Product category:
Springs, dampers, latches, locks and small components
News Release from: Southco | Subject: Lever latch
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 05 July 2002
Design and functionality combine in
latch choice
Pinguely-Haulotte chose a Southco sealed lever latch to use on access door applications on its new range of articulated work platforms.
In the off-highway and construction equipment industry, requirements such as operator safety, machine reliability and durability, and increasingly restrictive environmental regulations are creating numerous challenges for today's equipment manufacturers Design cycles must constantly be reduced, and competition is increasing exponentially
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 20 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Multipoint latch actuated by single handle pull
Southco's new Door Edge Multipoint Compression System offers installation, size and flexibility advantages for indoor enclosures in telecommunications, computer, and industrial machinery
Compression latch withstands any environment
A new stainless steel compression latch is designed to withstand contaminants such as humidity, water, dust, ice, temperature variations, and corrosive conditions and liquids
That is why OEMs in this industry need to be able to rely on their supply partners for products designed with safety, security, performance and reliability in mind.
Pinguely-Haulotte, the third-largest global manufacturer of self-propelled aerial work platforms, recently discovered the value of partnering with Southco, with a latch that perfectly combines outstanding functionality with a modern, industrial design.
During the company's recent development of a new range of aerial platforms, they placed much emphasis on industrial design as a means of differentiation in the marketplace.
Further reading
No company can do everything itself
Southco's President and CEO Brian McNeill explains why suppliers have to provide total solutions, not just products.
Heavy-duty performance meets modern design
A novel heavy-duty vice-action compression latch was designed to meet both the performance and aesthetic needs of equipment used in the heavy-duty machinery and transportation industries.
"Design is an essential part of the success of the product", comments a Pinguely-Haulotte engineer.
The company chose a Southco sealed lever latch to use on access door applications on its range of articulated work platforms.
They chose this latch because it met their basic functional needs of robustness, safety and security, corrosion and vibration resistance, environmental protection, and intuitive operation as well as their design and installation requirements.
The lever latch itself is robust enough to withstand a maximum working load of 445N.
It offers key-lockable security, and is flush to the panel when installed.
Its powder coat finish provides excellent corrosion-resistance, and the sealing gasket seals the latch to meet NEMA4/IP66 requirements.
It installs into a single, prepared hole with a simple bracket.
This latch also provides some additional benefits that Pinguely-Haulotte engineers were quick to capitalise on, such as a built-in handle feature.
A simple push of the button on the front of the latch pops open the handle, which can then be used as a handle to lift, open, or remove the door.
The latch also offers an adjustable compression feature that allows it to be customised for the specific grip range of each application.
Finally, all of these features are packaged in a sleek, compact design that is unobtrusive on exposed access panels.
"The adjustable compression feature of this latch is one of the most beneficial", says the Pinguely-Haulotte engineer.
"Vibration resistance is extremely important in our applications because panels are made of composites and are subject to geometrical dispersion".
Pinguely-Haulotte is now using this latch on a range of applications.
In terms of design, functionality, and efficiency, this one latch does it all.
• Southco: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
