If you’ve ever accidentally closed a door or panel with a traditional cam
latch in the closed position, then you know the damage that can occur over time to the door, frame or latch. I have been guilty of this many times myself…
Now, Southco has expanded its
E5 Cam Latch selection by adding intuitive
push-to close convenience to more than a dozen hand-, tool- and key-actuated models. The push-to-close design prevents damage to the latch regardless of the cam position during closing. A spring-loaded feature automatically engages the cam once it passes the edge of the keeper or frame.
What’s even better is that the new designs satisfy both single-point
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.
To discuss how the flexibility of the new
cam latch can enhance your application, send us an
email or post a comment.
Join Southco at the
IFSEC 2011 Tradeshow this week. We will be displaying our latest
Electronic Access Solutions at the Isonas booth, Hall 4 4/E160d.
Our Applications Engineers will be on hand to answer your toughest implementation challenges.
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you are unable to attend, feel free to email our customer service, available around the world 24/7. They are available to discuss electronic access solutions or any of Southco's 40,000
latches,
hinges, or
locks.
About IFSEC:
IFSEC is the largest annual security event in the UK.
This year's show saw IFSEC continue to offer unrivalled security solutions to more than 22,743 security professionals.
Dedicated to offering all things security, IFSEC offers you the full spectrum of security products and services available both in the UK and worldwide. Housing 600+ leading manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, the 2010 event had a global reach of over 22,743 attendees from 130 countries and was supported by all industry associations and countless media.
It's always nice when a respected publication like PD&D puts one of our new products on their
website.
The latest new product to be placed on their site is our
EA-KC2 Membrane Keypad Access Controller. This new keypad can adhere to a frame or door, inside or out. The ability to adhere or be molded into a wide variety of surfaces, combined with connecting it to any one of our
Electronic Latches or Locks brings electronic access to applications that would not have been possible just a few years ago.
Please leave a comment or
email us if you would like to hear about some examples of how this new technology is being used in the marketplace.
There is no question-- electronic record keeping is now the norm. But as the technology has advanced, so too has the opportunity to exploit it. Fortunately, a unique partnership has
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.
The db ServerRack access control system marries Southco’s proven
H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle with a built-in, multi-stage fingerprint verification and access control system from Digitus Biometrics. It sounds very “CSI,” but it’s actually quite simple and very effective.
The access control unit connects directly to a datacenter’s network via an
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.
To view Southco's entire line of Electronic Latches visit our new dedicated
Electronic Access Solutions Mini-site and download a copy of our
electronic latching guide.
The ocean can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful when it comes to the harsh effects the sea can have on hinges, latches and other boat hardware.
Southco understands the need for a reliable rotary latch that can withstand salt, sun and the damaging effects of water. Hence, the
Stainless Steel R4-10 was introduced. The new R4-10 features the same benefits of its zinc-plated predecessor with a finish that delivers durability and corrosion resistance. Constructed of 304 grade stainless steel, the latch can be used in demanding vandal-proof or watertight storage areas with the assurance that its construction meets marine requirements for performance and salt spray resistance. So no more rusted hardware!
The R4-10 even offers double stage latching for added security and functionality, so you can rest easy knowing that your belongings are secured against vandals. And a concealed latching option allows flexible styling while the latch accommodates misalignment for a flush, consistent look. The new
AC-M1 actuator makes a nice addition, too. It is constructed of 316 grade stainless steel and delivers corrosion resistance and enhanced security.
We want to hear from you! Contact us with your questions or comments on the stainless steel R4-10. Or to learn more about Southco’s line of rotary latches, email us or visit our site at
http://www.southco.com
It’s 2/3 the size of its big brother, features an integrated mechanical override and boasts a more efficient gear motor. Meet the Miniature E-Keeper System—a slimmed-down access solution that provides push-to-close operation in one unit.
This compact unit means that transitioning from mechanical solutions to electronic access solutions could not be simpler. It’s easy to install and can be added right to a frame for use with existing latches. If security is a major concern, it can mounted in a concealed location with remote mechanical override. Which means—yes—it is perfect for applications like medical storage units, postal terminals and other secured enclosures. Put simply, it is designed to simplify access while providing convenience, security and control.
Another great thing about the Mini? It’s flexible. So it’ll work with keypads, key fobs, card swipes…an array of different actuation devices. That versatility means you can integrate the specific level of secure access control you require. It accommodates multiple mounting configurations, too, so it can be easily integrated into existing designs. Ahh…secure electronic or manual operation without having to modify enclosure designs. That’ll make OEMs happy!
To share your thoughts on the E-Keeper or learn more about Southco’s complete system offerings, leave us a comment here. We’d love to hear from you!
Part 1 of a 2-part series on healthcare access hardware solutions
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.
Southco has designed its access systems (mechanical and electronic alike) to meet the healthcare industry’s strict measures for increased security and patient safety.
You can imagine the danger a hospital might face if its secure areas were easily
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.
