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  3. <cpdm:company_name><![CDATA[Southco]]></cpdm:company_name>
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  7. <cpdm:email>gclisham@southco.com</cpdm:email>
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  19. <cpdm:email>mdonovan@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  20. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[mdonovan@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
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  24. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Industry Marketing Thoughts]]></cpdm:title>
  25. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Observations on Southco and the industries we serve]]></cpdm:description>
  26. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/industry-marketing-thoughts</cpdm:url>
  27. <cpdm:posts>
  28. <cpdm:post id="c118af38-f80c-490b-a497-3df258d44471">
  29. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Gerry]]></cpdm:firstname>
  30. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Clisham]]></cpdm:lastname>
  31. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[HIMSS10]]></cpdm:title>
  32. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  33. <img align="left" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/70d8d2da147b06c8711f3ebba94dceb0.gif" style="margin: 5px; width: 171px; height: 91px;" />Atlanta in March &ndash; a nice break from the snow and cold!&nbsp;Someone forgot to tell the weatherman, as two inches of snow landed on the Atlanta landscape and caused school closings, business closings, and airport craziness&hellip;</p>
  34. <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  35. Inside the Georgia World Congress Center &nbsp;people seemed not to notice.&nbsp;HIMSS10 (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) Conference and Exhibition offered networking opportunities and over 300 educational sessions regarding the latest solutions for improving healthcare through IT, including EHRs and HIPPA requirements.</p>
  36. <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  37. <img align="left" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/974e0c2c2c86f48c388b3b98a3f59bcb.jpg" style="margin: 4px; width: 149px; height: 113px;" />The halls seemed to go on forever, with more than 900 exhibiting companies showing their latest innovations including medical carts, cabinets, software, networks, and security solutions to name a few.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The 27,000+ attendees walked the show, visited booths, played video golf, and Rock Band, and possibly even stopped by the well-attended daily happy hour at a booth I won&rsquo;t mention by name.</p>
  38. <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  39. <img align="right" alt="" height="180" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/54d122e47f083df31f08bf745f0933e9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="108" /><br />
  40. As I walked the show,&nbsp;the applications I saw were endless.<span style="color: red;"> </span>&nbsp;Carts galore &ndash; from simple mobile workstations to very complex medication dispensing carts with <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/" target="_blank" title="Electromechanical Solutions">electronic latching</a> and full audit trail capability &ndash; most with Southco solutions!&nbsp;There were also many storage cabinets used for equipment, supplies and medications, again using Southco latches and hinges for a distinctive look and feel.&nbsp;Electronic access solutions seemed of great interest to nearly everyone we talked to as hospitals strive to ensure patient safety and privacy, while keeping medications controlled.&nbsp;On many occasions I found our electronic rotary latches and electronic strikes on applications at the conference. Which makes sense since I have often seen our design engineer&rsquo;s&nbsp;workstations filled with pieces of medical equipment that they are developing new products for.<br />
  41. <br />
  42. <img align="right" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/18bda091987e09259a488c31912a23f1.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 151px; height: 151px;" /></p>
  43. <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  44. As the day went on my legs grew tired and I knew I had to refresh&hellip; a quick game of pop-a-shot and a Red Bull later, I was ready to explore again!&nbsp;And what did I find, but opportunities for <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/position-technology/" title="Position Control Technology">Southco positioning control technology</a> all over the expo.&nbsp;Ergonomics was on the top of everyone&rsquo;s mind.&nbsp;The need to position monitors, devices and other medical equipment is vital to doctors, nurses and technicians work and companies are dedicating major resources to improving this area.&nbsp;There was a lot of interest in our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/av-positioning-arms-7641.html" title="Southco Dynamic Mounting Arm">Dynamic Mounting Arm</a> that allows easy positioning of screens and monitors.&nbsp;In addition to the Arm, our positioning control hinges will improve the flexibility of all kinds of medical equipment including wall mounts, cart monitors and even hand-held medical devices.</p>
  45. <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
  46. Well, I must close now&hellip; there is a lot of follow-up to be done for this fantastic show.&nbsp;Hope to see you next year in Orlando with Mickey!</p>
  47. ]]></cpdm:body>
  48. <cpdm:created>2010-03-10 13:32:07</cpdm:created>
  49. <cpdm:published>2010-03-10 13:32:07</cpdm:published>
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  53. </cpdm:post>
  54. <cpdm:post id="494538bf-3568-4727-877d-41eb077856bd">
  55. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Gerry]]></cpdm:firstname>
  56. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Clisham]]></cpdm:lastname>
  57. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Industry Marketing Thoughts]]></cpdm:title>
  58. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%">I have been an industry marketing manager for Southco for the past 6 years, with global marketing responsibility for the electronics, enterprise. medical, and enclosure markets.&nbsp;Prior to joining Southco, I have held various marketing positions in the communications and packaging films industries for over 14 years.</span>]]></cpdm:body>
  59. <cpdm:created>2010-03-10 14:15:30</cpdm:created>
  60. <cpdm:published>2010-03-10 14:15:30</cpdm:published>
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  62. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  63. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/industry-marketing-thoughts/industry-marketing-thoughts</cpdm:url>
  64. </cpdm:post>
  65. <cpdm:post id="da2a34a6-e5ff-463b-9099-4393b11b221a">
  66. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Maureen]]></cpdm:firstname>
  67. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Donovan]]></cpdm:lastname>
  68. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[AdvancedTCA… the Little Market that could. ]]></cpdm:title>
  69. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br /><img alt="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 324px; height: 67px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/a94317f951942c7a00b6698125cb7d70.gif" /><br /><img title="Keying Blocks and Alignment Pins" alt="Keying Blocks and Alignment Pins" align="left" width="144" height="66" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/50d4a975cb7deff086b7416513a7e675.jpg" />For about five years now, we have been designing <a title="Ejector Handles" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/external-mount-inject-eject-mechanisms-7367.html">ejectors</a>, <a title="Captive Fasteners" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/captive-screws-7340.html">fasteners</a>, and <a title="alignment pins" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/cn-keying-and-receptacle-alignment-modules-7637.html">alignment pins</a> for the forthcoming&nbsp; ATCA market.&nbsp; Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions are all the rage in <img title="ATCA Handles" alt="ATCA Handles" align="right" width="110" height="66" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/251cec3ef90e9bb2c7d38d15adfe1c25.jpg" />embedded computing&mdash; improving time to market, reducing development and material costs, and allowing OEMs to focus on their specialized components (special sauce!), while fitting in the bigger picture.&nbsp; <br /><br />Well, the market ramp-up has been much slower than anticipated due to factors including slower adoption, product readiness and the recession.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, the high initial investment by suppliers, coupled with the slow adoption, had some people worried.&nbsp;&nbsp; However according to Simon Stanley of <a title="ATCA" target="_blank" href="http://www.lightreading.com/">Light Reading</a>, the ATCA market is set to grow significantly over the next three years.<br /><br />Another notable occurrence in this area&nbsp; is the adoption of the PICMG standards by markets<img alt="" align="right" width="59" height="59" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/107a393b37d286ba8e5f289600fc258d.gif" /> other than telecom.&nbsp; Much like its predecessor CompactPCI, telecom was the original target market for ATCA (along with AMC and MicroTCA) and was expected to show the highest revenue and growth.&nbsp; According to VDC Research Group, telecom accounted for 70% of cPCI business in 2007.&nbsp; However, a funny thing happened on the way to adoption&hellip; other markets surpassed telecom, especially in AMC and MicroTCA applications.&nbsp; According to Crystal Cube Consulting,&nbsp; the MicroTCA vertical market breakdown in 2009 showed that Military/Aerospace market share&nbsp; was triple that of Telecom, with Medical and Industrial following closely behind. <div style="text-align: center">&nbsp;</div>So what are we excited about?&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />First, the ATCA market is growing, which makes Southco and the other suppliers in this ecosystem happy.&nbsp; Also, PICMG recently announced their effort to expand the ATCA market and applications beyond central office telecom.&nbsp; And finally, AMC and MicroTCA has become a serious player in other markets, especially military and aerospace.&nbsp; Therefore, we should see steady ramp up of the market (and our ejectors) from here on out.&nbsp; So buckle your seatbelts and come along for the ride&hellip;<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  70. <cpdm:created>2010-05-12 18:30:57</cpdm:created>
  71. <cpdm:published>2010-05-12 18:30:57</cpdm:published>
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  73. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  74. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/industry-marketing-thoughts/advancedtca-the-little-market-that-could-</cpdm:url>
  75. </cpdm:post>
  76. <cpdm:post id="2d104003-a83c-44a2-bcdb-37b9273f9dbc">
  77. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Maureen]]></cpdm:firstname>
  78. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Donovan]]></cpdm:lastname>
  79. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[2010 WindPower Conference & Exhibition Blog]]></cpdm:title>
  80. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br /><img alt="" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 286px; height: 112px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/cbd458995ee287f043c2e4edc9298155.jpg" />Wind Energy&hellip; Firmly entrenched in Europe wind energy is an exciting opportunity for North America and beyond.&nbsp; And boy, did the 2010 Wind Power Show in Dallas indicate that.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; And the diversity of the offerings was immense&hellip; 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.<br /><br />The excitement at the show was evident, the buzz non-stop.&nbsp; People are really excited about wind energy taking off in North America.&nbsp; According to the AWEA, last year the United States installed more than 10,000MW of new wind power.&nbsp; Thirty six states now have wind projects.&nbsp; The people were a friendly bunch&hellip; happy to discuss opportunities knowing that&nbsp; we all must all work together to grow this market, both for our companies and the environment.<br /><br /><img align="right" width="205" height="150" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/c1ae7d7a0cd2613582d67c3744e06422.jpg" />So let&rsquo;s talk about the exhibitors.&nbsp; The turbines are unbelievably large.&nbsp; Anyone who has ever seen a wind turbine across a field has little idea of the magnitude of these structures.&nbsp; Or of a single blade.&nbsp; Or of&nbsp; the nacelle.&nbsp; These structures make people look like ants!&nbsp; All of the major manufacturers were there and it was impressive group.<br /><br />One of the discussions we had with several of the global exhibitors is the necessity to have local manufacturing around the globe.&nbsp; It is not economically feasible to ship these large parts all over the world.&nbsp; Rather the large turbine and blade manufacturers must set up <img alt="" align="left" width="141" height="173" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/922e7daebf1021465d3160444757d47b.jpg" />shop regionally, and thus need local suppliers in each region.<br /><br />Of particular interest to Southco, were the many exhibitors who manufactured equipment for the inside of the turbine.&nbsp; Many latches, hinges and fasteners could be found on the pitch drives, the inverters and other enclosures in the turbine.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are a lot pieces of equipment&nbsp; that need to be accessed during service, and our <a title="Quarter-turn Fasteners" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/dzus-quarter-turn-fasteners-7345.html">quarter turn fasteners</a> and <a title="Compression Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/compression-latches-7317.html">compression latches</a> fit the bill..&nbsp; There are also a lot of applications on the testing equipment, whether it is for monitoring the amount of wind at a location or testing the systems&nbsp; in the wind turbine.<br /><img alt="" align="right" width="165" height="115" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/9b3ee1fe-7297-4473-8c4a-dd265724915e/Image/bb9f4d2a74478c12169d96028fc18174.jpg" /><br />Other than that there was a lot of just plain fun.&nbsp; A delicious exhibitor-sponsored lunch was provided each day and offered a good opportunity for networking.&nbsp; There were plenty of evening activities including a function at the Hard Rock Caf&eacute; featuring Elvis Costello and the Conference Dinner starring Sienfeld&rsquo;s Jason Alexander.&nbsp; Even some of the booths got into the spirit of things&hellip; The Wind Energy TechnoCentre of Quebec&nbsp; hired a three-piece Texas jazz band to perform at the end of the day, which led to quite a lively happy hour!<br /><br />Bottom line is that it is an exciting time for green energy worldwide and especially wind.&nbsp; <br />The growth potential is enormous and the clean energy it can provide is ELECTRIFYING!<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  81. <cpdm:created>2010-07-15 20:21:27</cpdm:created>
  82. <cpdm:published>2010-07-15 20:21:27</cpdm:published>
  83. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  84. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  85. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/industry-marketing-thoughts/2010-windpower-conference-exhibition-blog</cpdm:url>
  86. <cpdm:comments>
  87. <cpdm:comment id="0e006ceb-db67-4c9b-9b07-f41edcd40c4a">
  88. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[hp pavilion review]]></cpdm:name>
  89. <cpdm:email>hppavilion@mail.ru</cpdm:email>
  90. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-15 16:58:58</cpdm:submitted>
  91. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  92. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Mythical! This blog looks accurately like my disintegrated a certain! It's on a entirely different contingent on expose but it has euphonious much the regardless episode layout and design. Wonderful select of colors!]]></cpdm:body>
  93. </cpdm:comment>
  94. </cpdm:comments>
  95. </cpdm:post>
  96. </cpdm:posts>
  97. </cpdm:blog>
  98. </cpdm:user>
  99. <cpdm:user id="c24ff96d-5d70-4298-be43-1e3bd7c3e120">
