Product category:
Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware
News Release from: WDS | Subject: Machine accessories and Stainless steel
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 22 October 2004
Catalogues answer food industry demands
WDS' new "Machine accessories" and "Stainless steel" catalogues have been created in response to the increasing demands from manufacturers in the food industry for tough and easy-to-clean fittings.
WDS' new "Machine accessories" and "Stainless steel" catalogues have been created in response to the increasing demands from manufacturers in the food industry for tough and easy-to-clean fittings Both designers and maintenance engineers now have access to over 400 product lines specifically chosen for use with machinery and equipment subjected to washdowns and chemical cleaning
The everyday fixtures and fittings available in the two catalogues range from levelling feet, castors, knobs, handles, hinges and levers to ball transfer units in materials ranging from stainless steel to bakelite and thermo to glass reinforced plastic.
On-line support has also been launched at www.wds4food.co.uk where all products can be searched 3D files are available to download free in virtually any current CAD format.
The 64-page "Stainless steel" catalogue is suitable for OEMs and maintenance engineers alike, featuring specification details for over 130 product lines, including feet, mounts, handles, hinges, latches, knobs, grips and levers.
Many of the components are manufactured using solid stainless steel, and where applications are cost or weight sensitive, designers have the option of combined stainless steel with bakelite or polypropylene.
Useful when designing all food processing, storage and handling equipment, the "Machine accessories" catalogue contains the same wide range of stainless-steel fixtures and fittings, but also features over 200 extra product lines including castors, wheels and hand wheels in both metal and plastic.
Products resistant to corrosive fluids such as acids, bases and analytical reagents are included in the catalogue, making it especially helpful for companies wishing to upgrade current product lines for use in food, but also health care industries and laboratory environments.
WDS has made ordering items from the new catalogues even faster and more cost effective for designers by removing all small order surcharges whilst maintaining the bulk discounts available to OEM manufacturers.
Peter Heselton, Marketing Manager at WDS comments: "Research on customer purchasing trends confirmed that many of these items are ordered in small volumes and we were keen for prices to remain competitive".
"We have changed the delivery arrangements and been able to remove any additional cost for purchasing just one or two items, notably setting us apart from some other popular catalogue retailers where low volumes ensure very high individual costs".
WDS's special parts service provides variations on the standard parts available from the catalogue, including odd sizes, bespoke designs and different materials.
Items manufactured from metal for example can be supplied, soft, hardened, plated or in a range of surface finishes, including chemical treating for colour and surface texture.
Alternative materials such as nylon, brass, alloy or colour coded plastics are also available and can be used to reduce weight, prevent corrosion or differentiate a product by matching the finished appearance of the product.
Next day delivery is available on all items thanks to 96% availability on all WDS stock, covering tens of thousands of line items.
By splitting its main catalogue into application specific areas, WDS has been able to reduce the physical size of the copies, making them more focussed and easier to use.
The other five titles in the WDS range of catalogues encompass: "Standard parts", "Hydraulic workholding", "Broaching", "Indexing" and "General workholding".
These are available free from WDS and provide a visual reference and full specification details for thousands of items.
CAD drawings for all the items are also included on a free CD with 2D dxf files. Request a free brochure from WDS ...
• WDS: 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
