Following on supply of locks for the UK’s T45 frigate program, we are delighted to have supplied a similar solution to the Royal Dutch Navy for their new fleet auxiliaries. Crewed as they are by the large number of people required to re-supply front of line warships, these fleet auxiliary ships face security issues for their personnel, so in this case the requirement was for a zone based wing lock system to cover personal lockers, wardrobes and other storage areas. With typically over 2000 locks on each ship, a project based master key system was specified for crew cabins and furniture or lockers in communal areas.

Our specialist advisors carried out planning, supply, specialist project packaging, administration of coding/delivery and long-term backup support. Not only was it important to have a zoned security with key operated wing locks offering a very high number of “differs” – up to 5000 different combinations with master keys – it was also important that the locks and keys were separately labelled for specific locations and delivered at a very early stage so that they could be brought together later during final fit out.

 Contact us to discuss how we can help with your zoned locking project.

We thought it was particularly useful for specialist panel builders to see just how quick and simple panel assembly can be with the SNAP-LINE range so have loaded a number of short videos onto our Youtube channel – they are linked from our website and cover installation, uninstall and strength – so please click here if you would like to check them out and see for yourself how you too can save time and money in cabinet and enclosure assembly – with the added benefit of space saving storage of flat pack units.

We also have items on an IP65 compression lock and installation/operation of a recessed padlockable T handle.

One of the most important issues for enclosure manufacturers is the question of gasket sealing – what profile to choose, how to accommodate it and what sort of ingress protection does it provide? At FDB Panel Fittings we have assembled a range of specialist products from simple closed cell rectangular rubber foam strips in natural rubber or neoprene, through window gaskets in EPDM, up to grooved clip-on profiles with hollow section. Special sections are available to suit EMI/RFI requirements in EPDM with an additional Cu/Sn fleece to provide the necessary conductivity.

Rectangular section foam profiles feature closed cells with low absorption and quick fit self-adhesive backing, while clip-on gasket sections incorporate a metal spine to grip the door flange. Others are designed for easy insertion into a channel with moulded lips to aid retention in use. Some gasket profiles are especially suited to applications requiring internal pressure either higher or lower than the external environment.

 These industrial sections exhibit excellent resistance to industrial/external conditions including weathering. Use of the FDB gasket radius fillet also ensures tidy sealing of square corners when using clip-fit sections. 

Gasket lengths, together with locks, hinges and other accessories may be supplied under the Rocfast program as consolidated production packs to original equipment manufacturers.

We have been excited by the possibilities of the SNAP-LINE^® range for use in fabricating flat pack enclosures as illustrated by the videos available on our website and Youtube channel. The D-SNAP technology has been designed for quick easy use and has been applied to a full range of components from panel joiners to hinges and swinghandles so that a complete assembly may be produced for flat transport and simple assembly on site.

We now offer the full range of locks/handles, hinges, compression latches, quarter-turns, swinghandles, joining elements, pull handles and slam latches which are likely to interest specialist enclosure or cabinet builders who are looking for a simple labour saving way to rationalise panel punching and subsequent assembly. The SNAP-LINE^® system features a unique clip-in and tool removal system covering metal thicknesses from 0.8mm up to 2.7mm in convenient steps to suit normal industrial practice with degrees of sealing offered by hinges and locks/handles to achieve up to IP65 where specified.

This unique modular technology requires only rectangular hole punching to suit the relevant component which can then be pushed into place by hand to achieve a firm positive fit. The system can be used to fabricate complete cabinets by means of joining elements which can hold sides to back, panels to frames – other components then complete the assembly with snap-in hinges and door closure/security items and so on. The technology that enables this involves careful use of detail design criteria and spring utilisation to ensure a “locked-in” tight fit once installed and a robust assembly when in use.  

An excellent example is the 40mm long cast hinges with 180° capability and sealing capacity to IP65 with RH or LH operation  which are particularly applicable where full door opening is required, either for maximum door clearance, e.g. for insertion of equipment – or for access to the rear of the door. They may be used on standalone enclosures/racks or on suited style side-by-side installations with three versions available – with M5 cast in screws, with screws on one leaf and SNAP-LINE® fitting on the other leaf – or with SNAP-LINE® (D-SNAP®) technology on both leaves to enable a simple “blind” push-in fitting that does not require access from the rear – this can provide up to 90% savings in hinge assembly time. 

The D-SNAP® range of panel assembly joiners, locks, hinges etc is designed to enable specialist cabinet builders to quickly fabricate housings with flat sheet into a robust structure. These specialist joiner components operate to fasten two or more sheet metal panels together by simply pressing and snapping the joiner into prepared panel cutouts. They are ideal for fastening cabinet components, e.g. removable top or base and for robust firm fixing of panels of similar or varying thickness, e.g. multi-component motor control cabinets. 