  100. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  101. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  102. <cpdm:email>jford@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  103. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[jford]]></cpdm:username>
  104. <cpdm:enabled>true</cpdm:enabled>
  105. <cpdm:blog id="30ae9f2f-0f13-4b38-ba14-0178e0e89fe3">
  106. <cpdm:type>norm</cpdm:type>
  107. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Positioning Technology]]></cpdm:title>
  108. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Wonder how integrated positioning technology can be use to solve your motion managment challenges? This blog will discuss new ways to apply positioning technology in applications including simple hinges, flat panel display mounting, lighting, door positi]]></cpdm:description>
  109. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology</cpdm:url>
  110. <cpdm:posts>
  111. <cpdm:post id="67b21f74-db6a-42e8-ac7d-8a6502bccf30">
  112. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  113. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  114. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Like to Move It?]]></cpdm:title>
  115. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<P>Hello, I’m Jim Ford, <A title="Visit the Southco website" href="http://www.southco.com" target=_blank>Southco</A>’s Product Manager for Hinges and Positioning Technology (the hinge guy).</P>
  116. <P>When most people think of hinges, they envision a simple door opening and closing motion.&nbsp; Add in a little dash of what we like to call “positioning technology” and suddenly the humble hinge becomes much more.</P>
  117. <P>Want your light door to feel more substantial, want to eliminate vibration, need to make a heavy door lift with ease.&nbsp; Engineered positioning technology can do all that and more.&nbsp; </P>
  118. <P>I’ve worked on “hinge” solutions for nearly two decades, and have seen applications expand well beyond basic hinges to include a wide range of mechanisms, including devices that provide tilt and swivel action, movable mounting arms for things like lights, cameras, and displays, as well as a lot of high tech “hinges”</P>
  119. <P>Have an interesting positioning hinge or motion management challenge?&nbsp; Bring it here and we can start the discussion.<br></P>]]></cpdm:body>
  120. <cpdm:created>2008-11-17 15:18:43</cpdm:created>
  121. <cpdm:published>2008-11-17 15:18:43</cpdm:published>
  122. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  123. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  124. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/like-to-move-it</cpdm:url>
  125. </cpdm:post>
  126. <cpdm:post id="76a17bb6-6146-4fe9-80c0-d2eb1e926756">
  127. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  128. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  129. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Save money with custom engineered solutions?]]></cpdm:title>
  130. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[In the access&nbsp;hardware business, we often talk about the benefits of choosing an off the shelf product.&nbsp; When a designer can find a catalog product that meets their needs, this often translates to the quickest delivery, lowest product cost, and least engineering effort.&nbsp; A real&nbsp;win for everyone involved.<br><br>As with most rules, however,&nbsp;there can be&nbsp;exceptions.&nbsp;Consider this recent example where&nbsp;a custom engineered solution offered a cost savings:<br><br>A customer came to us looking for a simple torque hinge to position an LCD&nbsp;display panel.&nbsp; While any number of of Southco's standard position control hinges would have been more than adequate to meet the customer's need, taking a deeper look at the application uncovered new opportunities.&nbsp; <br><br>By&nbsp;considering&nbsp;the whole application, we identified an opportunity&nbsp;for cost reduction.&nbsp;&nbsp;By designing a custom housing which matched the industrial design of the product, we allowed&nbsp;the customer,&nbsp;to eliminate a cosmetic cover whose sole purpose was to conceal the hinge mechanism.&nbsp;&nbsp;The result - the custom solution reduced total components, and saved on both tooling and product cost.<br><br><EM>For more design ideas and application examples, take a look at my recent article in machine design:<br></EM><A href="http://machinedesign.com/article/don-t-come-unhinged-over-enclosure-design-1023">http://machinedesign.com/article/don-t-come-unhinged-over-enclosure-design-1023</A>]]></cpdm:body>
  131. <cpdm:created>2008-12-15 14:56:10</cpdm:created>
  132. <cpdm:published>2008-12-15 14:56:10</cpdm:published>
  133. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  134. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  135. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/save-money-with-custom-engineered-solutions</cpdm:url>
  136. </cpdm:post>
  137. <cpdm:post id="af9748a8-e013-4dc8-ba9e-87beb33a48b8">
  138. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  139. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  140. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[One size doesn't fit all]]></cpdm:title>
  141. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<P><STRONG></STRONG>This week, I had a conversation with a designer about what type of position control hinge to use for a small access door.&nbsp; It's something I'm asked often, and&nbsp;the answer is usually&nbsp;another question.&nbsp; <EM>What do you want&nbsp;the&nbsp;user&nbsp;to experience when they open the door?</EM></P>
  142. <P>I've found that the right solution usually ends up depending as much on who will use the product, as it does the technical aspects.&nbsp; The designer's application&nbsp;was&nbsp;a small door, about half the size of a typical shoebox lid, which conceals a series of controls.&nbsp; The challenge being how to hold the door open while the&nbsp;user accesses the controls to&nbsp;adjust certain settings.&nbsp;</P>
  143. <P>There are many ways to achieve this goal, with&nbsp;each different&nbsp;hinge mechanism providing a&nbsp;unique&nbsp;"feel" for the end user.&nbsp; </P>
  144. <P>A constant torque hinge provides smooth motion, and&nbsp;allows the door to stay in any position.&nbsp;&nbsp;By selecting different&nbsp;torque values we can also customize the operating effort.&nbsp; Which torque is "right" depends on end user preference.&nbsp; In a consumer product application, a light, easy operating effort may be best, while for&nbsp;a similar door, in a piece of off highway equipment a higher effort may be desired, both to fit the robust image of the product, and to provide more positive feedback to operators with gloved hands.</P>
  145. <P>A&nbsp;detent or bi-stable&nbsp;hinge can ensure the door will stay in a specific known position or&nbsp;"snap" open and closed like a typical flip style cell phone.</P>
  146. <P>After a discussion of all the options we found a solution that achieved all the designer's original goals, plus provides some nice to have features to&nbsp;differentiate from competitors.</P>
  147. <P>Want to see some more ways to use positioning technology?&nbsp; Check out the video at: <A href="http://lp.southco.com/DesignHouseVideo-CEMA.html">http://lp.southco.com/DesignHouseVideo-CEMA.html</A></P>]]></cpdm:body>
  148. <cpdm:created>2009-01-16 14:40:14</cpdm:created>
  149. <cpdm:published>2009-01-16 14:40:14</cpdm:published>
  150. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  151. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  152. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/one-size-doesnt-fit-all-v1</cpdm:url>
  153. </cpdm:post>
  154. <cpdm:post id="bc80c8fd-019e-4683-94fa-fa8fa5294787">
  155. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  156. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  157. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Don't let the door hit you...]]></cpdm:title>
  158. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[With&nbsp;the current global economic situation, too many good people may have heard these words in an unpleasant&nbsp;context.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the world of&nbsp;hinges and positioning technology, however,&nbsp;there are&nbsp;ways we can&nbsp;prevent the door from hitting us, and in the process introduce a&nbsp;real product differentiator.<br /><br />Many&nbsp;applications&nbsp;use constant torque hinges to&nbsp;hold doors in position, giving the end user hands-free unencumbered access.&nbsp; Let me use a couple of scenarios to illustrate...<br /><br />Imagine that you need&nbsp;to open a door to access the inside of an enclosure and make some repairs.&nbsp; Now imagine that the enclosure is outside, and&nbsp;you've just climbed a 20 foot ladder,&nbsp;on a stormy day&nbsp;to reach it.&nbsp; A gust of wind comes along causing the door to slam into your hand, making you drop your screwdriver to the ground.&nbsp; As you climb back down to retrieve the tool, the value of a well placed positioning hinge becomes clear.<br /><br />Ever try to fill up a bag with rolls from a grocery store bulk&nbsp;bin?&nbsp; Easy right? Just&nbsp;hold the tongs in one hand, the bag in the other hand, and hold the lid of the bin open with your third hand.&nbsp; Plus, if your kids are curious like mine, you might want to hold onto them with the fourth hand to avoid having the&nbsp;orange display turn into a citrus tsunami.<br /><br />Using the right hinge can change the user experience from one of frustration, to one of ease.&nbsp; In tough times, these&nbsp;little differentiators can help separate the products that ultimately&nbsp;win a customer's loyalty from those that&nbsp;didn't quite make the grade.<br /><br />Have questions or&nbsp;ideas on how you can use positioning technology, post your thoughts here!]]></cpdm:body>
  159. <cpdm:created>2009-02-23 21:20:34</cpdm:created>
  160. <cpdm:published>2009-02-23 21:20:34</cpdm:published>
  161. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  162. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  163. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/dont-let-the-door-hit-you</cpdm:url>
  164. <cpdm:comments>
  165. <cpdm:comment id="6f5f98ad-8759-4262-bd54-54fe1ceb7a66">
  166. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Mark Riel]]></cpdm:name>
  167. <cpdm:email>Mark.Riel@crbard.com</cpdm:email>
  168. <cpdm:submitted>2009-03-25 14:23:45</cpdm:submitted>
  169. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  170. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Excellent article by Mr. Ford, another example on how the application of basic engineering principles in often overlooked/mundane mechanisms can improve the quality of ones life. Keep up the good work Southco !!!]]></cpdm:body>
  171. </cpdm:comment>
  172. <cpdm:comment id="b196e4b1-3c80-429b-8166-3243d369387f">
  173. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Kimberley21aY]]></cpdm:name>
  174. <cpdm:email>Kimberley21aY@unique-papers.com</cpdm:email>
  175. <cpdm:submitted>2010-01-24 17:31:41</cpdm:submitted>
  176. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  177. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[If students are willing to see more information about this good post, they should order custom written essay or buy essays with the help of the custom writing services.]]></cpdm:body>
  178. </cpdm:comment>
  179. <cpdm:comment id="627b1904-9b6d-48ba-bc44-0fc6d6927c47">
  180. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[PaulineBURNS]]></cpdm:name>
  181. <cpdm:email>elizabethmartin@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  182. <cpdm:submitted>2010-06-30 20:42:47</cpdm:submitted>
  183. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  184. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[People deserve very good life and mortgage loans or commercial loan would make it better. Because people's freedom bases on money state.]]></cpdm:body>
  185. </cpdm:comment>
  186. <cpdm:comment id="46d14969-1388-4088-8bc6-d77bd5314938">
  187. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Lucia29Fernandez]]></cpdm:name>
  188. <cpdm:email>pamelathorn@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  189. <cpdm:submitted>2010-08-17 07:11:28</cpdm:submitted>
  190. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  191. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I guess that to get the credit loans from creditors you should have a good motivation. Nevertheless, one time I have got a credit loan, just because I was willing to buy a building.]]></cpdm:body>
  192. </cpdm:comment>
  193. <cpdm:comment id="6cccfd17-6f04-400b-8317-688252ebda8e">
  194. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[PowellKatelyn]]></cpdm:name>
  195. <cpdm:email>saraward@mail333.com</cpdm:email>
  196. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-19 16:34:13</cpdm:submitted>
  197. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  198. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Following my own monitoring, millions of persons in the world receive the mortgage loans from good creditors. Thence, there's good chances to receive a auto loan in every country.]]></cpdm:body>
  199. </cpdm:comment>
  200. </cpdm:comments>
  201. </cpdm:post>
  202. <cpdm:post id="25f47fa7-c5ea-45cd-839f-250695e58785">
  203. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  204. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  205. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Bi-stable mechanisms will make you "flip"]]></cpdm:title>
  206. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><img align="left" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/c24ff96d-5d70-4298-be43-1e3bd7c3e120/Image/7eac7c31ffc658a5fe084e6626199e71.jpg" style="width: 202px; height: 113px;" alt="" />Customers often come to us looking for a simple way to ensure a door or panel stays closed.&nbsp; For light weight panels and access doors, bi-stable mechanisms provide a great alternative to a conventional hinge and slam latch arrangement.<br /><br />The action of a bi-stable mechanism is familiar to anyone who has every used a typical &quot;flip phone&quot; style cell phone.&nbsp; Close the cover and it snaps shut, lift the cover and it flips open.<br /><br />In the design stage, Southco's G7 bi-stable hinges can easily be integrated into most smaller plastic doors, adding proven hold-open, hold-closed functionality.&nbsp; This allows designers to provide reliable, easy, and intuitive access, without the need for a separate latch.&nbsp; In addition, the bi-stable functionality drives doors closed, eliminating the possibility of leaving a cover or panel slightly ajar.<br /><br />For more detail and installation examples, visit out website at <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/g7-bi-stable-embedded-hinges-7631.html" title="G7 Bi-Stable Hinges">www.southco.com/class/g7-bi-stable-embedded-hinges-7631.html</a><br />&nbsp;</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  207. <cpdm:created>2009-04-29 17:16:03</cpdm:created>
  208. <cpdm:published>2009-11-19 05:00:00</cpdm:published>
  209. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  210. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  211. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/bi-stable-mechanisms-will-make-you-flip</cpdm:url>
  212. </cpdm:post>
  213. <cpdm:post id="8c600873-5112-4d29-86d6-ace2b4cd5c66">
  214. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  215. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  216. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Build a better mousetrap]]></cpdm:title>
  217. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img align="left" alt="" style="width: 203px; height: 203px;" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/c24ff96d-5d70-4298-be43-1e3bd7c3e120/Image/b736ef5dfae87c0f1c62a208ddf50380.jpg" />For many years, we have been providing customers with custom position control hinges with an integrated counterbalance feature.&nbsp; Adding counterbalance to a <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" title="Positoning Hinges">constant torque hinge</a> can provide several benefits.&nbsp; The counterbalance can allow users to lift a heavier lid with fingertip ease, or can help stabilize and resist user input forces on touchscreen displays.<br /><br />Seeing this demand time and time again, we set out to make counterbalancing available in a standard product.&nbsp; This allows customers large and small to access the best in positioning technology, without the additional engineering and tooling costs associated with custom designs.<br /><br />We are honored to have our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/st-counterbalanced-embedded-hinges-7629.html">ST-12C</a> series hinges recognized with the receipt of Design News' Golden Mousetrap Award for 2009.&nbsp; To read the full story you can visit the <a href="http://www.designnews.com/article/339451-Southco_Control_Hinge_Also_Counterbalances.php">Design News</a> website.<br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  218. <cpdm:created>2009-11-05 21:05:06</cpdm:created>