To share your thoughts on healthcare industry challenges or learn more about Southco’s complete system offerings,
email us or
request your copy of Southco’s Healthcare Access Hardware Guide.
Coming Next: Part 2— Ergonomic solutions for the healthcare industry
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.
Data center managers have always protected their data through means of either physical and cyber access to server rooms and entry points. Our business development manager, Steve Spatig, spoke at the conference and discussed the importance of physical server security with the application of our electronic access systems. His discussion touched upon different methods of data access security while giving an overview of what is already available in the
electronic access market.
Look for a blog from my colleague
Maureen Donovan and what she saw at the show in the next few days. I am certain that it will be an entertaining post.
You can learn more about Southco's
Electronic Access Solutions and all of our other
latch and
hinge solutions at our website, www.southco.com.
DZUS flies high with Sally B
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.
Steve Carter, Flight Engineer and Deputy Engineering Supervisor explains how Southco has helped keep World War 2 bomber Sally B in the air.
Click here to read on!
This week
Southco will be exhibiting at the Innotrans Convention held in Berlin Germany from 21 - 24 September. Innotrans is an International Trade Fair for Transport Technology and has become established as an international industry showplace focusing on Railway Technology.
We'll can be found in
Hall 3.1 Stand 220. Stop by and see what over 60 years of constant innovation in compression latch technology can do for you. Our technical staff will be on hand to answer questions and help solve the most difficult application challenges you show them.
On display will be our
stainless steel compression latches,
electronic access solutions, and
position control technology.
We look forward to seeing you 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.
A mechanical rotary latch is commonly opened with a cable that is routed to it from an
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.
Perhaps you have an application where multiple latches are connected to the same keypad or controller. Or an application where you do not want a door ejected by the latch. Or maybe vandal resistance is a key concern driving latch selection. Well, Southco’s Delayed Re-lock R4-EM takes the versatile rotary latch technology of its predecessor and marries it with the ability to control the unlock time.
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.
To share your thoughts on the R4-EM rotary latch or learn more about Southco’s complete Electronic Access offerings, email us or visit our site at http://www.southco.com
Part 3 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components
Anyone who has spent a long day in the cab of an off-highway vehicle knows the importance of comfort, convenience and safety. So it’s not surprising that Southco has developed our products for these vehicles with ergonomics as a top priority.
Streamlined
position control hinges allow for precise control of the cab environment—the perfect angle of the armrest or the most ideal position of LCD touch screens. And a broad range of access hardware means everything is securely stored and won’t go tumbling out every time you hit a bump. Southco also incorporates easy accessibility into its access hardware, so you won’t have to stretch and strain to reach to a stored item. This attention to detail plays an important role in enhancing the total experience of owning and operating off-highway vehicles.
Southco’s standard and custom designed tilt and swivel mechanisms provide multi-axis control for raising, rotating and positioning display screens. And
quarter-turn fasteners range from lightweight plastic fasteners to heavy-duty stainless steel varieties so the right fastener can be found to suit your application’s requirements.
To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco’s complete system offerings, email us or
download your copy of our Design Guide today.
Part 2 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.
If you work in the off-highway or construction industries, then it won’t be hard to imagine a piece of equipment hauling several tons of excavated material over the uneven terrain of a construction site. A lot of energy can be translated through the vehicle while on site. Keeping access panels and doors closed requires hardware that is designed for these situations. Southco's
folding t-handle compression latches have been engineered to withstand high loads, shock and vibration. These types of latches feature a rugged “lift and turn” operation that promises both dependability and a comfortable grasp.
To avoid having to worry about a stone or a piece of debris disabling your ability to open a door or access panel, a concealed rotary latch is an ideal solution. Paired with a cable system and a
remote actuator, these latches offer the convenience of push button actuation and the confidence of positive latch engagement.
Southco’s
chassis solutions are designed to ensure rugged durability in harsh conditions. When you latch a hood, it will stay latched. (No more rattling!) And you will enjoy convenient access for engine covers, storage compartments and access panels.
To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco’s complete system offerings, email us or
download your copy of our Design Guide today.
Coming Next: Part 3— Off-highway Interiors: Safety, Comfort and Convenience
Part 1 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components
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.
If you’ve operated multiple vehicles on a job site, then you know the joy of multiple keys. Not exactly convenient. Electronic key systems allow operators different access privileges across a large number of vehicles. A key fob, information reader and validation controller all work together seamlessly with Southco electromechanical locks so users can program, add and delete keys with the simple press of a button. Security and convenience in one!
Southco’s actuators and latches are designed to ensure durability and ergonomic comfort in heavy duty vehicles and equipment. Corrosion-resistant products mean you won’t see rust and deterioration, and push-to-close convenience ensures you won't break a sweat struggling to close a squeaking door.
Let’s face it; it’s not always easy to choose the right latch, the right actuator and the right cables. So rather than just offering a latch, Southco offers a complete system. To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco’s complete system offerings, email us or download your copy of our Design Guide today.
