Whether you are using D-SNAP components for assembly of a complete cabinet or just for the door furniture, at FDB Panel Fittings we are convinced that the SNAP-LINE range of hinges, locks, handles and panel joiners can provide big time savings for enclosure production, enabling hardware to be installed without the use of tools or mounting hardware such as screws or nuts.

As Terry ( Cantle )  puts it: “This technology offers a completely new way of reducing cost and is an overall time saver for enclosure manufacturers. D-SNAP technology speeds up the entire hardware installation process, allowing manufacturers to save up to 90% of their assembly installation time.”

By using D-SNAP technology the hinges, quarter-turn locks and swinghandles which are integrated into a housing component, are wedged into the cutout, providing a secure vibration proof installation. Without screws there is no concern about loose pieces falling off and damaging sensitive equipment.

This design, with its two spring-loaded sets of wings, offers an installation that is comparable with the strength of conventional products that require hardware and tools for assembly. The hardware may be installed via blind assembly from the front and therefore can even be used for hollow profiles or “sandwich” panels.

An important advantage is that enclosures may be transported safely in a limited space environment without the danger of protruding hardware. Even untrained users can quickly and securely install hardware into an existing cutout without tools.

Our recently announced 7-081 IP67 stainless steel quarter-turn lock has a wealth of features that ensure its suitability for food processing and electronic clean room assembly areas.

The easy to clean polished and rounded shape eliminates crevices that could trap debris, thus preventing accumulation of dirt and bacterial contamination in conjunction with  conventional cleaning methods, including high pressure cleaning. There is a reduced risk of injuries and guaranteed germ free environment within the enclosure. The 7-081 complies with FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements and features special red silicone gasketing for easy identification.

Additional features include electrical continuity by use of a grounding nut to protect users against static discharge. The wide variety of cams available ensures that there is high application flexibility and optimal fit to frame width.

Locks can be delivered pre-assembled under our Rocfast brand package.

It has come to our attention that assembly of cabinets for electronic equipment can be a significant bottleneck in the production and installation process for specialist panel builders – with consequent downstream effects on productivity. Normally the idea of reducing time might also involve reducing quality in some way, but the solution was found in D-SNAP® and SNAPLINE® technology which offers very high quality outcomes with assembly time reduction in the order of 90%.

This technology offers a way of assembling racks and cabinets, as well as their necessary hardware without the use of tools or other fittings such as screws or nuts. The need was identified to enable side panels, tops, bases and doors to effectively be produced as flat items and then quickly assembled either at the factory or on site. Of particular relevance to 19” systems we have recently launched a novel captive SNAP-Joiner which fits the standard 19″ rack 9.5mm x 9.5mm cutout and is quicker and easier to use than the traditional screw with cup washer and cage nut. The SNAP-Joiner is ideal for quickly installing 19″ front panels of electronic racking and for assembling other panels where rapid/removal is required.

SNAP-Joiner is simply punched into the front panel where it is held by spring clips, this assembly is then mated to the rear panel and the SNAP-Joiner core push fitted to activate spring wedges which accommodate a clamping range of up to 5.2mm in a vibration proof connection. Removal is simplicity itself with a 45° turn by cross-head screwdriver, thus meeting the requirements of the Machinery Directive 2006/42EC.

This single component thus combines the function of captive screw with captive cage nut, without the need for specialist installation equipment and reducing inventory SKU’s. The simple push and snap insertion is not only faster (by up to 90%) than threaded options, but also minimises risk of cross-threading and of damage to sensitive equipment in the installation process.

The SNAP-Joiner provides positive clamping action, thus compensating for applications where tight tolerances are difficult to achieve. The same technology is applicable to the entire 19” rack where we have found that with this D-Snap approach toolless assembly is possible complete with hinges, locks and handles. Each SNAPLINE® component is an integrated component with its two spring loaded wedge fittings which offer an installation which is comparable with the strength of traditional assembly methods.

Components in the range centre around the panel joining components which are so configured as to allow insertion (and removal) into blind or closed sections – the resulting rack cabinet may thus be extremely rigid with vibration proof fittings.

Each 19” rack of course requires the possibility for lockable and removable side panels which can be achieved with snap in ¼ turn locks while front/rear doors can be fitted with quarter-turn or swinghandles with D-SNAP® facilities where many standard hardware components are available in D-SNAP® options. This is exemplified by a new range of 180° cabinet hinges which are expected to be of interest for specialist panel builders and installers of electrical or electronic cabinets 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.

Three versions are available – the traditional option 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.

D-SNAP® technology enables assembly/dismantling without tools, screws or nuts, as well as being vibration proof. Not only is this system fast and easy to assemble – it is also a simple “blind” push-in fitting that does not require access from the rear – this often enables up to 90% savings in hinge assembly time.

Needless to say conventional panel fittings continue to be of great interest to manufacturers of electronic equipment of all sizes from plastic hinges for small boxes and housings to pin hinges for side doors or digital combination locks for low cost cabinet security. Typically smaller packaged and mobile equipment also requires recessed handles for manual handling and these traditional components are foreseen as continuing to fulfil the market need alongside their more sophisticated D-SNAP® variants.

Contact us to discuss how you can save up to 90% on your panel assembly time.

Our roller action Snap-Line® compression latch is believed to be a significant advance in compression lock technology. Combining as it does quick snap-in design and planetary roller cam motion which enables soft compression of door gaskets from 10mm to 20mm, this new half-turn IP65 latch is expected to find favour with designers, manufacturers and installers of vibration prone control equipment. This is likely to include construction machinery, process plant, motor vehicles, railway rolling stock, HVAC installations, much manufacturing equipment and materials handling machines where electrical or electronic enclosures are needed.

