Southco Europe Ltd

Owners of mobile plant equipment are plagued by theft, so must invest heavily to try and minimise this happening. However, the need for convenient access means that a single key code is often used for a number of vehicles - making a thief´s job easier. Around only 5% of stolen plant equipment is ever recovered so owners are keen to increase protection but without sacrificing flexibility. Engineered access solutions specialist Southco has an answer: it is working with equipment manufacturers to develop keyless entry systems - similar to the wireless keyfob used to open your car - that trigger an electro-mechanical latch. Each vehicle can then have a unique entry code, yet still be easily accessible to authorised people. As an added benefit, the locking mechanism can be incorporated within the vehicle, so there is no visible lock for a thief to target. Such systems could be designed directly into the machinery, rather than being added as a retrofit device.

An expanded selection of Southco E5 Cam Latches now adds intuitive push-to-close convenience to the existing versatility and affordability of this modular line. Styling and access control options include hand-, tool-, and key-actuated models. The new designs satisfy both single-point and two-point latching installations across a variety of commercial applications ranging from light-duty use with covers and access panels in HVAC, office furniture, and industrial machinery, to storage compartments in recreational vehicles and bus, truck, or railway applications.

Market trend data confirms that, despite the challenging economy, more data centres are placing expansion firmly on their corporate agenda for 2010, and beyond.

An increasing number of European healthcare industry specialists are predicting that legislation will soon be tightened right across the health industry in Europe to increase security through stricter controls of access to drugs and patients’ records. Primarily, this is being driven by the US healthcare reform bill and an increased focus on healthcare regulations for security and privacy – such as HIPAA and related EC Directives on Data Protection. One company committed to help the European medical industry meet the current and predicted standards for safety, speed and precision, is global engineered access hardware specialist Southco.

For machine builders worldwide, operator safety is of paramount concern. Now, with the advent of the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC which became effective on December 29, 2009, safety attitudes are further emphasised. The latest legislation, which is concerned with the mechanical and electrical safety of machines, represents a consistent message of safety for machine builders across Europe - they must design safeguards to protect equipment operators, while providing service that minimises downtime! In this context, machinery is described as “an assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, with the appropriate actuators, control and power circuits etc joined together for a specific application, in particular for the processing, treatment, moving or packaging of a material”.

The SOUTHCO® N2 Compression Latch is now available in a medium size to complement the existing standard size latch. The heavy-duty, lift-and-turn N2 compression latches provide durable construction, simple mechanical action and consistent pull-up compression for snug closure.

Around seven years ago engineering access solutions specialist, Southco, embarked on a mission to become a global and full service supplier to the off-highway industry. Today, with all the boxes ticked, the company can now offer off-highway OEMs with an entire access hardware platform - and the ability to customise a total solution. From initial concept design through to testing and manufacturing, Southco’s full-service offering covers access points and user ‘Touch Points’ for all interior, chassis and entry applications associated with off-highway vehicles and equipment.

The SOUTHCO® N2 Compression Latch is now available in a medium size to complement the existing standard size latch. The heavy-duty, lift-and-turn N2 compression latches provide durable construction, simple mechanical action and consistent pull-up compression for snug closure.

All sectors of industry are being forced to review and re-shape their strategies and operations in order to meet the challenges thrown up by tough market conditions resulting from the economic downturn. In the global off-highway industry, many of the issues facing OEMs and end-users impact on OH vehicles and equipment and necessitate a change in focus in their design, functionality, technology and manufacture.

Engineered access solutions specialist, Southco, is the preferred supplier to a wide range of industries where the supply partnership calls for a high level of technological innovation. This is particularly evident in the medical industry where Southco, working in partnership with global manufacturers in medical engineering, is leading the way in latching and hinging, and increasing its presence in positioning control.

The new Southco® R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch combines robust rotary latch security and electronic access convenience in a single integrated solution. Unlike a standard mechanical latch linked with a separate solenoid actuator, the gear-motor drive in the R4-EM delivers a better feel to latch actuation and is more efficient in terms of lower power requirements and higher load capability. This provides versatility for performance across a wide range of applications from storage compartments on truck, bus, off-highway, construction, and agricultural vehicles, to RV baggage doors, to storage compartments or access doors on medical, electronics, self-service, and industrial equipment.

For machine builders worldwide, operator safety is of paramount concern. They must design safeguards to protect equipment operators, while providing service access that minimises downtime. Within the European Union, the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC going into effect on December 29, 2009 is part of an approach to harmonise standards and establish the regulatory foundation for health and safety requirements of machinery throughout that market. This directive serves the dual function of promoting free movement of machinery for sale throughout the EU market while ensuring appropriate levels of protection for workers and citizens – including requirements for attaching protective devices such as fixed, adjustable, and movable guards for restricting access.

Southco® has announced a new family of inject/eject mechanisms for circuit boards to satisfy the specifications of CompactPCI (cPCI) applications with ergonomic operation. A broad, easy to grasp handle design provides ample grip while an intuitive release action with a low operating force simplifies the user experience. As the cPCI circuit board is inserted into the backplane connector, the inject/eject handles engage with the mounting rail to ensure a positive connection.

The Southco® Key-Choice System provides a comprehensive solution to the common problem of coordinating keylocking latches and key codes to meet end-use requirements. By separating the key code specification decision from the latch specification decision, the Southco Key-Choice System offers flexible options for managing security.

Southco Marine has introduced two new technology options, each using a combination of 316 stainless steel and nylon to reduce weight in a variety of corrosion-resistant thru-hull designs. The new Nysteel and Stalon product lines, which provide practical solutions for the harshest marine environments, also feature standard sizes of round or oval stainless steel exterior flanges to present a more consistent aesthetic look throughout all applications on a vessel.

Multiple additions to the line of Southco® F6 Concealed, Removable Style Hinges enhance user options for durable and corrosion-resistant performance, along with the aesthetics of concealed mounting and the convenience of tool-free door removal. Removable and retractable hinge-pin options simplify door removal for easier access, while all-metal designs in a range of sizes provide more choices for strength and durability across a wider variety of enclosures and industrial equipment.

The new line of Southco® PT Tubular-Key Cam Locks brings a higher level of security to the simplicity of cam lock applications. It features the enhanced performance of a 7-pin tumbler lock design and tubular keys to provide an affordable solution that makes it more difficult to compromise the lock. Multiple housing and cam options make it easy to satisfy a wide variety of enclosure door configurations in applications ranging from industrial, electronics, or medical equipment to consumer applications such as furniture, recreation vehicles, or vending equipment in self-service environments.