Our aim in life here at FDB Panel Fittings, is largely to make things simple for our customers – we do this by staying human but using online technology – our Online store includes a great range of products including common and less common types of locks, handles, swinghandles, hinges and sealing/gasketing strips, all developed with the specialist panel builder in mind. Our role has grown over many years at the heart of the industrial enclosure and cabinet industry so our Online selection can be relied on to address the needs of industrial housing specifiers, builders and installers.

This also means that our team of humans has gathered a deep understanding of the applications and needs of specialist customers – an understanding we are delighted to share when project requirements call for something unusual, where we are well placed to explore specifications and supply options which can include our Rocfast assembly, packaging and logistics service.  We are happy to discuss online or by phone so customers can be comfortable that we properly understand your situation.

Our team would like to explain how the process of specifying a lock mechanism it is often an undervalued task where the selection of the correct cam to match the depth of door frame can be crucial to correct performance of the enclosure and achievement of the required IP degree of protection. This is also a significant component in producing the operational “feel” when closing a door and potentially in ensuring that the closure itself is properly secure.

The cam selected therefore should be suitable for the standard locks and handles used on industrial enclosures or cabinets – also for access and other equipment panels. We need to bear in mind that enclosures, cabinets and inspection/access panels are an important protective layer for both humans and equipment – so correct lock fitment is “key” to operation and longevity.

The selection of ex-stock cams available from the Panel Fittings Online store make this task more straightforward. Matching the offset of a cam with the lock body length is crucial to success of any enclosure installation – a process that Panel Fittings simplify for customers by offering their Rocfast assembly/logistics program. This service includes the ability to consult their experienced technical sales team to generate the right specification for each customer project. The follow up of lock assembly and delivery greatly simplifies supply of correctly specified and assembled units to production or on-site fitting.

For general purpose protection our FDB 11 and FDB 13 cover single and three phase protection respectively – each including overload and short circuit protection with DC Immune Protection which is Network Rail Approved.

Ratings range from 10A to 60A with tripping currents of 10mA, 30mA and 100mA. See here for data sheet 

At FDB Panel Fittings we are delighted to offer low-cost Universal Budget latches from our sales partner Weston Body Hardware – these latches, to a deadbolt design, are available ex-stock from our Online store in a traditional industry standard format manufactured in mild steel or stainless steel, for office and industrial workplace applications.

These Universal Budget Latches are great for storage units, furniture, enclosures, cabinets, meter boxes, windows, garage doors, HVACR, horse boxes and caravans. They are suited to large enclosures and cabinets, either individually or in a suite style configuration.

They feature simple robust construction in mild steel or stainless steel with fitment by screws, bolts or rivets. Their operation is achieved with a generic square key e.g. of tapered square design. For other applications they can also be matched with traditional T or L style handles which have a square drive shaft, with or without a cylinder lock for added security. Additional cams can allow the fitment of multi-point rod closure systems to provide multiple closure points.

Together with our sales partners at Weston Body Hardware we have a great offering of externally mounting lift-off hinges in traditional style black diecast with stud fixing for improved security and aesthetic along with a torpedo/bullet style in chrome.

External lift-off operation enables easy removal of doors for access to internal equipment during installation or maintenance. They provide a robust door mounting with an industrial aesthetic that suits heavy doors and multi-compartment cabinets with lay-on doors, which is ideal for industrial/commercial/office/retail enclosures for machine tool equipment – also factory controls, distribution panels, HVAC access, safety guards, IT/Telco cabinets, processing equipment and similar.

This popular range of hinges are now available ex-stock for urgent delivery from the FDB Online store. Mounting is by means of cast-in mounting studs which are simply inserted through pre-punched holes and secured with internal nuts. Installation can be arranged with both hinges oriented in the same direction for lift-off or with one up and one down to lock the door in place so it is not removable. Extra-large or heavy doors may be accommodated with three or four hinge units to provide additional capacity.