The 1-044SL is intended for permanent assembly or joining of cabinets side by side whereas the 1-045SL is specifically for situations where one panel may require regular removal, e.g. for maintenance. The 1-046SL also allows one panel to be removed; it is the ideal solution where lighting panels for example have to be removed. The fixed side is fastened with screws enabling the joiner to be used with materials such as wood or for retro-fit installation where hole purchasing is not a possibility. 

D-SNAP® joiners will adjust to varying thicknesses of panel and use standard 30x10mm cut-outs enabling rapid assembly after painting. Where removable panels are needed then pull-off forces may be chosen from 15N/30N/50N dependent upon component. 

As a finishing touch a low profile SNAP-LINE^® swinghandle is ideal for enclosures and control panels where “no-tools” snap-in fitment and resistance to vibration will be appreciated. Features of this D-SNAP® technology unit include clamping ranges from 0.7mm to 5.3mm, LH and RH application and blind assembly, all in a low cost package which – like the D-SNAP® hinges – can save up to 90% of assembly time compared to other swinghandles. Fitment is by means of a simple 110x25mm cut-out – removal is also accomplished quickly and without tools.

We are delighted to be having our 40th aniversary this year – 40 years of providing the best in Panel Fittings for cabinets, enclosures, racks and furniture – many of them under the guidance of Terry Cantle together with our enthusiastic sales and support team – all dedicated to providing the best in expertise and service to specialist panel manufacturers and installers, contractors and maintenance engineers.

We have been providing great service and great products for 40 years so please do get intouch for your quote on the latest project – or just to say “hi – what’s new?”

Our extensive range of grab handles incorporates many different approaches – from factory equipment utility through office furniture to rugged domestic, in sizes that cover finger pulls and dish handles to low cost plastic bridge handles or robust chrome/steel.

Finger pulls and dish handles are compact solutions to low force requirements where a larger component would be out of place such as in the computer industry, 19” technology cabinets etc. Plastic bridge handles in the FDB range feature both low cost polypropylene and high grade polyamide materials in designs for front or rear mounting, with/without cosmetic snap-in covers. Steel based handles for more rugged applications are available with resilient elastomer cover for manual comfort. Chrome finished items provide stylish appearance, with black oxide finish also available. Industry standard sizes are available.

Grab handles, together with other components, may be ordered for supply in production packs under the Rocfast packaging/assembly service as a consolidated program.

We now have well over 100 standard handles available in a wide range of styles and materials and can manufacture to any specification, in any material, to any finish and deliver in Rocfast production packs to simplify your logistics and save you time and money in assembly or installation. For portable equipment and vehicular applications there is a range of robust, moulded grab rails and handles with integral steel cores and attractive textured finish, while lightweight polyamide handles with external or concealed fixings are ideal for portable equipment, floor safes and access panels – and are readily available from stock.

The grab ( or bridge ) handle range includes finger pulls for light duty or restricted space applications while the locking and swinghandle ranges also cover wing handles and padlockables with varients available in stainless steel and in D-SNAP technology.

Here at FDB Panel Fittings we offer an unrivalled range of quality hinges for all industrial applications – this includes internal hinges and external hinges – for weld-on or bolt-on fitting – as well as hinges for cabinets, panels and enclosures we now offer an extensive selection of architectural types for applications through from domestic to heavy duty public access doors as well as continuous piano style for applications including small doors up to security doors.
  Available as standard in a wide choice of style, material and finish, we can also provide bespoke solutions to specific requirements. Materials include steel, painted steel, plated steel, zinc-die, re-inforced plastic, brass, stainless steel – we also of course have the SNAPLINE or D-SNAP hinges for fast fitting and cost saving panel assembly.

All hinges are available in production packs delivered to workshop or installation site under our Rocfast brand to ensure time and cost saving logistics.

Over our many years as specialists in supply of “Panel Fittings for Every Enclosure” you may suppose we have become very proud of our extensive range of camlocks and handles, which includes established and widely specified products, offering a variety of security levels. Applications continue to expand and surprise us but typically they include: office furniture, electrical enclosures, lockers, amusement machines, retail displays, telephones and vehicle security.

For more arduous applications we have a comprehensive range of waterproof locks and handles in diecast zinc alloy or stainless steel according to specifications and for additional security, there are radial pin tumbler locks together with padlockable lever and wing handles, all available in a variety of styles and finish.

All our camlocks and hinges are available in the Rocfast packaging and delivery program which enables customers to order a variety of components pre-assembled ready for installation – and delivered to site as a kit – so reducing costs and speeding up the fitment process.