  219. <cpdm:published>2009-11-05 21:05:06</cpdm:published>
  220. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  221. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  222. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/build-a-better-mousetrap</cpdm:url>
  223. <cpdm:comments>
  224. <cpdm:comment id="1e7e7bef-a79e-43d3-8503-83da5beef66d">
  225. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[automotivearticlesite]]></cpdm:name>
  226. <cpdm:email>kimberlyccsmith@meurl.info</cpdm:email>
  227. <cpdm:submitted>2011-10-26 01:44:20</cpdm:submitted>
  228. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  229. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Hello there dude, This was a fantastic website for such achallenging niche to focus on….]]></cpdm:body>
  230. </cpdm:comment>
  231. </cpdm:comments>
  232. </cpdm:post>
  233. <cpdm:post id="fcfda08f-01d0-48da-9695-bdc16341b703">
  234. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  235. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  236. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco's Dynamic Mounting Arm goes where no display has gone before]]></cpdm:title>
  237. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I am very pleased to announce the introduction of Southco's newest product family, the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/av-positioning-arms-7641.html" title="AV-D30">AV-D30 Series Dynamic Mounting Arm.</a><br /><br />The release<img hspace="10" height="117" align="left" width="150" alt="" style="border: thin solid ;" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/c24ff96d-5d70-4298-be43-1e3bd7c3e120/Image/d3aff732a6c3c8ca361a6b06a14409a6_w640.jpeg" /> of Southco's new AV series display mounting arms brings a set of features that allows users to position displays in applications where conventional &quot;home theatre&quot; type mounts simply don't meet the customer needs.<br /><br />With the integration of the <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/cema/" title="Positioning Technology Overview">positioning technology</a> first developed in Southco's line of constant torque hinges into every joint, the AV series arms gain the ability to precisely control all user operating efforts.<br /><br />Want mount a display in a moving vehicle?&nbsp; The AV-D30 series will ensure the arm stays in position when subject to normal braking loads.<br /><br />Have a wall that isn't quite level?&nbsp; The Dynamic Mounting Arm stays exactly where you position it, with no drift.<br /><br />Positioning a touchscreen?&nbsp; The integrated positioning technology makes sure the display stays put, even as users press on the screen, while still allowing easy, tool free repositioning of the display.<br /><br />Want to see the AV-D30 in action?&nbsp; Check out these <a href="http://www.southco.com/resources/video/flashviewer.aspx?file=AV_D30_Install_19Oct09.swf" title="Product installation video">installation</a> and <a href="http://www.southco.com/resources/video/flashviewer.aspx?file=AV_D30_Features_19Oct09.swf" title="Features &amp; Benefits">features and benefits</a> videos.<br /><br /><br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  238. <cpdm:created>2009-11-10 18:17:40</cpdm:created>
  239. <cpdm:published>2009-12-07 14:27:00</cpdm:published>
  240. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  241. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  242. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/southcos-dynamic-mounting-arm-goes-where-no-display-has-gone-before</cpdm:url>
  243. </cpdm:post>
  244. <cpdm:post id="d99bfbdc-ea20-4b5e-8471-ee488992b18b">
  245. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Jim]]></cpdm:firstname>
  246. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Ford]]></cpdm:lastname>
  247. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Global Positioning Technology]]></cpdm:title>
  248. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[A recent trip to Japan and China reminds me of an old truth.&nbsp; Every person and place has unique qualities, yet at their core people are more alike than not.&nbsp; I'd like to thank my wonderful local hosts, in all the places I visited who made an extra effort to make me feel welcome, and show me some of the things that make their countries, companies, and people special.<br /><br />In customer visits, and facility tours, working with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and sales and marketing professionals, one thing came through time and time again.&nbsp; Everyone has a desire for and ease of use and convenience.&nbsp; Where this desire meets the uniqueness of each individual - personal preference, physical size, strength, etc. - there is often a need for <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/position-control/" target="_blank" title="Southco position control solutions">position control</a> to deliver an ergonomic solution<br /><br />Southco's positioning technologies, from constant torque hinges, to our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/av-positioning-arms-7641.html" title="Southco Dynamic Mounting Arm" target="_blank">AV series Dynamic Mounting Arms</a> are a great way to make displays, doors, and devices conform to the physical needs of the user.<br /><br />Have ideas or questions on how positioning technology can enhance your product?&nbsp; Post your thoughts here.<br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  249. <cpdm:created>2010-05-10 20:40:21</cpdm:created>
  250. <cpdm:published>2010-05-20 22:01:00</cpdm:published>
  251. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  252. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  253. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-technology/global-positioning-technology</cpdm:url>
  254. </cpdm:post>
  255. </cpdm:posts>
  256. </cpdm:blog>
  257. </cpdm:user>
  258. <cpdm:user id="06beab65-25a4-4010-927f-1ec7b0b508ff">
  259. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Amy]]></cpdm:firstname>
  260. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Lepre]]></cpdm:lastname>
  261. <cpdm:email>alepre@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  262. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[SouthCoAdmin]]></cpdm:username>
  263. <cpdm:enabled>true</cpdm:enabled>
  264. <cpdm:blog id="eb2bc976-ff9c-45f4-8013-d77635a9e147">
  265. <cpdm:type>hidden</cpdm:type>
  266. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Internal Hidden]]></cpdm:title>
  267. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Internal Hidden]]></cpdm:description>
  268. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/internal-hidden</cpdm:url>
  269. </cpdm:blog>
  270. </cpdm:user>
  271. <cpdm:user id="5dc89342-fec0-483d-9cba-b806c2f219b0">
  272. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Amy]]></cpdm:firstname>
  273. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Lepre]]></cpdm:lastname>
  274. <cpdm:email>alepre@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  275. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[alepre@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
  276. <cpdm:enabled>true</cpdm:enabled>
  277. <cpdm:blog id="a0ce0e90-3ce6-4c30-ae86-9ce8769f4a41">
  278. <cpdm:type>norm</cpdm:type>
  279. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Amy Lepre's Blog]]></cpdm:title>
  280. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Southco's eMarketing Team]]></cpdm:description>
  281. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/amy-lepres-blog</cpdm:url>
  282. </cpdm:blog>
  283. </cpdm:user>
  284. <cpdm:user id="947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044">
  285. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Daniel]]></cpdm:firstname>
  286. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[McCourt]]></cpdm:lastname>
  287. <cpdm:email>dmccourt@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  288. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[dmccourt@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
  289. <cpdm:enabled>false</cpdm:enabled>
  290. <cpdm:blog id="f87ffaee-4caf-4e59-aea7-5605d01baa26">
  291. <cpdm:type>norm</cpdm:type>
  292. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Touchpoint Engineering]]></cpdm:title>
  293. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[]]></cpdm:description>
  294. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering</cpdm:url>
  295. <cpdm:posts>
  296. <cpdm:post id="bc1a518a-b351-4726-be6a-5628f3c1e892">
  297. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Daniel]]></cpdm:firstname>
  298. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[McCourt]]></cpdm:lastname>
  299. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[The dreaded “uh oh” moment ]]></cpdm:title>
  300. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>Design engineers are smart people. They juggle a lot of different considerations on a daily basis in their designs: heat, packaging, cost, manufacturability and&mdash;at times&mdash;customer experience considerations.&nbsp;At Southco, we&rsquo;ve been doing this long enough to know that access hardware can be a last minute addition to a design. &nbsp;Design engineers have a lot going on so we&rsquo;re ok with getting involved late in the process but it might not be the best thing for your product when that happens.</p><p>Back in 2006, <a title="Design News Website" target="_blank" href="http://www.designnews.com/channel/Materials_Fastening.php">Design News Magazine</a> reported some notable survey results that showed 91 percent of design engineers agree that access hardware is important. But too often, access hardware (<a title="Southco Latches Website" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latches </a>and <a title="Southco Hinges Website" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a>) selection is like the kid that&rsquo;s picked last in gym class. It&rsquo;s left until the very end. The result is possible hardware fit and functionality problems at the last minute.</p><p>Now if you stop and think about it, many times a Southco product is the first thing that your customers touch when they interact with your product. This is why we are pouring our energy into Touchpoint Engineering. It&rsquo;s easy to assume that an appropriate stock <a title="Southco Torque Hinges" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/embedded-hinges-8165.html">torque hinge</a> solution will be available, or perhaps a latch or handle that is aesthetically pleasing is a bad functional fit. Whatever the reason, leaving engineered access hardware to chance means missed opportunities to differentiate end products with enhanced functionality or style.</p><p>Everyone like surprises, but not the type that surface during end product or sub-assembly design&mdash;the dreaded &lsquo;uh oh&rdquo; moment when you realize the critical details that should have been worked out long ago. Touchpoint Engineering can help design engineers avoid this type of pitfall and identify opportunities for achieving greater customer satisfaction, better return on investment and greater product differentiation. <br /><br />So send us an email or give us a call. We&rsquo;d love to hear from you and to learn more about the design challenges you face.</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  301. <cpdm:created>2009-07-28 15:13:17</cpdm:created>
  302. <cpdm:published>2009-07-28 15:13:17</cpdm:published>
  303. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  304. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  305. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/the-dreaded-uh-oh-moment-</cpdm:url>
  306. </cpdm:post>
  307. <cpdm:post id="048b722e-c832-4ce3-828a-dfff79340371">
  308. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Touchpoint Engineering]]></cpdm:title>
  309. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Hello! I'm Dan McCourt, Manager of Marketing Communications and Global eMarketing at Southco.&nbsp;We're a global manufacturer of access hardware solutions; latches, hinges, electronic access, and position control mechanisms. Some may refer to these things as &quot;widgets&quot; but I like to call them the &quot;Unnoticed Miracles of Modern Science&quot;. <br /><br />Ok maybe they aren't <em>miracles </em>but they do solve a number of design challenges for our customers. <br /><br />A little about me. I'm a mechanical engineer and have worked at Southco for 14 years. I've&nbsp;been in sales, IT, and marketing during my time here. I like to think of myself as extremely customer-centric. I thoroughly enjoy it when a customer call gets routed to me by accident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hearing about customers products and figuring out ways that we can enhance them is a passion of mine. <br /><br />I look forward to discussing your&nbsp;application needs&nbsp;and seeing how we can help with them.]]></cpdm:body>
  310. <cpdm:created>2009-07-28 16:08:00</cpdm:created>
  311. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  312. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  313. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  314. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/touchpoint-engineering</cpdm:url>
  315. </cpdm:post>
  316. <cpdm:post id="969f437c-8fa9-4681-b0f9-ec181448218b">
  317. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Engineered Access Solutions]]></cpdm:title>
  318. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br />
  319. <p>
  320. <span><span>Hello and welcome to Southco.<br />
  321. <br />
  322. We manufacture things&nbsp;like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html" target="_blank">latches</a>, <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank">hinges</a>, <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/" target="_blank">electronic access solutions</a>, and <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank">position control technology</a>.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
  323. <p>
  324. <br />
  325. <span>We look forward to discussing your application needs and seeing how we can help with them.</span></p>
  326. <p>
  327. &nbsp;</p>
  328. ]]></cpdm:body>
  329. <cpdm:created>2009-07-30 14:44:13</cpdm:created>
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  333. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/touchpoint-engineering-v1</cpdm:url>
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  1084. <![endif]--></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta></meta>You only have to glance at newspaper headlines or Wall Street numbers to understand the current state of the economy. More than ever, CFOs everywhere are keeping a close eye on the bottom line in these lean times. Design engineers also face the daily challenge of simplifying production and minimizing unit costs. It&rsquo;s no easy task.<br /><br /><br />While considering cost, design engineers are also devising more complex and sophisticated designs that are ergonomic, functional, stylish and as my son would say, &quot;cool&quot;. Every designer strives for that &ldquo;wow&rdquo; reaction when a customer eyes his or her product. Competition is getting stronger in almost every market.<br /><br />Designers are constantly challenged with the delicate balance among performance, style and cost.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="5" height="100" width="321" vspace="5" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/ffd6068352aa78072b640d0e488a93e6.jpg" alt="" /><br />&nbsp;</div>At Southco, we&rsquo;ve learned how Touchpoint Engineering can help designers achieve greater product differentiation, more trouble-free performance and more cost-effective production. Increasingly, it&rsquo;s the little things that provide the visceral reaction from consumers&mdash;the smooth and balanced feel of a <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/embedded-hinges-8165.html" target="_blank">torque hinge </a>in a LCD screen on a piece of medical equipment,&nbsp; the look of a polished chrome <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/compression-latches-7317.html" target="_blank">compression latch</a>, or perhaps the innovation of an <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html" target="_blank">electronic latch</a> &mdash; so why not harness the potential value of Touchpoint Engineering in making these elements product differentiators?<br /><br /><br />By addressing the full scope of access hardware early on, designers can stand out from the pack with products that are superior in look and functionality and that are ...cool.<br /><br /><br />Feel free to leave a comment or contact us with your design challenges.]]></cpdm:body>
