The Traditional British 76mm Panel Hinge has been a mainstay of the UK’s panel building industry for many years so we are pleased to now offer an updated and re-engineered series of these well-known panel mount “bullet” hinges, featuring improved low friction washer and cost reduced manufacture using the latest die-cast processes which provide enhanced rigidity with superior surface finish.

We expect them to find application on control panels and enclosures etc. where their availability in chrome, black powder coat and self-colour will enable specialist panel builders to readily source the most suitable version for quick and simple fitment.

These die-cast lift-off block hinges feature M6 rear blind fixing to standard UK mounting centres and are interchangeable with other standard 76mm items, so ensuring a convenient non-handed installation.

This novel T handle latch addresses the need for an inset/flush locking system in situations such as truck or railway rolling stock side panels where vibration is also a significant problem, also including storage compartments on buses, coaches, commercial vehicles, gensets, machinery and equipment cabins.

Commonly referred to as a “Trap-door” latch the unit is flush mounted with rubber anti-rattle feature. The mechanism has a dual operation with unlocking achieved by means of a separate T handle type key – this also releases the integral T handle for manual operation of the door or access panel.

Finish is in polished chrome with a non-locking variant, also available for places where locking is either not needed – such as a trap door – or provided elsewhere, but still requiring an inset/flush handle for operation.

Fixing of cabinet door hardware, like locking systems, can be a bit fiddly – so manufacturers are taking serious steps to reduce the time taken on this task. Consequently, we are delighted with this clip-on rod guide for flat rods. This quick push on guide fits to an M6 weld stud and then accepts a clip-in industry standard 14x3mm flat rod. For multi-cabinet lock installations this is a definite advantage with fitting of each clip taking only a couple of seconds and ensuring perfect alignment – a variant for round rods is also available.

The quick tool-less installation is completely reversible by unclipping the rod and then unscrewing/ unclipping the guide itself.

We can now offer a range of hardware that has been specifically treated to facilitate the prevention and control of bacterial infection. This process is ideal for anything that is powder coated, as well as most moulded items such as grab rails and handles. Standard finish is black but most other colours are possible with anti-bacterial additive in the powder coat.

In terms of industrial hardware, typical situations for products requiring anti-bacterial solutions are bacteria rich environments with human contact; the most obvious being medical, veterinary, food processing, schools and public transport.

These processes are in common use by manufacturers of medical equipment, bathroom equipment, gym equipment, kitchen equipment, TV remote controls and architectural hardware.

The basic properties of using silver and its derivatives to protect and treat infection has been experimented with and recognised for many years – while urban myths have been around for a long time, such as cowboys putting a silver dollar in their drinks canteen for water purification! Today the technology works at a molecular level and can be fused or embedded onto a surface. It can also be supplied as an additive that’s used in powder coating and plastic granules prior to moulding.

Contact us for details to suit your requirements.

Our engineers have been aware that commercial vehicle manufacturers have special requirements for their components – for example specific hinges and lock inserts. Consequently we are now pleased to offer a range of transport related hardware with the durability to withstand high vibration environments with a high degree of vandal-resistance built-in. These are particularly applicable to utility vehicles such as agricultural harvesting machines, for example which are used in areas far removed from any repair shop or replacement parts, and must also meet a very tight harvesting schedule. Similarly, other mobile plant and construction vehicles where small problems can lead to long and expensive delays.

Typically the 12-600TR concealed hinge for cab doors and the 12-210TR compression latch exemplify the range which covers everything from quarter-turn locks/latches with a variety of specialist inserts, through lock rods, cams, slam latches, concealed and screw-on hinges, clip-on gaskets, recessed handles, bridge handles and SNAP-Joiners.

So whether the application is for fixed or mobile plant, on the farm or building site you can rely on us to have a welter of hardware to suit the application.

We are pleased to announce that we have far exceeded a 3000 plus inventory of specialist industrial access hardware for electrical enclosures, cabinets, electronic racks, control panels, HVAC equipment, lockers/furniture, amusement machines, retail displays, telephone and vehicle security.

Our Panel Fittings range now features locks of many types from quarter-turn through compression locks/latches and combination to pin tumbler, padlocks and rod locks. Standard handle types are catered for, including grab handles, T, L, swinghandles and winghandles. Many items are available in stainless steel 303, 304 or 316, making them suitable for use in chemical, food processing or marine situations where corrosion resistance, coupled to rugged performance are critical factors.

We have been leading specialists in the panel hardware arena for over 30 years and pride ourselves on providing “The Full Package”. As Terry Cantle explained: “We work hard to ensure that we provide real added value – not only with our product, but also by consulting closely with customers in order to provide a proven and reliable single source. We not only ensure specifications are met, but also that costs are minimised.”

Alongside locks and handles the natural complement is a standard range of hinges which in this case provides a huge selection of internal, external, lift-off, piano, weld-on, bolt-on and clip-in types – again with stainless steel variants if required. The innovative D-SNAP technology for tool-less panel joining and hardware fitment parallels traditional technologies with the added potential to save costs and time.

So, whether a project calls for toggle latches, busbars, combination or change locks, neoprene seals, gas struts or eye bolts, we continue to expand our portfolio and service support – a good example of which is the popular Rocfast assembly and packaging service.

We are always delighted to receive unsolicited testimonials – and to pass them on in the spirit of supporting the service we provide – as with this one from a Scientific Equipment Manufacturer in the North East:

” Thank you for your help with our hinges, they arrived today.
If only some of our other suppliers were as efficient!”

What more could we possibly say.

For Special Purpose Vehicles such as fire fighting trucks, ambulances, police riot control vehicles, refuse trucks etc, there are many special requirements which we are able to take into account with this specialist range of hardware. These requirements begin with a high degree of vibration and vandalism resistance, coupled with some quite specific standards and industry usages such as for handles, gaskets and especially lock inserts – vital for security while enabling ready access to any authorised person who therefore needs to only carry one key.

Examples include the 12-880TR bridge handle with application specific colour coding, UL listed clip-on gasket, stainless steel slam latches and AISI 316TI stainless steel quarter-turn locks with industry standard inserts.

These special purpose vehicles are often built in small quantities for especially challenging situations. To suit these needs we offer a broad range of these products coupled with stock and service support matched to the procurement and logistics needs of specialist vehicle manufacturers.

We are delighted that we now have available a very useful little book detailing the development of a modular solution to the need for latches and hinges – entitled “Latch and Hinge Technology for Industrial Use”. This little red pocket book of 95 pages is packed with information from standards and guidelines, IP ratings, installing tips, actuators, rod latches, mounting arrangements and guidelines on relevant calculations as well as a dip into the arena of gaskets and edge protection profiles – plus much, much more!

It contains many illustrations add clarity to the text throughout the book, showing the how, what, why and where of latches and hinges as applied to their specification, use and fitment on specialist enclosure cabinets.

Terry Cantle our MD, welcomed the publication: “We are delighted with this pocket-sized edition which I am sure will become a valued companion for enclosure design, production and installation engineers.” Consequently the book is available free of charge from the office here at FDB Panel Fittings by contacting us on telephone 020 8568 1616, e-mail [email protected] or via our website at www.fdb.co.uk.