Part 2 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges
Last week we discussed how strength is often one of the first considerations when choosing a hinge. But just how strong a hinge do you need?
Here at Southco we use four factors that can help when getting started.
1. Weight: Determine the weight of the door. If you can’t physically weigh the door on a scale, a quick estimate can be calculated with the following formula: length x width x height x density. The heavier the door, the stronger the hinge you will need.
2. Center of Gravity: Determine the center of gravity (Cg) of the door. If the door is uniformly thick, the Cg will lie dead center. Unfortunately, most doors aren’t uniform.
So here’s a few simple steps for determining the Cg, regardless of door shape.
(A) Hang the door from one corner so it pivots freely
(B) Attach a plumb line to the pivot so the line hangs freely
(C) Mark the line on the door
(D) Repeat twice more, hanging the door from a different corner each time
The Cg is where all three lines intersect.
3. External Loads: Consider the added weight of components that might be fastened to the door: electronics, cooling equipment, hooks, etc. And don’t forget loads applied by wind, moving objects or forces generated by gasket compression or pressure within an enclosure.
4. Test: Whenever possible, test the hinge in the application. Variations in mounting and build tolerances often mean that one hinge takes the brunt of the load. We need each hinge to share equally in the effort!
Next week: Considering overall design and deciding between concealed and externally mounted hinges.
Last week we discussed how strength is often one of the first considerations when choosing a hinge. But just how strong a hinge do you need? Here at Southco we use four factors that can help when getting started.
1. Weight: Determine the weight of the door. If you can’t physically weigh the door on a scale, a quick estimate can be calculated with the following formula: length x width x height x density. The heavier the door, the stronger the hinge you will need.
2. Center of Gravity: Determine the center of gravity (Cg) of the door. If the door is uniformly thick, the Cg will lie dead center. Unfortunately, most doors aren’t uniform.
So here’s a few simple steps for determining the Cg, regardless of door shape.
(A) Hang the door from one corner so it pivots freely
(B) Attach a plumb line to the pivot so the line hangs freely
(C) Mark the line on the door
(D) Repeat twice more, hanging the door from a different corner each time
The Cg is where all three lines intersect.
3. External Loads: Consider the added weight of components that might be fastened to the door: electronics, cooling equipment, hooks, etc. And don’t forget loads applied by wind, moving objects or forces generated by gasket compression or pressure within an enclosure.
4. Test: Whenever possible, test the hinge in the application. Variations in mounting and build tolerances often mean that one hinge takes the brunt of the load. We need each hinge to share equally in the effort!
Next week: Considering overall design and deciding between concealed and externally mounted hinges.
It is not uncommon to wait until the last minute to incorporate 
How much load will the hinges bear? And many times it’s not just the weight of a door but all external sources of load. Will equipment be mounted on the door? Make sure to account for dynamic loading. 
Now, Southco has expanded its 
and two-point latching options. We all like convenience, and our cam latch installations should be no different! A latched/unlatched status indicator provides users with quick visual confirmation of latch status, too, so there is no more guesswork about whether your panel or door is secured. 
Whether your application is office furniture, an RV or an electronic enclosure, the E5 has a design and configuration to fit your needs. Simplicity, versatility and flexibility. 
Our Applications Engineers will be on hand to answer your toughest implementation challenges.
It's always nice when a respected publication like PD&D puts one of our new products on their 
resulted in the industry’s first biometric-integrated latch for computer server racks. Southco has teamed with Digitus Biometrics to secure data right down to the rack level in datacenters.
ordinary connector. User access to cabinets is then managed from a single desktop. No more keys, cards or PIN pads. And 100% accurate validation! Interfaced with a monitoring network, the system can remotely account for all rack activity, including who accessed it, when it was accessed and the duration. An audit trail has never been simpler. The new db ServerRack access control system includes all needed software and is easily and conveniently retrofitted into existing enclosures. 