Coming Next: Part 2— Chassis Components for a Rugged Environment
Our team will be walking the
2010 Windpower Conference this week. They'll be there to discuss Southco's upcoming
latch and
hinge designs that are in the works for the alternative energy industry.
Feel free to say hello and let us know what you're working on!
This week Design News announced its Annual
Best New Products Awards finalists and winners. Two Southco products were named as finalists in the Fastening and Joining Category; The Electromechanical Swing Handle and the Dynamic Mounting Arm.
Southco’s H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle provides efficient electronic access security to datacenter cabinets and industrial enclosures. Integrated sensors and multiple output signals provide data for both local and remote monitoring. The H3-EM can be integrated with industry standard rack monitoring solutions with a simple retrofit. The efficient microprocessor-controlled gear motor design ensures minimal power consumption and multi-event status reporting.
Southco’s AV-D30 Dynamic Mounting Arm provides integrated positioning technology that enables the arm to function efficiently in applications needing a robust, stable solution. The constant torque, user-friendly positioning features full tilt, swivel and swing out adjustments. Additionally, the arm can withstand touch forces, vibration and heavy loading.
While neither product won the category, our design teams are honored to have two of our new products selected as finalists by Design News. We look forward to competing again next year!
If you are interested in seeing any of the other 25 new latches, hinges, or fasteners that we launched in the past year,
click here.
Remote Monitoring Solutions
Part 3 of a 3-part series on Electronic Access Solutions
It might be a simple indicator light or a sophisticated monitoring system. Whatever the choice, a remote monitoring solution is the final piece to a full Electronic Access Solution (EAS).
So how does it work? Let’s take Southco’s H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle as an example. In this scenario, the Swinghandle provides electronic access security to datacenter cabinets. Its integrated sensors and multiple output signals provide data for both local and remote monitoring. The swinghandle can be integrated with industry standard rack monitoring solutions with a simple retrofit, and the microprocessor-controlled gear motor design ensures minimal power consumption and multi-event status reporting.
The possibilities with today’s remote monitoring solutions are endless. You can provide an electronic “signature” each time a lock is actuated. Combined with a unique input credential, the system can provide the necessary output to networked systems to control and monitor access from any remote location. You can use an EAS with an existing networked control system that is down the hall or across the globe. And we can help.
If you'd like to get started on an electronic access solution integration, be sure to check out our new EAS Guide. It will walk you through the basic components you will need for your system. Once you know what you want, contact our dedicated design team with your design requirements so we can help get your project rolling!
If an Electronic Access Solution is not what you are looking for right now, you can always check out our complete line of
latches, hinges, or captive fasteners.
Starting today, March 1st, and running through Wednesday, March 4th, our design and business teams will be attending the HIMSS10-Healthcare IT Conference and Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia. They will be walking the show and talking with customers regarding their needs for monitor arms and electronic access solutions.
We look forward to meeting with any of you visiting the Georgia World Congress Center for what promises to be an exciting event. We're there to help with any access hardware or position control challenges you are facing so don't be shy! Let us know how we can help.
Part 2 of a 3-part series on Electronic Access Solutions
So you’ve chosen the appropriate electromechanical lock or latch (EML) for your application. As we discussed before, your selection will dictate the ultimate design of the end product. As the heart of any system, the EML is critical to the overall quality of any Electronic System.
That brings us to the next step in the process: choosing an access control device to suit your application’s needs. Today’s marketplace offers a wide variety of devices— from simple standalone keypads to RF remote control systems. As the human interface piece of a complete Electronic Access Solution, the access control device holds great importance in both its benefits and styling. It reduces costs associated with mechanical key distribution, tracking and replacement issues. It streamlines access control. And it provides the versatility of an electronic interface.
A self-contained solution, such as a keypad, can offer basic plug-and-play access control without the need for software or network administration. Users have the convenience of not having to carry a physical key or device, the ability to manage and monitor unique user access codes, and the flexibility to change codes without physically distributing new keys or access devices. Proximity based and remote RF control systems are wireless solutions that can simplify security for both large and small organizations. They offer hands-free convenience and the ability to open locks and latches without physical contact.
Southco's latest access control option is the electronic key. This little device if especially useful with applications that feature many users with differing access privileges across a large number of enclosures. If you haven't seen one before, it looks a lot like the key fob 
you probably use to unlock your car. It fits snugly in your hand, is easy to program and provides simple key code management without the need to stock multiple key codes. Just press it against the remote sensor and the EML will open. (We have a few demo panels of the electronic key system in the office and I have to admit...they are pretty fun to play with. Unfortunately this can be annoying to the EML design engineers so they deactivated my key to the demo panels!)
Whatever the need, there's an access control solution suited to our application.
To share your thoughts on Access Control or learn more about Southco’s offerings, email us or visit our site at http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/Access-Control-Device.aspx
Coming Next: Part 3—Remote Monitoring Solutions
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