FDB Panel Fittings

  Offering IP65/67 protection and status visibility by virtue of its zinc die cover flap, which only closes when the latch is fully compressed, is the new DIRAK 1-075 compression latch from FDB Panel Fittings.

Designed for surface mounted doors on specialist enclosures, the 4-124 120° concealed hinge from FDB Panel Fittings also includes cabinets where it enables easy door removal and re-fitting without the loss of the securely retained hinge pin.

When vibrating machines are mounted they often require the vibration to be damped out for the benefit of personnel or adjacent equipment. Likewise, delicate machines and instruments require to be isolated from external vibration – the Harter F100 damper from FDB does this.

The Giussani M5R T handle from FDB Panel Fittings provides enhanced security with protection against accidental opening of cabinets/enclosures/storage lockers which may be subject to vibration or sudden bumps, perhaps on trucks or trains.

The Nippi trike – a unique wheelchair accessible vehicle has recently been re-designed and re-launched – as part of this process Michael Barnes, M.D. of Nippi Cars Ltd, sought to improve the convenience and sealing of the storage compartments on either side of the vehicle. Consequently, long-term suppliers FDB Panel Fittings were called in to provide a hardware solution – which came in the form of their Large Friction Hinge and A1 Compression Lock.

The Giussani NIA102 from FDB Panel Fittings provides the extra security of a “crown” key in an IP65 quarter-turn lock format which is more resistant to being forced than other traditional key types, by virtue of its narrow circular design. A particular feature is that the key is not removable in the lock open position so reducing the possibility of a cabinet door being left open.

The FDB range of standard 180° die cast butt hinges are now available ex-stock from the FDB Online Store.

Convenient quarter-turn wing handles have become a mainstay for convenient operation of enclosure doors and a full range is now available ex-stock and online from FDB Panel Fittings.

L handles for specialist cabinet manufacturers are now available ex-stock and online from the FDB Online Store. Many types and sizes are offered with/without locking options or with padlock facility. Typical applications include furniture, electrical enclosures, electronic cabinets, specialist motor vehicles, railway rolling stock and similar.

FDB Panel Fittings together with sister company FDB Electrical will be exhibiting their range of enclosure related products and services at the Southern Manufacturing Show in Farnborough on February 10-12th, 2015.  

The FDB range of self-gripping extruded gasket has served specialist enclosure and cabinet builders well for many years, but fitting to square corners has always involved either cutting or deforming the gasket so limiting the sealing degree achievable.

FDB’s Rocfast program saves time, money and mistakes by guiding customers through the process of specification, component matching, ordering, assembly, packaging and logistics – direct to site – worldwide. Now it covers the extra sealing requirements of high degrees of dust and water protection up to IP66 and IP67. Most common lock applications require the lower levels of IP54, however in external use IP65 may be needed and for harsh external or heavy hose down areas, then IP66 or IP67 is appropriate. IP67 entails submersion testing for even greater peace of mind.

The new 72 series spring hinges from FDB Panel Fittings suit doors and opening panels in environments from domestic to office and industrial. With an attractive concealed spring, butt type design and black or clear corrosion resistant anodised finish, their looks match their performance whether used on furniture, filing cupboards or machine control cabinets.

The new padlockable 3-145 eject and turn T handle from FDB Panel Fittings is tamper proof and offers water and dust protection to IP65. The design and layout of the T handle, in combination with the very narrow gap dimensions, make this handle resistant to tampering, and in addition the low profile design prevents the handle being used as a climbing step/aid.

The new D-SNAP technology handbook available from FDB Panel Fittings illustrates how this innovative fixing and assembly system for the sheet metal and panel building industries can save time and money without using tools for construction of enclosures and mounting of hardware such as handles, hinges etc.

Our friends at FDB Panel Fittings 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”.

The new Type 1414 camlock from FDB Panel Fittings has been designed especially to be capable of withstanding exposure in the harshest environments for use in any environment that may be exposed to the elements; specifically roadside cabinets, communications pods, cable pillars and commercial vehicle security.

For the marine contractor tasked with fitting out a Bahamas based ferry there was the little problem of a glitch in the supply chain - with a need for a complete fit of special cabinet locks for the personal storage areas – and the locks had to be on board in two days.

FDBs Rocfast program is a new service which is expected to save time, money and mistakes by offering quality locks assembled and delivered direct from the Panel Fittings experts at FDB - including all major market leading industry brands. The FDB Rocfast lock assembly service is designed to take the hard work out of an order process that often requires specification of individual lock components and time consuming self-assembly prior to installation. The FDB expert team rapidly identify the optimum specification of components then order, assemble and deliver to site, to workshop or to metal former/subcontractor in line with their theme of providing “Panel Fittings for every Enclosure”.

It has come to the attention of the engineers at FDB Panel Fittings that assembly of cabinets for electronic equipment can be a significant bottleneck in the production process 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 actually offers very high quality outcomes with assembly time reduction in the order of 90%.