  1085. <cpdm:created>2009-08-04 19:51:42</cpdm:created>
  1086. <cpdm:published>2009-08-04 19:51:42</cpdm:published>
  1087. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1088. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1089. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/the-delicate-balance-in-achieving-the-wow-factor</cpdm:url>
  1090. </cpdm:post>
  1091. <cpdm:post id="cf2f009d-9e01-46ae-b37d-39ce0a38bfe8">
  1092. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[So what does "Touchpoint Engineering" mean?]]></cpdm:title>
  1093. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><img height="317" alt="" hspace="5" width="168" align="left" vspace="5" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/3771afa4aad7cf54f4c4398760172190.jpg" />If you&rsquo;re not familiar with the term, you probably aren&rsquo;t alone. It&rsquo;s something that has been evolving here at Southco over the past few years. <br /><br />Touchpoint Engineering, as we define it, &nbsp;is a strategic approach to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/product-categories-0.html">engineered access hardware</a> that focuses on optimizing the full scope of hardware performance early on in the project design cycle. Laptop screens, glove boxes and door <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/handles-7354.html">handles</a> are all examples of touchpoints, and they are potentially a means of achieving product differentiation more easily. <br /><br />Oftentimes, it may be a Southco product your customers touch first when they open a door or grab a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latch</a>. We can tangibly influence how your customers perceive a product from its look and feel. And it&rsquo;s a responsibility we take seriously!<br /><br />After all, when we do our job right, you look good. Does the handle fit comfortably into the customer&rsquo;s hand? Does a display screen pivot smoothly when turned? It&rsquo;s this type of differentiation that may just push your product to the front of the pack in a competitive marketplace. And there&rsquo;s certainly nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />Many designers know these often uttered words: form, fit and function. Touchpoint Engineering improves opportunities for finding cost-effective solutions that marry form, fit, and function to the touchpoints of human interaction with the product.<br /><br />As always, send us an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/contact/">email</a> or post a comment if you want to see how we can help you with your designs challenges.</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1094. <cpdm:created>2009-08-13 12:14:29</cpdm:created>
  1095. <cpdm:published>2009-08-13 12:14:29</cpdm:published>
  1096. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1097. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1098. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/so-what-does-touch-point-engineering-mean</cpdm:url>
  1099. </cpdm:post>
  1100. <cpdm:post id="4ca04bb7-b2a4-471d-a822-46e4cb859130">
  1101. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Access control and remote monitoring just got simpler]]></cpdm:title>
  1102. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img hspace="5" height="117" align="left" width="81" vspace="5" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/060bc6406034be7a32ad750a32e63504.jpg" />This scenario will not be hard to imagine. <br /><br />A server cabinet fan fails and begins cooking the internal components like a Thanksgiving dinner. It can be a datacenter manager&rsquo;s worst nightmare, and an accidental server shutdown can bring a business to its knees. One way to prevent this from becoming reality, is for datacenters to outfit their server racks with remote networked monitoring equipment that monitors the environment and controls access to the servers.&nbsp; <br /><br />One of Southco&rsquo;s newest products&mdash;the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-em-electronic-locking-swinghandle-7638.html">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle</a>&mdash;can be an integral component to making sure <img hspace="4" height="167" align="right" width="167" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.southco.com/images/products/H3-EM.mdt.jpg" />that this type of overheating doesn' t happen.&nbsp; <br /><br />Imagine the same scenario but this time, a thermocouple in the cabinet tells the monitoring system that there is an high temperature warning, which in turn triggers the H3-EM to open the door automatically. The cabinet can begin to cool off and buy the datacenter team more time to respond to the problem.<br /><br />Since the H3-EM consumes minimal power, it isn&rsquo;t limited to just datacenter cabinets. It can be applied anywhere designers have the need for remotely actuated and/or monitored access. From medical storage to industrial enclosures, and self service kiosks, the H3-EM is an effective solution that adds security and monitoring capabilities to environments that require audited access and remote management.<br /><br />In the end, by integrating this small component into your system you can prevent a whole lot of worry. When paired with a remote monitoring system, the H3-EM&nbsp; can be just the thing to help datacenter managers avoid flamb&eacute;ing their electronics. <br /><br />If this sounds like something that you can use, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/contact/">let us know</a>! We can send a system out for you to evaluate.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1103. <cpdm:created>2009-08-24 15:34:10</cpdm:created>
  1104. <cpdm:published>2009-08-24 15:34:10</cpdm:published>
  1105. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1106. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1107. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/access-control-and-remote-monitoring-just-got-simpler</cpdm:url>
  1108. </cpdm:post>
  1109. <cpdm:post id="b25a8aad-3ca9-4a27-8ea9-930cf2a98cb0">
  1110. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[New counterbalancing hinges]]></cpdm:title>
  1111. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[It looks like a ray gun.<img hspace="4" height="147" align="left" width="147" vspace="4" src="http://www.southco.com/images/products/ST12C_A.mdt.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />That's what my 8 year old son said when he saw a picture of our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/st-counterbalanced-embedded-hinges-7629.html" target="_blank" title="ST Torque Hinges with Counterbalance">ST - Counterbalanced Embedded Hinges</a> on my desk. I have to admit, the picture of this new product on our website does look like something from a science fiction movie.<br /><br />So he asks me what it is. In my best &quot;TV commercial&quot; voice, I respond &quot;Well son, this is an ST - Counterbalanced Embedded Hinge. It delivers <strong>rugged</strong>, <strong>long-lasting</strong>, <strong>high-torque performance</strong> in a compact package. Further, these hinges provide <strong>lift-assist</strong> to reduce the required operator effort and give the designer the ability to control the desired user-effort to position panels or screens.&quot;<br /><br />He looks at me and laughs like I just said the funniest thing he had ever heard! &quot;No really dad, what does it do?&quot;<br /><br />Still&nbsp; laughing, I explain &quot;These ray gun thingies are actually little hinges that hold open the lid to a metal box.&nbsp; Kind of like how you hold a laptop screen open.&quot;<br /><br />Remarkably he hasn't reached for the remote or started staring off into space yet, so I continue.<br /><br /> &quot;Now that's pretty cool but what these hinges do is they HELP you open the lid to a heavy box.&nbsp; They make it easier to open. This is good for the lid to a freezer chest or a piano bench lid.&quot;<img hspace="5" height="118" align="right" width="178" vspace="5" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/5414f6166223eb5c059e3125a406181c.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Sensing I should wrap this up.... &quot;So really anywhere you have a heavy lid to open, these little &quot;ray gun hinges&quot; help you open it up and they keep the lid where you want it.&quot;<br /><br />I know have completely lost him at this point but feel satisfied that I have both fascinated and bored him in just 10 minutes.<br /><br />So what do you think? Feel free to leave a comment about what this new hinge looks like to you!<br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1112. <cpdm:created>2009-08-24 21:41:10</cpdm:created>
  1113. <cpdm:published>2009-08-24 21:41:10</cpdm:published>
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  1115. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1116. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/new-counterbalancing-hinges</cpdm:url>
  1117. </cpdm:post>
  1118. <cpdm:post id="4022bda8-1dce-4b75-808b-c00f9a1e43b1">
  1119. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Two New Rotary Latches]]></cpdm:title>
  1120. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><img hspace="4" vspace="4" align="left" width="87" height="126" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/967b0775205a05f33bf5d8cc975db7cc.jpg" />Outdoor environments can be intensely damaging to hardware. You&rsquo;ve seen it&hellip;missing doors, dented panels. It's not pretty. Off-highway and construction equipment can really&nbsp;take a beating. One of Southco&rsquo;s two new rotary latches&mdash;the <a title="rotary latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html">R4-20</a>&mdash;addresses this ugly problem by providing rugged performance suitable for door and access panel applications in<img hspace="4" vspace="4" align="right" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/4701836c56fb70f840b805dbb3b68eb1.jpg" /> industrial, off-highway, construction and transportation industries. A perfect choice for baggage doors, engine covers, exterior door and other outdoor access points. The medium-duty latch provides a compact design with the choice of single-stage engagement or two-stage engagement. Make no mistake; this latch brings all sorts of great benefits to the table.</p><p>Now if you need something more robust, the R4-50 is something to check out. It features a <img hspace="4" vspace="4" align="right" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/18207cee2e8cfcab1147575be80a5d38.jpg" />two-stage, double-rotor design that ensures secure closure even if a weak push leaves it in the secondary latched position. Much like your car door does when the door isn't closed hard enough. Design engineers that need to comply with governmental safety requirements need not worry; the latch satisfies the safety requirements of the U.S. FMVSS-206 standard for passenger entry doors.</p><p>Both of these new latches are concealed and in most applications are actuated remotely. We've launched three new actuators along with these latches. <a title="actuators" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7623">Push-button, T-Handle, and paddle actuator</a> designs complete the system for remote actuation of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty rotary latches using a cable connection.</p><p>Our applications engineers have a great deal of experience with these systems. To discuss how the flexibility might be adapted to your application, send us an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/contact/">email</a> or post a comment.</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1121. <cpdm:created>2009-09-23 20:28:13</cpdm:created>
  1122. <cpdm:published>2009-10-26 21:23:00</cpdm:published>
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  1125. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/two-new-rotary-latches</cpdm:url>
  1126. </cpdm:post>
  1127. <cpdm:post id="bf5ac9fa-82cb-4aff-a247-a6a35c4b6e38">
  1128. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Asking the right questions early]]></cpdm:title>
  1129. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" /><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" /><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator" /><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator" /><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmccoud%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><o:smarttagtype name="address" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="Street" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><img hspace="4" align="left" vspace="4" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/4032d39f2d1d5aab0990cbfc2f36d11e.jpg" />Make no mistake: The devil is, almost certainly, in the details. Today&rsquo;s consumers notice everything about a product, including&mdash;and especially&mdash;the little things. One Wall Street Journal review of a luxury automobile obsessed on the poor performance of a cup holder representing a tiny fraction of the car&rsquo;s overall cost.</o:smarttagtype></p><p><o:smarttagtype name="Street" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags">Sound crazy? It&rsquo;s not. </o:smarttagtype></p><p><o:smarttagtype name="Street" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags">And it&rsquo;s becoming more of an issue as consumers are conditioned to recognize quality design through the media, word-of-mouth advertising, and personal experience. Asking the right questions early in the concept stage goes a long way toward determining the ultimate success of a finished design. Those questions can range from issues of physical performance and cost efficiency to consumer preferences and the increasing important issue of ergonomics. </o:smarttagtype></p><o:smarttagtype name="Street" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><p><br /><img alt="" hspace="4" align="left" vspace="4" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; width: 94px; border-bottom: medium none; height: 176px" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/3771afa4aad7cf54f4c4398760172190.jpg" />Touchpoint Engineering holds tremendous promise by offering a methodical way to address the questions that likely are not at the forefront of a designer&rsquo;s mind when he or she initially sets out to solve a mechanical problem.</p><p>Let&rsquo;s get to the important detail, here: the bottom line! The initial investment in Touchpoint Engineering is small in terms of the time it takes to communicate the full scope of your project&rsquo;s need to a supplier with the necessary experience and resources. But the payback can be significant.</p><p>Touchpoint Engineering demands a different mindset and asks designers to identify a product&rsquo;s cumulative needs and best blend of available technologies to answer those needs. <br /><br />The result is savings in both time and money, and it can make the difference in the success or failure of a new product launch.</p><p>The look and feel of a latch, hinge or fastener affects how people perceive your products. Choosing the right access hardware solution can be integral in achieving your price point targets out in the market.</p><br /></o:smarttagtype><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmccoud%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData" /><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmccoud%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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  1494. <cpdm:created>2009-09-29 13:35:17</cpdm:created>
  1495. <cpdm:published>2009-09-29 13:35:17</cpdm:published>
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  1498. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/asking-the-right-questions-early</cpdm:url>
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  1500. <cpdm:post id="6bc471a7-2aae-45d0-b3e0-6f49e402fab2">
  1501. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Electromechanical Latching: The Heart of the System ]]></cpdm:title>
