We are pleased to announce that we now offer a full range of DIRAK hardware components for the mechanical engineering environment, and as protective security solutions, many of which are now available ex-stock online for urgent delivery. For example, in addition to secure compression and multi-point latches, the E-LINE product range also offers a mechatronic locking solution for machine management providing the user with the highest levels in safety.
Convenience and safety are primary concerns where enclosure safety is involved and are addressed by provision of clear visual indicators of locking status which increase security and saves time on additional checks. Therefore, various locking status displays have been incorporated into this range of hardware products for easier and faster verification/confirmation. This is achieved by use of LED modules which blink in the open state, symbols pictured on the housings and/or protective caps that are “open” in the open position.
Compression locks provide secure gasket pull down with vibration resistant operation as well as providing large force transmission. Other locking systems incorporate smart accessories that provide access control especially suited to data centre cabinets.
With the combined expertise of our team in modular systems, we can find the perfect solution for specific applications, with a particular focus on the following end-product requirements: mounting holes, inserts/adapters, door size/door thickness, sheet metal thickness, installation type (bolts, weld-on, tool-less).
This pairing with market leading sales partners engenders confidence that our hardware offering meets all safety, security, and flexibility requirements such as Machinery Directive 2006/42/EG Other features include: Load change, Water and dust protection, Grounding and Vibration resistance.
Our sales partner DIRAK has developed flat Compression Lever Latches that are a snap to install: They are also vibration-proof and for lighter applications, we can also offer the clip-in version made of PA .
Rod locking is sometimes essential on larger doors either for access security or to ensure even gasket compression and thereby sealing integrity of the cabinet so we make things easier by having a range of standard length rod kits available ex-stock for urgent delivery from our Online store.
To complement these rod sets a range of locking handles is available from L or T types to robust swinghandle designs with three way cams.
Our team here at FDB Panel Fittings have recently explained that they focus much attention on the transportation industry where sales partners DIRAK have developed individual solutions for railway applications over the last few decades.
This has called for the highest levels of safety and vibration resistance at fast/high speeds coupled with consideration for the lifespan of rail vehicles which require high-quality, durable, and long-lasting products that always guarantee a secure connection in every environment of rail applications. This includes the need for clear visual indication of locking status which increases security and saves time on additional checks. The FDB team therefore advise locks in railway vehicles that provide clear displays for the train operators and passengers so they can easily and quickly confirm all products’ locked status.
In particular many rail installations call for exceptional weather resistance, since all products installed on the exterior of rail vehicles are exposed to extreme weather conditions including dirt and pollution, temperature changes, UV radiation.
These external factors demand high-quality materials and durable construction so they can offer solutions that can withstand the conditions of each respective environment and guarantee/ensure safe functionality. For example, Fire Protection in accordance with DIN EN 45545-3 since the most common causes of rail vehicle fires are arson, negligence, or defects in the electrical systems. A test scenario was developed for these types of emergency cases by exposing multiple products in various applications to temperatures up to 1,000°C for different lengths of time. It was explained that a variety of products have undergone this test and have received a certificate for meeting the requirements of classification E60 (equivalent to 60 minutes at 1,000°C).
Hardware products with compression as a feature are often called for in railway applications since they offer users maximum convenience while simultaneously applying uniform pressure, and ensuring your application is perfectly sealed. They can protect the critical infrastructure from the ingress of dirt, dust, and water. While offering vibration and shock resistance. This is especially important since the long lifespan of rail vehicles requires high-quality products with special properties that can withstand high vibration and shock environments. A requirement that calls for great emphasis on shock and vibration resistance and testing to ensure that they comply with basic standards such as DIN EN 61373.
These new DIRAK over-centre toggle latches offer a high retaining force with low manual effort, simply by tightening two spring loaded components together and locking them: This is what the clip-on PA Over Center Toggle Latch 6-240 provides, plus tool-less installation. The stainless steel variant 7-320 with push button unlocking is also said to be very impressive and the latch 7-320.01 features an additional spring clamp.
