The nice thing about an L or T handle is that your hand goes easily to it and naturally knows which way to turn – then with the integral, quarter turn function everyone can see the status of the lock – with a suite of cabinets one can see at a glance if one of them is unlocked. In addition they offer substantial leverage for rod systems which require a lot of force to ensure gasket pull down.
The team here at FDB Panel Fittings are pleased to announce an innovative new series of leveling feet from Dirak for machines, instruments, conveyor systems, work tables, furniture, and fluid process equipment. They feature flexible modular design with standard hexagonal screw and optional anti-slip insert which also absorbs vibrations and protects the floor against abrasion.
These new leveling feet offer equipment installers a functional and flexible design using standard hex headed metric screws, this design makes it possible for customers to select the height of their installation on site by use of a standard hexagon screw to DIN 933/ISO 4017. This advanced innovation not only simplifies and improves storage capacity, but also enables a wide range of variants – with just one product.
These Leveling Feet are available in sizes from 30mm to 83mm to suit hex headed screws of M6/M8/M10/M12/M16/M20 and come with a non-slip foot insert for use on otherwise slippery floors. Typically, they find appication on uneven floors when attempting to set up machines or furniture precisely. To use only one version of leveling foot would offer limited adjustment possibilities so in order to achieve exact results, different height screws are often required – this is a situation easily remedied with different length standard bolts.
The all-new design uses a larger than normal ball that increases the area of contact between the components of the Leveling Foot, and thus the force that can be absorbed by the product. The force is directed downward, not to the sides, thanks to a unique design of the base plate—protecting the plate from breaking due to horizonal load.
A feature of this new design is that the base plate of these articulated feet can be designed smaller relative to the load. This space-saving method makes it possible to mount the Leveling Foot closer to the edge of equipment, which is especially advantageous for housings that stand next to each other.
Our friends at DIRAK recently mentioned that their PA hinges for nested doors offer many advantages: If you need a hinge with high load capacity, they recommend variant 4-400. Does it need to lift-off? No problem they explain with variant 4-402. It can also be fastened very easily with M5 screws or rivets. Hinge 4-401 offers an economical and lightweight variant. See the advantages for yourself in this video!
At a time when the need for cost savings and time savings are more important than ever, we are pleased to inform that our Rocfast customer service program saves time, money and mistakes by guiding engineers and buyers through the process of specification, component matching, ordering, assembly, packaging and logistics – direct to site – worldwide.
The FDB Rocfast program focuses primarily on lock assembly including all major industry brands – and is designed to take the hard work out of an order process that often requires specification of individual lock components, and time consuming self-assembly prior to installation. The FDB expert team rapidly identify the optimum specification of components then order, assemble and deliver to site, to workshop or to metal former/subcontractor in line with their theme of providing “Panel Fittings for every Enclosure”.
The Rocfast service includes all ¼ turn favourites with appropriate keys, with IP rated sealing if required, with cams of all types, traditional L or T handles, swinghandles and compression locks as applicable.
As well as supplying standard latch inserts Panel Fittings can also supply handle inserts, turning a standard quarter turn into a handle. This includes T-Handles, L-Handles, Star Knobs and Wing Knobs in various styles. Also, for locks used in dusty environments they advise that they can supply dust caps and finger pulls for easy opening of panels.
Complimentary accessories include serrated lock washers for applications where the securing nut may become loose, and earth (grounding) nuts which have sharp protrusions intended to cut through the painted coating on the metalwork to provide a good electrical connection.
Our Rocfast assembly service provides specifiers with a quick and simple means of getting the exact quarter-turns they need, to the specification they choose, pre-assembled and delivered on time. There are so many combinations however that the part number selection can seem daunting, so they provide a guide which has been designed to explain how to select the correct product code and to showcase the wide range of options available.
For example, a standard code of ECC8T/24 includes the following components: – the first three letters of the code determine the materials/finish of the lock assembly. e.g., ECC denotes that the lock is zinc die, chrome plated, with other options shown.