This compact unit means that transitioning from mechanical solutions to 
We all know that safety and security are paramount concerns for the healthcare industry. Providers need to restrict access to patient records, medications and equipment. They need to ensure regulatory compliance. And they often need the ability to monitor systems remotely. It’s a challenge. And it’s one that Southco takes seriously.
compromised. Whether it’s quarter-turn locks or advanced compression and push-to-close latches, Southco’s mechanical access solutions ensure that information, medication and supplies stay protected. Locks are robust and vandal-resistant, and flexible Key Choice systems offer different locking options. Automatic locking, multipoint systems and stainless steel construction are all features of various mechanical solutions. 
But there are instances when managing physical keys is simply not practical or when dealing with HIPAA requirements. Electronic access solutions such as keypads, electronic keys and RF-based proximity card readers eliminate mechanical keys and work with existing networks. Providers can use these components for remote monitoring, electronic signature and audit trails. What’s also nice is that electronic locks offer programmability that enables automatic relocking, time delays and other unique requirements. 
Data Center World, presented by Afcom hosted their 30 year anniversary tradeshow conference this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada on October the 5th. Data Center World is widely considered as the premier tradeshow for central data managers and industry leaders. The conference focuses on data center management and alternatives to securing data within servers through physical and cyber means. 
Recently, Southco helped retrofit a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber that operates from the Imperial War Museum at Duxford in Cambridgeshire, UK with new Dzus Fasteners.
This week 
Most of us operated a rotary latch the last time we opened a car door. It holds the door tight when closed but can be opened with a simple pull on the car handle. Seems pretty easy, right? So do we really need to hook wires up to it and have a motor open it for us? Well, in a lot of cases…yes! The simple addition of electronics to a standard rotary latch opens a new world of possibilities. 
actuator, usually a handle or button. Depending on the cable routing and the closing force of the latch, it may require a significant amount of effort to open. An electronic rotary latch is actuated by a signal rather than a cable. The gear-motor drive opens the latch with a push of a button, which makes it an ideal fit for applications with high loads or long cable runs. 
The new version electrically unlocks to enable manual release. A signal is sent to the latch and the trigger is moved to the unlocked position for as long as the signal is present. So a door can remain open or closed for as long as you wish. When the signal is removed, the trigger moves back to the locked position so the door can be pushed closed and secured. It’s as simple as that. And the benefits are plentiful, including low power consumption, high load capability, optional feedback and simple installation. There is nothing else available that provides the performance of this latch in such a compact size. It’s got a lot of punch in an efficient package. 
Wind Energy… Firmly entrenched in Europe wind energy is an exciting opportunity for North America and beyond. And boy, did the 2010 Wind Power Show in Dallas indicate that. Over 20,000 attendees and nearly 1400 exhibitors representing companies from countries all over the world including Germany, Spain, Italy, India, Canada, China, Korea and many others. And the diversity of the offerings was immense… from the largest wind turbines you have ever seen, to the ladders and hoists that allow access and service, to the components inside the turbine that control pitch, power conversion, etc, to the trucking and transport companies responsible for transporting these large turbines and blades across the country.
So let’s talk about the exhibitors. The turbines are unbelievably large. Anyone who has ever seen a wind turbine across a field has little idea of the magnitude of these structures. Or of a single blade. Or of the nacelle. These structures make people look like ants! All of the major manufacturers were there and it was impressive group.
shop regionally, and thus need local suppliers in each region.
Part 3 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components
Flying stones and sand. Extreme temperatures. Harsh vibration and corrosion. Most off-highway vehicles endure an endless assault from their environment. Southco understands the unique stresses of the off-highway industry and has crafted its chassis access hardware to be robust and reliable. 
It might not be a Mercedes, but it just might cost as much! Off-highway vehicles and machinery are not cheap, so security is an obvious necessity. And anyone who has worked with off-highway equipment knows that convenience and durability are also paramount. Southco recognizes the challenges of marrying these features together in reliable, affordable entry door components.
Our team will be walking the 
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