The elegant low profile latch utililises D·SNAP® technology for push-in IP65 assembly, either RH or LH as a complete pre-assembled unit without tools and with perfect alignment. Additionally, the unusual roller cam, combined with a powerful planetary action, ensures a firm gasket pull down with low operator effort. Panel gauges from 0.8mm to 3.5mm can be accommodated with industry standard square and double bit inserts offered as standard.

Please contact us for further information on this new product.

Despite the overarching presence of computer storage there is still a powerful need for hard copy plan drawings – in fact we have recognised that storage and easy visibility of flat plans in A2, A1 and A0 sizes can be a significant problem – a problem however readily addressed by our new offerings of the PRO Plan Filing System single end mounted pockets and the ECO system double end mounted units.

As Terry Cantle explains: “We have seen a demand for tidy storage of printed plan documents and found that the PRO and ECO products provide an excellent solution. Both ranges include wall mounting options with capabilities of 500 to 1000 sheets, while the PRO Clear-Desk System provides a way to co-locate a flat screen monitor adjacent to A1 and A2 hard copies on a desk based workstation.”

The new range also includes mobile stands for up to 2400 sheets and a Combi Mobile unit with suspended planholders back to back with shelves for books or lever arch file boxes.

Contact us now for details of this new plan filing system.

The Phoenix range of architectural hinges now available from ourselves at FDB Panel Fittings offers a varied approach to hinging of pedestrian access doors with a range of safety and security features such as anti-ligature radiuses, hinge leaf cover plates, built-in dog bolts and flush welded hinge pins. Security pinned hinges and concealed wire conductor hinges (for use with electronic entry controls) are further variations on the security theme.

We also see the traditional piano hinge as a popular solution to secure installation of architectural doors, whether in timber or steel, particularly in arduous, high security or vandal-proof applications since when installed hinge pin removal is virtually impossible.

The Phoenix range provides an extensive platform for many bespoke applications such as cranked and odd leaf hinges, special centred or offset leaves, profiled hinges for UPVC and composite frames, as well as storm proof hinges. Twin pin lift-off items and removable pins or journal supported hinges compliment decorative finial and parliament hinges. Several ranges are also available in solid brass or anti-microbial finishes in addition to many traditional special finishes.

Contact us for information on variants and custom configurations.

Designed for strength and attractive physical appearance the Phoenix range of heavy duty architectural hinges demonstrates a high degree of performance with EN1935 test performance from grades 1 to 14 and with CERTIFIRE approvals. They are suitable for applications such as department stores, schools, bank doors, offices and residential installations. These situations of course include external doors (circa 160kg), fire doors, internal doors and lightweight furniture/cupboards/wardrobes etc.

Variants within the FDB offering include the Loadmaster which is recommended for adjusted door weights up to and beyond 160kg, fitted with or without door closer devices, and annual usage up to 150,000 cycles. Dual bearing hinges – a hybrid five knuckle hinge incorporating two styles of bearing, plain knuckle bearings at the centre, and concealed or shrouded polymer bearings at the outer knuckle load bearing faces. Recommended for adjusted door weights up to 120kg, doors with or without all types of door closer and annual usage up to 200,000 cycles. Particularly suited for metal doorset applications.

The concealed bearing range incorporates a central knuckle on each hinge machined to take a stepped high technology polymer bush, requiring no lubrication and providing both vertical and lateral low friction with extremely low wear characteristics. Slimline hinges incorporate a unique design of solid extra deep turned phosphor bronze thrust washers and a slim knuckle diameter, resulting in a very aesthetically appealing product; they are suitable for 35mm to 54mm thick routinely used domestic, office and commercial doors.

Shrouded bearing types are lubrication free with high performance polymer bearings and smooth stainless steel washers to provide ball bearing levels of performance. Double washered hinges considerably enhance the performance of a plain bearing hinge by use of a pair of freely rotating stainless steel washers between each hinge knuckle. They are recommended for door weights of up to 60kg, with annual usage up to 25,000 cycles without or with only light duty door closer devices.

Plain knuckle hinges are suitable for use on a wide range of applications, including high quality joinery, such as cabinet and cupboard doors, through to internal dwelling doors. They are ideal where low door weight and low frequency of use are applicable.

Contact us for quotation or information on architectural hinges.

The market for most products is truly global these days – so it is that this SNAP-LINE flat swinghandle originally designed for a US requirement is now available with many advantages for UK specialist panel builders. This small, low profile swinghandle is ideal for enclosures and control panels where its “no-tools” snap-in fitment and resistance to vibration will be much 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 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.

See here for the SNAP-LINE range

Our recently introduced  IP65 1071 compression latch is especially compact – offering an unusually low profile of only 22mm in its open condition and yet providing 3mm of compression, thus enabling the benefits of compression lock technology to be achieved in situations where space is at a premium – such as vehicle applications or where an interior panel or other equipment requires clearance from the lock cam – yet another example of our philosophy following the theme  “Panel Fittings for Every Enclosure”.

The 1071 provides IP65 sealing and vibration proof operation in LH or RH orientation with quiet and secure fastening. Operation is by a ¼ turn which will latch the cam in position, followed by a further ¼ turn which completes the 3mm compression cycle. The pre-assembled 1071, together with rigid H section cam, may be quickly and toolessly installed in doors of up to 2mm thickness.

Please contact us for details of prices and delivery on the IP65 1071 latch.