Insert Type is covered by the next two characters which determines the type of insert used to operate the lock. e.g., 8T denotes an 8mm triangle insert with all available inserts also shown.
Cam Height: The last code determines the cam style and cam height for the lock, (the distance between the front of the door to where it latches) e.g., 24 denotes a 45mm length cam with a height/bend of 24mm. Shorter 35mm long cams, along with 2 and 3-point cams are also available.
Customers can then go through a four-step process – Pick your housing – Pick your insert – Pick your cam – order the fully assembled lock.
We are delighted to announce that our Online store can make the installation of cabinet hardware simple and efficient by offering a wide range of standard ex-stock cams and rod sets in single, double and triple point configuration. These options enable assemblers/installers to match closure hardware to varying depths of door/frame and sizes of door in order to ensure a proper IP seal, with multi-point rod closure where required. Whether closing a wall-mounted enclosure or a free-standing cabinet then a latching cam of some sort will be required – in the latter case usually a three-point latch is used to enable interfacing with a simple rod locking mechanism, which allows multi-point closure and more even gasket compression. Rods are also available from the Online store in varying lengths from 400mm to 1200mm (with/without rollers) to suit typical cabinet heights.
Our team point out that their extensive range of single/double and triple-point cams may be easily selected and assembled through the FDB Rocfast assembly and logistics program. This program at its simplest provides component information via a tabulated guide which informs re-compatibility. Should a greater level of advice be required then this is offered by phone or email to ensure the correct fit. The Rocfast program also offers assembly at the Panel Fittings workshop plus delivery in custom production packs, if desired they can be packed with other hardware components such as hinges for example.
We are delighted to now offer ten pages of different styles and variations on the theme of industrial hinges at our Online store. So whether you need an urgent sample for prototyping or a production run quantity we can help – also if you find yourself stuck at installation we have big stocks for urgent delivery.
Of course if you can’t find what you need then please contact our team who can explore other avenues for you.
Our friends at Dirak have recently published this useful piece about quarter turn locks and latches – highlights below but please follow the link to read the whole piece.
Before you decide on a latch there are 5 things you need to consider:
A range of for protection of personnel and plant in RAF/RNAS hangars.
Designed in accordance with MOD specifications, there are more than 100 variants to suit all service applications.
***Prices according to type and specification***
Please contact us on 0208 8568 4621 for advice or assistance.
We are pleased to advise that our team continues to aid specialist panel builders by offering an extensive ex-stock selection of quarter turn latch inserts with which installers may create their own “spanner locks”. These inserts are available from the Online store and may be matched with cylinders, housings and tabs/cams with many key options – also via the Rocfast assembly/logistics program which offers an extended level of customer service, providing guidance, assembly, packaging and special delivery where needed.
These inserts come in many styles – commonly square, triangular and double bar- in various sizes, in addition there are castellated, slotted, star knob, hexagonal and wing knob inserts suited to differing applications where often common usage determines the key of choice as an industry standard.
In addition, this spanner lock insert approach is especially suited for situations where cylinder key locking is problematic and /or unnecessary, e.g., where a cylinder lock could get jammed by freezing or with dirt or other contaminants. Inserts provide an inexpensive lock/latch solution i.e., the “spanner lock” approach, which has been used for generations to offer a low-cost, low-level security for enclosures, cabinets or other housings or protective screens. It may be thought of as saying “do not open without authority – contents may be dangerous or vulnerable”.
In considering hardware for electronic enclosures and cabinets, we have seen an increasing need for end-user applications involving more secure closure of data cabinets and modules – also for IT cabinets such as for data switching and data storage e.g., 19-inch racks. In the wider industrial sphere, we see the same needs for power and data cabinets, control cabinets e.g., housing relays and servers or HVAC controls.