  1502. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><i>Part 1 of a 3-part series on Electronic Access Solutions</i></p><p><img align="left" width="108" height="180" style="border-bottom: thin solid; border-left: thin solid; margin: 4px; border-top: thin solid; border-right: thin solid" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/54d122e47f083df31f08bf745f0933e9.jpg" />They are critical to the overall quality of any <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">Electronic Access System</a>. Their design influences everything from electrical requirements and physical security to ease of installation and design of the end product. I&rsquo;m talking of course about the heart of every Electronic Access Solution: the electromechanical lock or latch (EML).</p><p>Here at Southco, the simple mechanical latch has transformed over the years into a reliable EML with the benefits of access control. I sit near the EML design group and it has been fantastic to witness the changes that have transpired!</p><p>With this transformation came amazing new benefits.</p><p>The design of the EML makes it an easy next step in security over mechanical latches. Its ability to provide access control (via a keypad, for example) opened up tremendous possibilities for full Electronic Access Systems. Today&rsquo;s Southco EMLs feature gear motor drives that use less power and provide higher load capabilities than solenoid-driven solutions. They also provide built-in intelligence and heavy-duty, vandal-resistant performance&mdash;features lacking in the mechanical latches of the past.</p><p>From a more technical standpoint, the EML has also evolved to include mechanical override options and latch status monitoring from a simple indicator light to a sophisticated monitoring system.&nbsp;Southco has embraced recent technological changes with three new EMLs of its own: the <a title="Electromechanical Rotary Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">R4-EM</a>, <a title="Electromechanical Swing Handle" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-em-electronic-locking-swinghandle-7638.html">H3-EM</a> and <a title="electronic Strike" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/em-e-keeper-electronic-strike-7578.html">E-Keeper</a>. All three provide robust performance that makes for a simple transition from mechanical to electronic access.</p><p>To share your thoughts on EMLs or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s offerings, email us or visit our site at <a href="http://www.southco.com/eas">www.southco.com/eas</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><b>Coming Next: </b>Part 2&mdash;Access Control: The Human Interface</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1503. <cpdm:created>2010-02-16 15:42:13</cpdm:created>
  1504. <cpdm:published>2010-02-16 15:42:13</cpdm:published>
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  1507. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/electromechanical-latching-the-heart-of-the-system-</cpdm:url>
  1508. </cpdm:post>
  1509. <cpdm:post id="c9ce6be1-62ad-4f5c-bb2a-8446f3161952">
  1510. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Access Control: The Human Interface]]></cpdm:title>
  1511. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><i>Part 2 of a 3-part series on Electronic Access Solutions</i><br /><br /><img align="left" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/8dda9cda2b89e2f0fd353d55f35c6879.jpg" style="margin: 1px 4px; width: 149px; height: 149px;" alt="R4 Electromechnical Latch" title="R4 Electromechnical Latch" />So you&rsquo;ve chosen the appropriate <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html" title="electromechnical latches">electromechanical lock or latch (EML)</a> 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.</p>That brings us to the next step in the process: choosing an access control device to suit your application&rsquo;s needs. Today&rsquo;s marketplace offers a wide variety of devices&mdash; 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.&nbsp; 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.<br /><p><img height="128" align="right" width="149" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/b9107f3309481fec16bef60ebd9fd0e3.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" alt="" /></p><p>A self-contained solution, such as a <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-k1-keypad-access-controller-7634.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Keypad">keypad</a>, 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. <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-p1-proximity-reader-7639.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Proximity Reader">Proximity based and remote RF control systems</a> 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.<br /><br />Southco's latest access control option is the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-b90-electronic-key-system-7642.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Electronic Key">electronic key</a>. 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 <img height="106" align="left" width="219" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/d0b38f1a2378acd8dcc1929794004f18.jpg" style="margin: 3px;" alt="" />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.&nbsp; Just press it against the remote sensor and the EML will open.&nbsp; (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!)<br /><br />Whatever the need, there's an access control solution suited to our application.</p> <p>To share your thoughts on Access Control or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s offerings, email us or visit our site at <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/Access-Control-Device.aspx">http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/Access-Control-Device.aspx</a></p><p><b>Coming Next: </b>Part 3&mdash;Remote Monitoring Solutions</p><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1512. <cpdm:created>2010-02-23 20:36:13</cpdm:created>
  1513. <cpdm:published>2010-02-23 20:36:13</cpdm:published>
  1514. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1515. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1516. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/access-control-the-human-interface</cpdm:url>
  1517. </cpdm:post>
  1518. <cpdm:post id="ede16df4-8f11-47de-a356-220bd69b6913">
  1519. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[HIMSS10 - Healthcare IT Conference and Exhibition]]></cpdm:title>
  1520. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><img align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 133px; height: 59px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/70d8d2da147b06c8711f3ebba94dceb0.gif" />Starting today, March 1st, and running through Wednesday, March 4th, our design and business teams will be&nbsp;attending the <a title="HIMSS10" href="http://www.himssconference.org/"><font color="#4c6e9d">HIMSS10-Healthcare IT Conference and Exhibition</font></a> in Atlanta, Georgia. They will be walking the show and talking with customers regarding their needs for&nbsp;<a title="Southco Dynamic Mounting Arms" target="_blank" href="http://lp.southco.com/AV-ArmsLP.html?LeadSource=blog">monitor arms</a> and <a title="Electronic Access Solutions" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/"><font color="#4c6e9d">electronic access solutions</font></a>.</p><p>We&nbsp;look forward to meeting with any of you visiting the&nbsp;Georgia World Congress&nbsp;Center&nbsp;for what promises to be an exciting event.&nbsp; 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.</p><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1521. <cpdm:created>2010-03-01 15:40:53</cpdm:created>
  1522. <cpdm:published>2010-03-01 15:40:53</cpdm:published>
  1523. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1524. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1525. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/himss10-healthcare-it-conference-and-exhibition</cpdm:url>
  1526. </cpdm:post>
  1527. <cpdm:post id="86f23f08-5b50-4bff-ae67-cbca84e11fb5">
  1528. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Remote Monitoring Solutions ]]></cpdm:title>
  1529. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  1530. <b>Remote Monitoring Solutions </b></p>
  1531. <p>
  1532. <i>Part 3 of a 3-part series on Electronic Access Solutions</i></p>
  1533. <p>
  1534. &nbsp;</p>
  1535. <p>
  1536. 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 <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/" target="_blank" title="Electronic Access Solution">Electronic Access Solution </a>(EAS).</p>
  1537. <p>
  1538. So how does it work? Let&rsquo;s take Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7638" target="_blank" title="Electronic Locking Swing Handle">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle </a>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. &nbsp;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.</p>
  1539. <p>
  1540. The possibilities with today&rsquo;s remote monitoring solutions are endless. You can provide an electronic &ldquo;signature&rdquo; 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.</p>
  1541. <p>
  1542. &nbsp;<img align="left" alt="" height="125" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/6ab46c30243e8cbd56fb608432d930eb.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" width="181" />If you&#39;d like to get started on an electronic access solution integration, be sure to check out our new <a href="http://lp.southco.com/EAS.html?LeadSource=Public%20Relations&LeadSourceDetail=Blog-032910" target="_blank" title="EAS Request form">EAS Guide</a>. It will walk you through the basic components you will need for your system. Once you know what you want, <a href="http://info@southco.com" target="_blank">contact our dedicated design team </a>with your design requirements so we can help get your project rolling!</p>
  1543. <p>
  1544. &nbsp;</p>
  1545. <p>
  1546. &nbsp;</p>
  1547. <p>
  1548. &nbsp;</p>
  1549. <p>
  1550. &nbsp;</p>
  1551. <p>
  1552. <br />
  1553. If an Electronic Access Solution&nbsp;is not what you are looking for right now, you can always check out our complete line of <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/products-0.html" target="_blank" title="latches hinges captive fasteners">latches, hinges, or captive fasteners</a>.</p>
  1554. <p>
  1555. &nbsp;</p>
  1556. <p>
  1557. &nbsp;</p>
  1558. <p>
  1559. &nbsp;</p>
  1560. <p>
  1561. &nbsp;</p>
  1562. ]]></cpdm:body>
  1563. <cpdm:created>2010-03-29 18:47:23</cpdm:created>
  1564. <cpdm:published>2010-03-29 18:47:23</cpdm:published>
  1565. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1566. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1567. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/remote-monitoring-solutions-</cpdm:url>
  1568. </cpdm:post>
  1569. <cpdm:post id="5fd669c2-3778-4c90-b021-0ba182356a48">
  1570. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Two Southco Products Named Golden Mousetrap Finalists]]></cpdm:title>
  1571. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img title="Design News Golden Moustrap Finalist" alt="Design News Golden Moustrap Finalist" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 128px; height: 96px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7873dd790d3d172381198445339021ab.jpg" />This week Design News announced its Annual <a target="_blank" href="http://www.designnews.com/info/2094-Golden_Mousetrap_Winners_2010.php">Best New Products Awards</a> 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.<br /><br /><img title="Electromechanical Swinghandle" alt="Electromechanical Swinghandle" align="right" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 114px; height: 85px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/83c109fee754a4a2d25ba6d386d24a4f.jpg" /><br /><a title="electronic locking swinghandle" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7638">Southco&rsquo;s H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle </a>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.<br /><img title="Dynamic Mounting Arm" alt="Dynamic Mounting Arm" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 131px; height: 113px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/18bda091987e09259a488c31912a23f1.jpg" /><br /><a title="Dynamic Mounting Arm" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7641">Southco&rsquo;s AV-D30 Dynamic Mounting Arm </a>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. <br /><br /><br />While neither product won the category,&nbsp;our design teams&nbsp;are honored to&nbsp;have two of our new products&nbsp;selected as finalists by Design News. We look forward to competing again next year!<br /><br />If you are interested in seeing any of the other 25 new latches, hinges, or fasteners that we launched in the past year, <a title="New Products - latches hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/product/new-products.aspx">click here</a>.]]></cpdm:body>
  1572. <cpdm:created>2010-04-21 18:09:55</cpdm:created>
  1573. <cpdm:published>2010-04-21 18:09:55</cpdm:published>
  1574. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1575. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1576. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/two-southco-products-named-golden-mousetrap-finalists</cpdm:url>
  1577. </cpdm:post>
  1578. <cpdm:post id="50a82b72-523b-4914-9d36-661149e85519">
  1579. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[2010 Windpower Conference]]></cpdm:title>
  1580. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br /><img align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 239px; height: 113px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c52ac55321ae6409cf5375e40684648f.jpg" />Our team will be walking the <a title="2010 Windpower" target="_blank" href="http://2010.windpowerexpo.org/">2010 Windpower Conference</a>&nbsp;this week.&nbsp;They'll be there&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;Southco's&nbsp;upcoming <a title="Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latch </a>and <a title="hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a> designs that&nbsp;are&nbsp;in the works for the alternative energy industry.<br /><br />Feel free to say hello and let us know what you're working on!]]></cpdm:body>
  1581. <cpdm:created>2010-05-25 13:41:52</cpdm:created>
  1582. <cpdm:published>2010-05-25 13:41:52</cpdm:published>
  1583. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1584. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1585. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/2010-windpower-conference</cpdm:url>
  1586. </cpdm:post>
  1587. <cpdm:post id="3e7042e7-9979-4ed3-a35c-a28b661f2326">
  1588. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[CTT Conference, Moscow Russia]]></cpdm:title>
  1589. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br /><img alt="" align="left" width="171" height="45" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/6b230b3b0d15d32d4bc47e2f12d8802e.gif" /><br />Next week we'll be exhibiting at the CTT Conference in Moscow, Russia. If you are attending the show, please join us at Booth 3-341 in Hall 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;The team is looking forward to&nbsp;speaking&nbsp;with our customers and learning more about their needs.<br /><br />We'll be displaying our latest innovative products for the off-highway and construction industries.&nbsp; Stop by and be the first to see these new products:<br /><br /><img alt="" align="left" width="75" height="75" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 2px 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/5530ef304ed18699f85409e34690813d.jpg" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a title="Heavy Duty Compression Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/n2-heavy-duty-lift-turn-compression-latches-7616.html">Heavy Duty Lift and Turn Compression Latches</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" align="left" width="75" height="75" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 2px 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/51e3178478ee5ed46147820a86674871.jpg" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a title="Single Point Actuators" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-single-point-actuators-7623.html">Single Point Actuators</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" align="left" width="100" height="100" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 2px 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/ba33fa6f2a8c0bfbcc86f1cb0352d976.jpg" /><br /><br /><a title="Wireless Remote Controller" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-r01-rf-wireless-remote-controller-7643.html">RF Wireless Remote Controller</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" align="left" width="100" height="100" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 2px 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/8dda9cda2b89e2f0fd353d55f35c6879.jpg" /><br /><br /><a title="Electronic Rotary Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">Electronic Rotary Latches</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1590. <cpdm:created>2010-05-25 14:13:40</cpdm:created>