Other diecast hinges are offered in the associated range where butt hinges and pedestal hinges suit flush doors and internal hinges provide a fully concealed installation with separate screw fixing. Diecast hinges can be supplied in black or natural self-colour for overpainting to match the panel appearance. Internally mounted hinges do not lift off and are fixed with separate screws.

The associated torpedo style hinges (sometimes bullet or corner hinges) also feature a lift-off design. Manufactured in chrome finished zinc die, these rugged hinges are a great option for enclosures and cabinets where a practical yet attractive hinge is required.

These unusual hinges have a traditional style to suit an older design ethic, while providing a rugged hinge function with smooth appearance and simple installation. They present a quality hinge for a quality installation, and are also available ex-stock from our specialists Online store.

These popular ‘torpedo’ hinges are widely used for electrical cabinets and enclosures, allowing doors to be quickly mounted or removed from frames. The chromium-plated finish and 10 mm stainless steel pin give good resistance to normal environmental conditions. Left-hand and right-hand variants are stocked for online purchase and are available.

Doors can be arranged to lift-off when the fixed pin is located in the bottom half of both hinges, in which condition performance Rig-tests have shown that two hinges (on a 1-metre frame) carried a load of 60kg (130lb) without damage. Equivalent to a moment of force of 60NM (3.43KN). When a door is required to be permanently fixed, then the hinges should be installed with LH and RH together (opposed). Individual hinge installation is by simple plant-on positioning secured through countersunk holes in each hinge leaf. Availability is standard with bright chromium-plated finish (or raw for painting).

Well probably not Ghost Busters – but it would be worth a call to FDB Panel Fittings where we have expertise and stock to support you in your specialist enclosure and cabinet building.

So for gaskets, handles, locks, hinges, swinghandles and lots of other hardware see our Online store and for production quantities or lock assembly and kitting then contact us here.

We are pleased to offer ex-stock grab handles for industrial applications – enclosures, doors, drawers, access panels, carry cases, instrumentation, with good hand clearance and ergonomic design from Weston Body Hardware. Handles of this type are often the last component to be fitted and can be needed as a matter of urgency at the last minute to avoid delays in production or delivery – the FDB Panel Fittings Online store specialize in serving this need with rapid service on demand.

Bridge handles – also known as bow, grab, lift and “D” handles are a common component in industries such as mechanical engineering, sheet metal fabrication, HVAC, medical devices, food processing, rail transport and tunnelling, data centres and utilities. They are ideal for manual interactions offering a comfortable interface at the point of operator contact.

The 150mm ref 7/28745 handle is offered in zinc diecast material, polished and chrome plated for enhanced aesthetic appearance and endurance. On the other hand, the 190mm and 280mm moulded grab handles with steel core have black textured finish and countersunk fixings.

The FDB Online portfolio also encompasses large-scale tubular lift handles and small-scale finger pulls. Other D style bridge handles are available with front or rear fixings as required to meet aesthetic and security concerns.

It is a simple question and generally one that flies under the radar for engineers busy working on electrical/electronic systems – so we have tried to make life easy for our customers by collecting together a range of basic hardware that suits many – even most industrial enclosure and cabinet needs.

To that end we have ensured that our Online store carries hinges that bolt on and lift off for use outside the enclosure or inside, along with sealing gasket in self adhesive strips or clip on extrusions, plus latches and locks in quarter turn format with spanner lock inserts or with locking mechanisms.

Sometimes required are handles in differing designs – L or T or bridge or swinghandle. We aim to stock and deliver urgently so we can save customers time on assembly or installation.

We often get asked for handles so it is important to understand the what, where and why of the application. Generally they are needed for an enclosure or cabinet of some kind – wall or floor mounting – otherwise a varient like a desk or a machine housing, maybe an access panel on a specialist vehicle, or a drawer on an office desk.

So we have swing handles with locks and rod systems, also conventional L and T handles but often all that is required is a simple bridge or bow handle – perhaps to open against a magnetic catch or to lift an instrument or panel lid.

The variety is huge – so click here to see our online selection which we stock for urgent delivery.