Over-centre toggle catches of this type are useful for enclosure doors, machine access panels, equipment housings, packing cases and other similar applications where low cost with rapid operation and firm closure are required. In particular the 6-240 Polyamide (PA) Secure toggle latch saves time and assembly costs with clip-in toolless assembly to provide secure clamping via the over-centre mechanism which offers a max. closing force of 250N. When used on sheet metal thicknesses from 1.2 to 3mm assembly is a simple three step process:
- Guide the closing hook and the latch under the door panel and clip them in place.
- Hook the latch into the closing hook.
- Press the latch down and tighten it.
7-320 and 730.01 in stainless steel offer attractive aesthetics combined with vibration-proof operation and quick push button release – a padlockable version is also available for situations where additional security is required. Contact us for further information.
We now offer Gasket, Sealing profiles, window sealing and associated accessories for virtually all industrial applications. A selection of commonly used profiles in a variety of materials is available ex-stock for urgent delivery from our Online store.
For other requirements such as where electromagnetic compatibility is necessary, we can also supply special profiles with EMC/RFI shielding in combination with water and dust sealing.
Custom profile profiles are also possible to suit specialist designs or for more complex applications.
For further information, refer to our Knowledge Base article KB01.1
Snapline products from our sales partner DIRAK have been developed using their D-Snap technology in order to fit pre-punched locations with a simple push fit. The range includes quarter turn locks and matching hinges that provide robust fixing suitable for enclosures and cabinets – a selection is available ex-stock from our Online store for urgent delivery. A range of other Snapline components are also available including swinghandles – for details please contact us.
We are aware of the increasing popularity of stainless steel as the go-to material where an application calls for robust strength and corrosion resistance so our Online store now carries a selection of ex-stock enclosure hinges in this material. We are pleased to offer blind fixing hinges, also weld on hinges and versions with removable hinge pins to facilitate easy door removal, along with conventional countersunk screw fixings – all ex-stock for rapid delivery.
2-3% of cars are presently electric with a government mandate that no new petrol or diesel cars may be sold from 2030. A major factor is the problem of range anxiety and long journey negative experiences with the existing infrastructure that are exerting constant pressure to achieve a charging infrastructure to compare with petrol and diesel. We can compare this with the early days of internal combustion when fuel was only available in jars from a Chemist.
As electric cars become more widely used, the network of e-charging stations is therefore continuously expanding. Currently it is reported that there are only 42000 public charging stations in the UK with some 94 cars per single fast charging point. This is a fast-growing landscape of housings that require a robust latching solution to reliably protect the power connections of the charging poles to the associated equipment and to ensure suitable protection against the weather and vandalism.
Charging stations for electric cars are located largely in publicly accessible outdoor areas where they are exposed not only to the effects of weather, but also to vandalism. To protect these housings which are so important for the infrastructure against this kind of damage, the switch cabinets should be securely locked. Handles have been developed for this purpose that meet the requirements of resistance class RC2 similar to DIN 1630 and are thus able to withstand vandalism damage by opportunists.
However, there is no requirement that e-charging poles in line with RC2 have to be locked. Thus, many other swinghandles and latches are also suitable. It is important to use a latch with a profile cylinder to make certain it is not too easy to break into the charging station. If several groups of persons need to have access, for example two different service providers, we recommend a double cylinder swinghandle with pivotable operating lever.
Sturdy Material is clearly required for this application and it has been found that latching solutions made of powder-coated zinc die or stainless steel have proven to be effective. These materials offer protection against the weather and are so sturdy that it is difficult for opportunistic vandals to break open or saw through the latches.
The same applies to hinges in these applications where concealed hinges inside the housing are recommended. That means opportunistic vandals are frustrated as they are unable to see where the hinges are fitted.
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.