  1591. <cpdm:published>2010-05-25 14:13:40</cpdm:published>
  1592. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1593. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1594. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/ctt-conference-moscow-russia</cpdm:url>
  1595. </cpdm:post>
  1596. <cpdm:post id="ec5fb60c-36da-40e3-9c17-0e7f2e19a4fe">
  1597. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Off-highway challenges and entry door solutions]]></cpdm:title>
  1598. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>Part 1 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components<br /><br /><img alt="" align="left" width="250" height="265" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9cd05031c848dc2cb067a5f287d95d4a.jpg" />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.<br /><br />If you&rsquo;ve operated multiple vehicles on a job site, then you know the joy of multiple keys. Not exactly convenient. <a title="electronic key" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-b90-electronic-key-system-7642.html">Electronic key systems </a>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!<br /><br />Southco&rsquo;s actuators and <a title="Latches for off-highway" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/product/classlist.aspx?iid=5&amp;hid=7315">latches</a> are designed to ensure durability and ergonomic comfort in heavy duty vehicles and equipment. Corrosion-resistant products mean you won&rsquo;t see rust and deterioration, and <a title="push to close latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/push-to-close-latches-7318.html">push-to-close </a>convenience ensures you won't break a sweat struggling to close a squeaking door.<br /><br />Let&rsquo;s face it; it&rsquo;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&rsquo;s complete system offerings, email us or <a title="off-highway design guide" target="_blank" href="http://lp.southco.com/OffHighwayLP.html?LeadSource=OH_Blog1">download your copy of our Design Guide today</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;Coming Next: Part 2&mdash; Chassis Components for a Rugged Environment<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1599. <cpdm:created>2010-05-27 17:37:35</cpdm:created>
  1600. <cpdm:published>2010-05-27 17:37:35</cpdm:published>
  1601. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1602. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1603. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/off-highway-challenges-and-entry-door-solutions</cpdm:url>
  1604. </cpdm:post>
  1605. <cpdm:post id="dc3ff025-4b72-4870-ad37-b4d0ccb6a511">
  1606. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Chassis Components for a Rugged Environment]]></cpdm:title>
  1607. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 2 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components</em><br /><br /><img align="left" style="margin: 4px; width: 262px; height: 276px;" title="Large Equipment" alt="Large Equipment" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/639fb3bb50041bceea5ef33cb84b1960.jpg" />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. <br /><br />If you work in the off-highway or construction industries, then it won&rsquo;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 <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/n2-heavy-duty-lift-turn-compression-latches-7616.html" target="_blank" title="n2 heavy duty lift turn compression latches">folding t-handle compression latches</a> have been engineered to withstand high loads, shock and vibration. These types of latches feature a rugged &ldquo;lift and turn&rdquo; operation that promises both dependability and a comfortable grasp. <br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7623" target="_blank" title="Single-Point Actuators">remote actuator</a>, these latches offer the convenience of push button actuation and the confidence of positive latch engagement. <br /><br />Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/classlist.aspx?zid=8" target="_blank" title="Chassis Solutions">chassis solutions</a> 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. <br /><br />To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete system offerings, email us or <a href="http://lp.southco.com/OffHighwayLP.html?LeadSource=OH_Blog2" target="_blank" title="Off Highway Design Guide">download your copy of our Design Guide today</a>.<br />&nbsp;<br />Coming Next: Part 3&mdash; Off-highway Interiors: Safety, Comfort and Convenience <br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1608. <cpdm:created>2010-06-10 16:04:30</cpdm:created>
  1609. <cpdm:published>2010-06-10 16:04:30</cpdm:published>
  1610. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1611. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1612. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/chassis-components-for-a-rugged-environment</cpdm:url>
  1613. </cpdm:post>
  1614. <cpdm:post id="c31f8b89-95ba-4ebe-933f-c43cb0d170a3">
  1615. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco's D4 DZUS Line Helps Keep WW2 Bomber, Sally B, In the Air]]></cpdm:title>
  1616. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>DZUS flies high with Sally B<br /></strong></div><br /><img align="left" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c14f070bb628e8c7f01dd76b4ffb704a.jpg" style="border: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 183px; height: 125px;" alt="Dzus Fasteners help keep Sally B in the air" title="Dzus Fasteners help keep Sally B in the air" />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.<br /><br />Steve Carter, Flight Engineer and Deputy Engineering Supervisor explains how Southco has helped keep World War 2 bomber Sally B in the air. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.southco.com/newscenter/default.aspx?sid=0&amp;aid=2d0e1b79-cdaa-4510-8425-0028a1164797" target="_blank">Click here to read on!</a>]]></cpdm:body>
  1617. <cpdm:created>2010-06-14 21:13:17</cpdm:created>
  1618. <cpdm:published>2010-09-20 18:54:00</cpdm:published>
  1619. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1620. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1621. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/southcos-d4-dzus-line-helps-keep-ww2-bomber-sally-b-in-the-air</cpdm:url>
  1622. <cpdm:comments>
  1623. <cpdm:comment id="cc3fd397-46fe-4a33-b6e0-c46295382af8">
  1624. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Fraser]]></cpdm:name>
  1625. <cpdm:email>fraser@rhf.co.uk</cpdm:email>
  1626. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-06 16:18:43</cpdm:submitted>
  1627. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1628. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[As I live only 15 minutes from Duxford, Sally B is a familiar site in my local sky. Magnificent old girl that she is. Nice to know that Southco has contributed to her longevity....]]></cpdm:body>
  1629. </cpdm:comment>
  1630. </cpdm:comments>
  1631. </cpdm:post>
  1632. <cpdm:post id="32b37ea3-03b5-4bfd-b1de-8a1f90887b03">
  1633. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Off-highway interiors: Safety, comfort and convenience]]></cpdm:title>
  1634. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  1635. <br />
  1636. <img align="left" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/2721597d44ff65a53f5bfc0b20b53693.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 192px; height: 154px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" /><em>Part 3 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components</em><br />
  1637. <br />
  1638. 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&rsquo;s not surprising that Southco has developed our products for these vehicles with ergonomics as a top priority.<br />
  1639. <br />
  1640. Streamlined&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank" title="Position Control Hinges">position control hinges&nbsp;</a>allow for precise control of the cab environment&mdash;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&rsquo;t go tumbling out every time you hit a bump. Southco also incorporates easy accessibility into its access hardware, so you won&rsquo;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.<br />
  1641. <br />
  1642. Southco&rsquo;s standard and custom designed tilt and swivel mechanisms provide multi-axis control for raising, rotating and positioning display screens. And <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/dzus-quarter-turn-fasteners-7345.html" target="_blank" title="quarter turn fasteners">quarter-turn fasteners </a>range from lightweight plastic fasteners to heavy-duty stainless steel varieties so the right fastener can be found to suit your application&rsquo;s requirements.<br />
  1643. <br />
  1644. To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete system offerings, email us or <a href="http://lp.southco.com/OffHighwayLP.html?LeadSource=Public%20Relations&LeadSourceDescription=Blog-062910" target="_blank" title="Off Highway Design Guide"><font color="#4c6e9d">download your copy of our Design Guide today</font></a>.</p>
  1645. ]]></cpdm:body>
  1646. <cpdm:created>2010-06-29 21:04:10</cpdm:created>
  1647. <cpdm:published>2010-06-29 21:04:10</cpdm:published>
  1648. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1649. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1650. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/off-highway-interiors-safety-comfort-and-convenience</cpdm:url>
  1651. </cpdm:post>
  1652. <cpdm:post id="9ed9835f-1ba7-4712-9b31-f761f7e2724f">
  1653. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Part 3 of a 3 part series]]></cpdm:title>
  1654. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<br /><img align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 192px; height: 154px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/2721597d44ff65a53f5bfc0b20b53693.jpg" /><em>Part 3 of a 3-part series on off-highway access components<br /></em><br />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&rsquo;s not surprising that Southco has developed our products for these vehicles with ergonomics as a top priority. <br /><br />Streamlined&nbsp;<a title="Position Control Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">position control hinges&nbsp;</a>allow for precise control of the cab environment&mdash;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&rsquo;t go tumbling out every time you hit a bump. Southco also incorporates easy accessibility into its access hardware, so you won&rsquo;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. <br /><br />Southco&rsquo;s standard and custom designed tilt and swivel mechanisms provide multi-axis control for raising, rotating and positioning display screens. And <a title="quarter turn fasteners" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/dzus-quarter-turn-fasteners-7345.html">quarter-turn fasteners </a>range from lightweight plastic fasteners to heavy-duty stainless steel varieties so the right fastener can be found to suit your application&rsquo;s requirements. <br /><br />To share your thoughts on entry door solutions or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete system offerings, email us or <a title="Off Highway Design Guide" href="http://lp.southco.com/OffHighwayLP.html?LeadSource=OH_Blog2" target="_blank"><font color="#4c6e9d">download your copy of our Design Guide today</font></a>.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1655. <cpdm:created>2010-06-30 19:35:48</cpdm:created>
  1656. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  1657. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1658. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  1659. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/part-3-of-a-3-part-series</cpdm:url>
  1660. </cpdm:post>
  1661. <cpdm:post id="fddaca77-8378-4505-86aa-49583b58aed4">
  1662. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco's new delayed re-lock electronic rotary latches]]></cpdm:title>
  1663. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><br /><img title="Car door rotary latch" alt="Car door rotary latch" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 107px; height: 83px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/481435793a88baacfaabbdc460c0712b.jpg" />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&hellip;yes! The simple addition of electronics to a standard rotary latch opens a new world of possibilities.&nbsp;</p><p>A <a title="rotary Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html">mechanical rotary latch</a> is commonly opened with a cable that is routed to it from an<img title="r4 rotary latch" alt="r4 rotary latch" align="right" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 87px; height: 78px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/eeb61a69048fb5c4a85de710680b90ef.jpg" /> 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>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&rsquo;s <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">Delayed Re-lock R4-EM&nbsp;</a>takes the versatile rotary latch technology of its predecessor and marries it with the ability to control the unlock time.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt="" align="left" width="85" height="70" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/f45858f26b1909bff0a9f82e89652661.jpg" />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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s got a lot of punch in an efficient package. <br /><br />To share your thoughts on the R4-EM rotary latch or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete <a title="electronic access " target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">Electronic Access</a> offerings, email us or visit our site at <a title="Electronic Rotary Action Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">http://www.southco.com </a></p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1664. <cpdm:created>2010-08-12 13:43:23</cpdm:created>
  1665. <cpdm:published>2010-08-12 13:43:23</cpdm:published>
  1666. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1667. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1668. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/southcos-new-delayed-re-lock-electronic-rotary-latches</cpdm:url>
  1669. <cpdm:comments>
  1670. <cpdm:comment id="0f5c55e9-4d0b-4f5f-9220-bb3370c9aae7">
  1671. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[HP Pavilion]]></cpdm:name>
  1672. <cpdm:email>hppavilion@mail.ru</cpdm:email>
  1673. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-14 10:03:21</cpdm:submitted>
  1674. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1675. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Mythical! This blog looks word for word like my disused one! It's on a totally unusual thesis but it has euphonious much the anyhow layout and design. Famed choice of colors!]]></cpdm:body>
  1676. </cpdm:comment>
  1677. <cpdm:comment id="cac65823-c016-4cbd-99bb-989f04a4626b">
  1678. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[buy drill]]></cpdm:name>
  1679. <cpdm:email>hppavilion@mail.ru</cpdm:email>
  1680. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-20 01:08:46</cpdm:submitted>
  1681. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1682. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Impossible! This blog looks just like my old identical! It's on a completely unusual subject-matter but it has bonny much the regardless episode layout and design. Wonderful option of colors!]]></cpdm:body>
  1683. </cpdm:comment>
  1684. <cpdm:comment id="d41ab849-1030-42d5-9404-5d96f3620fa0">
  1685. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[buy drill]]></cpdm:name>
  1686. <cpdm:email>hppavilion@mail.ru</cpdm:email>
  1687. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-22 00:28:46</cpdm:submitted>
  1688. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1689. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Fabulous! This blog looks strictly like my prehistoric in unison! It's on a unambiguously unusual topic but it has bonny much the same layout and design. Vast selection of colors!]]></cpdm:body>
  1690. </cpdm:comment>
  1691. </cpdm:comments>
  1692. </cpdm:post>
  1693. <cpdm:post id="ae104981-94e2-4534-91be-e603160eb91b">
  1694. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Compression Latch Solutions at Innotrans]]></cpdm:title>
