manufacturing, offices and similar. Components include earth leakage protection relays, CT coils, earth fault monitors, multi-function RCDs, combined earth fault & earth line monitors, also stand-alone enclosed single and three-phase electrical protection panels.

These new DIRAK over-centre toggle latches offer slider release or padlocking operation, and feature a stainless-steel toggle loop. They provide a high retaining force with low manual effort, simply by tightening two spring loaded components together and locking them.

The new 7-320.01 series features a release slider in AISI 304 or red ABS with raised thumb pad for easy operation while the padlockable variant includes a 5mm eyelet for use where access control is required.

Over-centre toggle catches of this type are widely used on furniture, cabinets, packaging cases and access panels in low security areas, where there is a need to protect contents from the environment and provide a simple means of closure so that personnel can self-protect, while offering a low cost solution with rapid operation and firm fixing.

Contact us for details