Traditional L or T-type handles have a number of problems regarding vulnerability in transit and safety of personnel when used in confined spaces. However, Swinghandles offer a low profile with a smooth flush surface which does not catch clothing and so saves space in corridors, thus enabling more cabinets to be installed for any given floor space. They are also frequently and inherently, anti-vandal by virtue of their inset handle with narrow gaps so preventing the insertion of a tool or pry bar. Consequently, it is often sufficient to install a conventional IP65 swinghandle with a key lock, for example where the installation is within an indoor security perimeter which is considered adequate to restrict access.
However, it is often found that an extra layer of security is required on the door handle itself to prevent unauthorised entry, or that better access management is needed to keep the system simple – examples of this would be use of the new Dirak digital locking swinghandles or their new iLOQ swinghandle, from FDB Panel Fittings, which simply enables secure access by use of a smartphone with an online management app and without the need to wire power to the handle.
The Dirak Swinghandle with combination lock and key cylinder offers multi-factor authentication for equipment locking, which is a growing demand in securing access to industrial enclosures and cabinets, so this new swinghandle introduction is a welcome new offering. It provides the benefits of two factor mechanical authorisation, along with IP65 sealing protection for installations where extra security is required. This could suit small server racks or other data and machine control installations in industrial situations where the added level of security can be gained simply and quickly at lower cost than equivalent electronic products.
The combination swinghandle is a mechanical unit designed for wall mounting enclosures and free standing cabinets (or suites of cabinets) and is convenient to use since it incorporates both a 3 digit combination lock and a profile key cylinder in a standard swinghandle footprint. Fitment is quick and simple using the common 50mmx25mm cut-out for LH or RH installation in doors of 1.5mm to 2.5mm thickness.
However, looking at additional security levels, we are aware of the important question – how to keep the electronic locking of cabinets simple and efficient? That is without hassle, convenient for remote installations and without incurring a multiplicity of keys, keypads or cards to accommodate cabinet access across many site installations This is one of the significant problems of today where housing of electronic equipment is concerned.
Fortunately, the new iLOQ S50 half cylinder cleverly addresses this issue by offering a battery less lock, powered and operated by a smartphone and the iLOQ app. This half cylinder mechanism can be accommodated in a new Dirak IP 65 RC2 swinghandle available from FDB Panel Fittings – it is a combination designed specifically to enhance the Security and Access Control of outdoor housings. This pairing offers a solution to utility providers, such as power production and distribution companies, telecom network services, data centres, water treatment plants, property services and transportation services, who regularly face the challenge of simultaneously managing numerous sites and vast numbers of locks.
Traditionally, protecting the closing system of these cabinets against unwanted human tampering or the effects of weather generally requires labour-intensive and costly service and maintenance. This can create complex challenges for companies. To address these issues and support customers facing these challenges, our sales partner DIRAK have developed an IP 65 RC2 handle, specifically for the iLOQ S50 half cylinder. This cylinder requires neither batteries nor cables – just a phone and an app – which is a very smart solution.
This new RC2 handle is safety-tested to DIN EN 1630 RC2 and is protected against unauthorized access while being dustproof and watertight to IP65 in accordance with DIN EN 60529 thanks to its captive foamed seal. Manufacture in high-quality zinc die with a UV-resistant powder coating ensures protection against the weather and the spring-loaded, liftable operating lever directly indicates the closing status. As a further anti-vandal measure the top of the swinghandle is angled with an upward slope so that it cannot be used as a climbing aid – a feature which also prevents accumulation of dirt which could otherwise interfere with operation of the handle. This DIRAK RC2 handle is now available from Panel Fittings while the iLOQ S50 half cylinder can be ordered from iLOQ (www.iloq.com).
With iLOQ S50, a smartphone is the key to a secure installation. Access rights to all property locks can be remotely shared and multiple sites can be conveniently consolidated into one user-friendly and secure cloud-based software platform, saving resources and simplifying access management. Other features include a design for use in harsh environments and extreme climatic conditions while also being dustproof and watertight. Access management is characterised by a user-friendly and secure cloud-based iLOQ Manager software platform which makes the iLOQ/swinghandle a truly flexible solution.