  1695. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img height="101" width="100" align="left" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/e1ac95541e67814cb3844e0be2cb27eb.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" alt="" /> This week <a href="http://www.southco.com/" target="_blank" title="Southco Home">Southco</a> 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.<br /><br />We'll can be found in <a href="http://www.virtualmarket.innotrans.de/index.php5?ids=1218&amp;zoom=1&amp;compact=0&amp;Action=showHallplanImage" target="_blank" title="Southco compression latch solutions at Innotrans">Hall 3.1 Stand 220</a>. Stop by and see what over 60 years of constant innovation in compression latch technology can do for you.&nbsp; Our technical staff will be on hand to answer questions and help solve the most difficult application challenges you show them.<br /><br />On display will be our <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/compression-latches-7317.html" target="_blank" title="compression latches">stainless steel compression latches</a>, <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html" target="_blank" title="electronic access solutions">electronic access solutions</a>, and <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank" title="position control technology">position control technology</a>. <br /><br />We look forward to seeing you this week!<br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1696. <cpdm:created>2010-09-20 17:59:11</cpdm:created>
  1697. <cpdm:published>2010-09-20 17:59:11</cpdm:published>
  1698. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1699. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1700. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/compression-latch-solutions-at-innotrans</cpdm:url>
  1701. </cpdm:post>
  1702. <cpdm:post id="994faa47-ac85-43a0-9a99-bf333eccaeec">
  1703. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Data Center World Conference Wrap Up]]></cpdm:title>
  1704. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img height="76" width="84" align="left" alt="" style="margin: 4px;" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/b7dbecaa56744bdb6577d31d931460c6.jpg" />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. <br /><br />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 <a title="electronic access solutions" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html">electronic access</a> market. <br /><br /><br />Look for a blog from my colleague <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.southco.com/blog/industry-marketing-thoughts">Maureen Donovan</a> and what she saw at the show in the next few days. I am certain that it will be an entertaining post. &nbsp; <br /><br />You can learn more about Southco's <a title="electronic access solutions" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html">Electronic Access Solutions</a> and all of our other <a title="latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latch</a> and <a title="hinge" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a> solutions at our website, www.southco.com.<br /><br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1705. <cpdm:created>2010-10-05 20:33:13</cpdm:created>
  1706. <cpdm:published>2010-10-05 20:33:13</cpdm:published>
  1707. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1708. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1709. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/data-center-world-conference-wrap-up</cpdm:url>
  1710. </cpdm:post>
  1711. <cpdm:post id="42a226c5-3517-433c-8875-ce49286a5f55">
  1712. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Safety and Security in The Healthcare Industry]]></cpdm:title>
  1713. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  1714. <em>Part 1 of a 2-part series on healthcare access hardware solutions</em><br />
  1715. <br />
  1716. <img align="left" alt="" height="127" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/e69b1745ee2036a5f383db04badc070c.jpg" style="border-bottom: thin solid; border-left: thin solid; margin: 4px; border-top: thin solid; border-right: thin solid" width="129" />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&rsquo;s a challenge. And it&rsquo;s one that Southco takes seriously.<br />
  1717. <br />
  1718. Southco has designed its access systems (mechanical and electronic alike) to meet the healthcare industry&rsquo;s strict measures for increased security and patient safety.&nbsp;<br />
  1719. <br />
  1720. You can imagine the danger a hospital might face if its secure areas were easily<img align="right" alt="" height="84" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/b1f7ef06f9dffc50c0c8bf6fc05f7ad0.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" width="117" /> compromised. Whether it&rsquo;s quarter-turn locks or advanced compression and push-to-close latches, Southco&rsquo;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.<br />
  1721. <br />
  1722. <img align="left" alt="" height="114" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7bff1a86c9e87e7032321262ae8c9ae5.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" width="174" />But there are instances when managing physical keys is simply not practical or when dealing with&nbsp; 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&rsquo;s also nice is that electronic locks offer programmability that enables automatic relocking, time delays and other unique requirements.<br />
  1723. <br />
  1724. To share your thoughts on healthcare industry challenges or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete system offerings, <a href="http://info@southco.com">email us</a> or&nbsp;<a href="http://lp.southco.com/Healthcare.html?LeadSource=Public%20Relations&LeadSourceDescription=Blog-101920" title="Access hardware solutions guide">request your copy</a> of Southco&rsquo;s Healthcare Access Hardware Guide.<br />
  1725. &nbsp;<br />
  1726. Coming Next: Part 2&mdash; Ergonomic solutions for the healthcare industry</p>
  1727. ]]></cpdm:body>
  1728. <cpdm:created>2010-10-19 19:38:49</cpdm:created>
  1729. <cpdm:published>2010-10-19 19:38:49</cpdm:published>
  1730. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1731. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1732. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/safety-and-security-in-the-healthcare-industry</cpdm:url>
  1733. <cpdm:comments>
  1734. <cpdm:comment id="b9ca497f-af3a-440e-b9f6-776c382d68e3">
  1735. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[MAXINEMarquez19]]></cpdm:name>
  1736. <cpdm:email>nancygarcia@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  1737. <cpdm:submitted>2010-12-05 14:10:00</cpdm:submitted>
  1738. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1739. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[This is great that we can take the loan moreover, this opens new possibilities.]]></cpdm:body>
  1740. </cpdm:comment>
  1741. </cpdm:comments>
  1742. </cpdm:post>
  1743. <cpdm:post id="68b63d75-367d-490c-9047-4b2430905420">
  1744. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[The Mini E-Keeper: A little package with some big benefits]]></cpdm:title>
  1745. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><br />It&rsquo;s 2/3 the size of its big brother, features an integrated mechanical override and boasts a more efficient gear motor. Meet the <a title="Miniature Electronic Strike" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/em-05-miniature-electronic-keeper-system-7647.html">Miniature E-Keeper System</a>&mdash;a slimmed-down access solution that provides push-to-close operation in one unit. <br /><br /><img title="Southco Miniature Electronic Strike" alt="Southco Miniature Electronic Strike" align="left" style="border-bottom: thin solid; border-left: thin solid; margin: 4px; width: 131px; height: 113px; border-top: thin solid; border-right: thin solid" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/62b4910137d57fdba083ce543a2069ee/em_05_11_1x1_mdt.jpg" />This compact unit means that transitioning from mechanical solutions to <a title="electronic access solutions" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">electronic access solutions</a> could not be simpler. It&rsquo;s easy to install and can be added right to a frame for use with existing <a title="Southco Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latches</a>. If security is a major concern, it can mounted in a concealed location with remote mechanical override. Which means&mdash;yes&mdash;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.<br /><img title="vending machine" alt="vending machine" align="right" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 74px; height: 162px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/77975363a87a3614519bba94c9340695/vending_20machine.jpg" /><br />Another great thing about the Mini? It&rsquo;s flexible. So it&rsquo;ll work with <a title="Southco Electronic Keypads" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-k1-keypad-access-controller-7634.html">keypads</a>, <a title="Southco Electronic Keys" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-b90-electronic-key-system-7642.html">key fobs</a>, <a title="Southco Proximity Reader" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-p1-proximity-reader-7639.html">card swipes</a>&hellip;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&hellip;secure electronic or manual operation without having to modify enclosure designs. That&rsquo;ll make OEMs happy!</p><p>To share your thoughts on the E-Keeper or learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete system offerings, leave us a comment here. We&rsquo;d love to <a target="_blank" href="http://info@southco.com">hear from you</a>! <br /></p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1746. <cpdm:created>2011-02-01 18:41:43</cpdm:created>
  1747. <cpdm:published>2011-02-01 18:41:43</cpdm:published>
  1748. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1749. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1750. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/miniature-electronic-strike</cpdm:url>
  1751. <cpdm:comments>
  1752. <cpdm:comment id="1026dbf2-0b49-43ad-a307-9ff180c7f248">
  1753. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[GreeneDARLA]]></cpdm:name>
  1754. <cpdm:email>lindathorn@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  1755. <cpdm:submitted>2011-02-14 14:24:34</cpdm:submitted>
  1756. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1757. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Set your life time easier get the home loans and all you require.]]></cpdm:body>
  1758. </cpdm:comment>
  1759. <cpdm:comment id="a5097494-fd58-4c6c-bc78-3c9454cdc250">
  1760. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Joshua ]]></cpdm:name>
  1761. <cpdm:email>Dragonfirebacon@gmail.com</cpdm:email>
  1762. <cpdm:submitted>2012-09-05 14:20:54</cpdm:submitted>
  1763. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1764. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[How much does it cost?$$$]]></cpdm:body>
  1765. </cpdm:comment>
  1766. </cpdm:comments>
  1767. </cpdm:post>
  1768. <cpdm:post id="f0289deb-edef-4f93-9d82-9ce9f2dd4b4e">
  1769. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Stainless Steel Rotary Latch Designed to Meet Challenges of Marine Industry]]></cpdm:title>
  1770. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[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. <br /><img title="Stainless Steel Rotary Action Latch" alt="Stainless Steel Rotary Action Latch" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 195px; height: 135px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/94d565d0f7c6bb2bd933383f57aa684f/r4_rotary_pushtocloseb_mdt.jpg" /><br />Southco understands the need for a reliable rotary latch that can withstand salt, sun and the damaging effects of water. Hence, the <a title="Stainless Steel Rotary Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html">Stainless Steel R4-10 </a>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! <br />&nbsp;<br />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 <a title="Stainless Steel Actuator" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/list/ac-single-point-actuators-7623.html">AC-M1 actuator </a>makes a nice addition, too. It is constructed of 316 grade stainless steel and delivers corrosion resistance and enhanced security.<br /><br />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&rsquo;s line of rotary latches, email us or visit our site at <a href="http://www.southco.com">http://www.southco.com</a> <br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1771. <cpdm:created>2011-03-01 18:41:27</cpdm:created>
  1772. <cpdm:published>2011-03-01 18:41:27</cpdm:published>
  1773. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1774. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1775. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/stainless-steel-rotary-latch-designed-to-meet-challenges-of-marine-industry</cpdm:url>
  1776. <cpdm:comments>
  1777. <cpdm:comment id="58c41612-58f0-4d28-a108-2b278385d24f">
  1778. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[SNOWRosalie28]]></cpdm:name>
  1779. <cpdm:email>lindathorn@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  1780. <cpdm:submitted>2011-03-14 07:59:04</cpdm:submitted>
  1781. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1782. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I received 1 st loan when I was very young and it helped my relatives very much. Nevertheless, I require the student loan as well.]]></cpdm:body>
  1783. </cpdm:comment>
  1784. </cpdm:comments>
  1785. </cpdm:post>
  1786. <cpdm:post id="1f0e86b4-02a0-4582-9a97-361ddd20db85">
  1787. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[CAD files available for download]]></cpdm:title>
  1788. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>My tech support group just sent me some kind words about our website and the CAD files that are available for download there. Every once in a while a customer lets us know that we're doing a good job and it is really encouraging to hear this. So I thought I would post a segment of this happy customer's email to my blog today.<br /><br /></p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1789. <cpdm:created>2011-03-24 19:22:06</cpdm:created>
  1790. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  1791. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1792. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  1793. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/cad-files-available-for-download</cpdm:url>
  1794. </cpdm:post>
  1795. <cpdm:post id="617e108a-5376-435d-8587-20b19fb93c2a">
  1796. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[The EML Goes High(er) Tech]]></cpdm:title>
  1797. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  1798. 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 <img align="left" alt="Biometric Electronic Latch" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/ded96198955c0464eff9f6cde49682a7/h3_em_fingerprint.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 106px; height: 325px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" title="Biometric Electronic Latch" />resulted in the industry&rsquo;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.<br />
  1799. <br />
  1800. The db ServerRack access control system marries Southco&rsquo;s proven <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-em-electronic-locking-swinghandle-7638.html" target="_blank" title="electronic locking swinghandle">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle</a> with a built-in, multi-stage fingerprint verification and access control system from Digitus Biometrics. It sounds very &ldquo;CSI,&rdquo; but it&rsquo;s actually quite simple and very effective.<br />
  1801. <br />
  1802. The access control unit connects directly to a datacenter&rsquo;s network via an <img align="right" alt="fingerprint" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7569a5429bf86edc99fe92914b56118f/fingerprint.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 104px; height: 103px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" title="fingerprint" />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.&nbsp;<br />
  1803. <br />
  1804. To view Southco&#39;s entire line of&nbsp;Electronic Latches visit our new dedicated <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/default.aspx" target="_blank" title="Electronic Access Solutions">Electronic Access Solutions Mini-site</a> and download a copy of our <a href="http://lp.southco.com/eas.html?LeadSource=Public%20Relations&amp;LeadSourceDescription=EASdbblog" target="_blank" title="Electronic Latch Guide">electronic latching guide</a>.<br />
  1805. &nbsp;</p>
  1806. ]]></cpdm:body>
  1807. <cpdm:created>2011-04-07 18:31:27</cpdm:created>
  1808. <cpdm:published>2011-04-07 18:31:27</cpdm:published>
  1809. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1810. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1811. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/the-eml-goes-higher-tech</cpdm:url>
  1812. </cpdm:post>
  1813. <cpdm:post id="30bf64bb-4791-455b-8bbe-f3606051bf83">
  1814. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco's New Membrane Keypad ]]></cpdm:title>
  1815. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img title="Membrane Keypad" alt="Membrane Keypad" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 147px; height: 132px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/1752e3c8aac5768f99ee734e1d066c21/ea_kc2_102_mdt.jpg" />It's always nice when a respected publication like PD&amp;D puts one of our new products on their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pddnet.com/product-southco-membrane-keypad-access-controller-051011/">website</a>.<br /><br />The latest new product to be placed on their site is our <a title="Membrane Keypad" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-kc2-membrane-keypad-access-controller-7651.html">EA-KC2 Membrane Keypad Access Controller.</a> <br /><br />This new keypad can adhere to a&nbsp;frame or door, inside&nbsp;or out. The ability to adhere or be molded into a wide variety of surfaces, combined with connecting it to any one of our <a title="Electromechanical Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/electro-mechanical-locks.aspx">Electronic Latches or Locks&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;brings electronic access to applications that would not have been possible just a few years ago. <br /><br />Please leave a comment or <a href="http://info@southco.com">email us</a> if you would like to hear about some examples of how this new technology is being used in the marketplace.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1816. <cpdm:created>2011-05-11 20:31:51</cpdm:created>
  1817. <cpdm:published>2011-05-11 20:31:51</cpdm:published>
  1818. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1819. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1820. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/southcos-new-membrane-keypad</cpdm:url>
  1821. </cpdm:post>
  1822. <cpdm:post id="8929535b-6c7e-4dbe-a5ae-68f29a020b6d">
  1823. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[IFSEC 2011]]></cpdm:title>
  1824. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Join Southco at the <a title="IFSEC Tradeshow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ifsec.co.uk/">IFSEC 2011 Tradeshow</a> this week.&nbsp; We will be displaying our latest <a title="Electronic Access Solutions" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">Electronic Access Solutions</a> at the Isonas booth, Hall 4 4/E160d. <br /><br /><img title="IFSEC 2011" alt="IFSEC 2011" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 236px; height: 71px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/a442e494b563096c089ff99799122dca/ifsec.jpg" />Our Applications Engineers will be on hand to answer your toughest implementation challenges.<br /><br />We look forward to seeing you there!<br /><br />If you are unable to attend, feel free to&nbsp;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 <a title="Southco Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latches</a>, <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a>, or <a title="Southco Locks" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/locks-7749.html">locks</a>.<br /><br />About IFSEC:<br /><em><br /></em><em><p>IFSEC is the largest annual security event in the UK.</p><p>This year's show saw IFSEC continue to offer unrivalled security solutions to more than 22,743 security professionals.</p><p>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.</p><br /></em>]]></cpdm:body>
  1825. <cpdm:created>2011-05-16 17:51:41</cpdm:created>
  1826. <cpdm:published>2011-05-16 17:51:41</cpdm:published>
  1827. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1828. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1829. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/ifsec-2011</cpdm:url>
  1830. <cpdm:comments>
  1831. <cpdm:comment id="1c7ea58b-7ecc-46f7-873a-4ac8dd0f4240">
  1832. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[McbrideBlanca]]></cpdm:name>
  1833. <cpdm:email>nancygarcia@mail15.com</cpdm:email>
  1834. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-08 03:47:03</cpdm:submitted>
  1835. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1836. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[That is known that cash can make us independent. But what to do if someone doesn't have cash? The one way only is to receive the business loans or just credit loan.]]></cpdm:body>
  1837. </cpdm:comment>
  1838. </cpdm:comments>
  1839. </cpdm:post>
  1840. <cpdm:post id="1fa47830-68a1-40e0-9ad6-a9e10f1b2088">
  1841. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[A simple push toward greater convenience]]></cpdm:title>
  1842. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[If you&rsquo;ve ever accidentally closed a door or panel with a traditional cam <a title="Southco Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latch</a> 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&hellip;<br /><br /><img title="Push to close latch" alt="Push to close latch" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 138px; height: 127px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9a0f89a7758e6cf87ee76a019c33c5dc/e5_push_to_close_latch.jpg" />Now, Southco has expanded its <a title="Southco E5 Cam Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/e5-cam-latches-7369.html">E5 Cam Latch</a> selection by adding intuitive <a title="Southco Push to Close Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/push-to-close-latches-7318.html">push-to close</a> 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. <br /><br />What&rsquo;s even better is that the new designs satisfy both single-point<img title="E5 Bus" alt="E5 Bus" align="right" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 125px; height: 88px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/d51713b797d3033ec12687f1b1e8c523/e5bus.jpg" /> 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. <br /><br /><img title="E5 Equipment" alt="E5 Equipment" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 117px; height: 100px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c59fb7197b05f285548f3ef80830a889/e5equipment.jpg" />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. <br /><br />To discuss how the flexibility of the new <a title="Southco Cam Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/cam-latches-7316.html">cam latch</a> can enhance your application, send us an <a target="_blank" href="http://info@southco.com">email</a> or post a comment.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1843. <cpdm:created>2011-05-24 18:50:12</cpdm:created>
  1844. <cpdm:published>2011-05-24 18:50:12</cpdm:published>
  1845. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1846. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1847. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/a-simple-push-toward-greater-convenience</cpdm:url>
  1848. </cpdm:post>
  1849. <cpdm:post id="cbc49202-c9ee-45ea-828a-1daeb55d30e1">
  1850. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Incorporate hinges early to save money and frustration]]></cpdm:title>
  1851. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 1 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em><br /><br /><img title="External Hinges" alt="External Hinges" align="right" width="130" height="150" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/27626974e469473720a0226285e7fbaa/combinedhinge_emailpr.jpg" />It is not uncommon to wait until the last minute to incorporate <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a> into a design.&nbsp; We know that not everyone has hinges at the top of their list of important things to think of when working on a new car, enclosure, or life-saving medical device.. However, considering hinges late in the design cycle can limit your&nbsp;options. You might have to compromise your design or force nonstandard parts into your product risking&nbsp;increased cost and reduced performance. <br /><br />Over the next 10 weeks, we will examine multiple factors to consider when specifying hinges. Keep these tips in mind, and you&rsquo;ll keep your options open (and your&nbsp;project costs&nbsp;down). <br /><br /><br />Let&rsquo;s start with one of the first considerations when it comes to hinges: <strong>strength. </strong><br /><br /><img title="Strength" alt="Strength" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 183px; height: 133px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/e68e1b286efeed618b38d689b9de4ed7/super_strength_300x199.jpg" />How much load will the hinges bear?&nbsp; And many times it&rsquo;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. <br /><br />Another tip to keep in mind: the as the ratio of door width to height increases, so too do the stresses. For maximum strength, place hinges as far apart as possible on the longest edge of the door. Or, depending on the design, use a closer hinge spacing to stiffen the door or ensure sealing against a gasket. <br /><br /><br />Next week: How strong a hinge is needed? I&rsquo;ll share four specific factors (and a handy formula) to help you out.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1852. <cpdm:created>2011-07-11 20:56:30</cpdm:created>
  1853. <cpdm:published>2011-07-12 12:00:00</cpdm:published>
  1854. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1855. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1856. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/incorporate-hinges-early-to-save-money-and-frustration</cpdm:url>
  1857. </cpdm:post>
  1858. <cpdm:post id="bf5e3146-68c7-407c-a5fd-fc8d2b17ff44">
  1859. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Design News Article on Designing for Recyclability]]></cpdm:title>
  1860. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<a target="_blank" href="http://www.designnews.com"><img title="Design News Logo" alt="Design News Logo" align="left" width="177" height="38" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/25946cf688eab7d7e30266c95ce9d502/design_news_logo.jpg" /></a>Doug Smock over at <em>Design News</em>&nbsp;wrote a <a title="Design News Article" target="_blank" href="http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=231213&amp;page_number=1">great article</a> on Designing for Reyclability this month.&nbsp; He highlighted the trend&nbsp;towards designing for dissasembly and&nbsp;the key role that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/quick-access-fasteners-7337.html">fasteners</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latches</a>&nbsp;can play in this effort. <br /><br />We here at Southco couldn't agree more! Head on over&nbsp;and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=231213&amp;page_number=1">check it out</a>.]]></cpdm:body>
  1861. <cpdm:created>2011-07-13 18:48:53</cpdm:created>
  1862. <cpdm:published>2011-07-13 19:12:07</cpdm:published>
  1863. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1864. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1865. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/design-news-article-on-designing-for-recyclability</cpdm:url>
  1866. </cpdm:post>
  1867. <cpdm:post id="e9eb4ad3-8798-4bed-9f5c-9713b9497279">
  1868. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[How strong of a hinge do you really need?]]></cpdm:title>
  1869. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 2 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges<br /><br /></em><img title="Stong Man" alt="Stong Man" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 137px; height: 178px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c16e45a1220f743c7b89284f912b6c14/strong.gif" />Last week we discussed how strength is often one of the first considerations when choosing a <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a>. But just how strong a hinge do you need? <br /><br />Here at Southco we use four factors that can help when getting started.<br /><br />1. <strong>Weight: </strong>Determine the weight of the door. If you can&rsquo;t physically weigh the door on a scale, a quick estimate can be calculated&nbsp;with the following formula: length x width x height x density. The heavier the door, the stronger the hinge you will need.<br /><br />2. <strong>Center of Gravity:</strong> 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&rsquo;t uniform. <br /><br />So here&rsquo;s a&nbsp;few simple steps&nbsp;for determining the Cg, regardless of door shape. <br /><br />(A) Hang the door from one corner so it pivots freely <img title="Hinges" alt="Hinges" align="right" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 178px; height: 103px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/a1a90ce3893d0e175084655dc3f57ce6/hinges.gif" /><br />(B) Attach a plumb line to the pivot so the line hangs freely <br />(C) Mark the line on the door<br />(D) Repeat twice more, hanging the door from a different corner each time<br /><br />The Cg is where all three lines intersect.<br /><br />3. <strong>External Loads: </strong>Consider the added weight of components that might be fastened to the door: electronics, cooling equipment, hooks, etc. And don&rsquo;t forget loads applied by wind, moving objects or forces generated by gasket compression or pressure within an enclosure.<br /><br />4. <strong>Test:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;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!<br /><br />Next week: Considering overall design and deciding between <a title="Concealed hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/concealed-hinges-8166.html">concealed</a> and <a title="External hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/external-hinges-8161.html">externally mounted hinges.</a><br /><br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1870. <cpdm:created>2011-07-19 19:51:06</cpdm:created>
  1871. <cpdm:published>2011-07-19 20:31:00</cpdm:published>
  1872. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1873. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1874. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/how-strong-of-a-hinge-do-you-really-need</cpdm:url>
  1875. </cpdm:post>
  1876. <cpdm:post id="d42bf3fc-4b2e-4a93-b176-a9a8a73ebe4f">
  1877. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Deciding between concealed and externally mounted hinges]]></cpdm:title>
  1878. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 3 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges<br /><br /></em><img title="Access Panel" alt="Access Panel" align="left" width="150" height="203" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/b961ee948b7bc3ec1f058f62b6732db5/accesspanel.jpg" />We&rsquo;ve discussed how important a consideration strength is when selecting a hinge. Now it&rsquo;s time to examine the design considerations that sometimes dictate whether we select a <a title="Concealed hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/concealed-hinges-8166.html">concealed</a> or <a title="External Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/external-hinges-8161.html">externally mounted</a> hinge.<br /><br />Concealed hinges mount on the interior part of the door and frame. They are great to use when you desire a clean outer panel (and you get the added benefit of vandal resistance). When using an internal hinge, just remember to consider the amount of internal protrusion since inside space may be limited. These hinges may also restrict access and make it hard to install and hide mounting hardware. Since they work with specific doors and frames, product and mounting options should be designed with them in mind. Used appropriately, internal hinges deliver a sleek, streamlined appearance.<img title="Stainless Steel Lift Off HInge" alt="Stainless Steel Lift Off HInge" align="right" width="118" height="139" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/ad5c1313eaaeb585418fe96f2518150c/stainless_steel_lift_off_hinge.jpg" /><br /><br />Exposed, external hinges deliver a different set of benefits: they work with limited interior space, offer greater strength and allow for a greater door-opening angle. Unlike concealed hinges, they are easy to fit to an application anytime in the design process&hellip;and they are more universal. They of course won&rsquo;t be hidden, so care should be taken to blend the hinge design with the application. <br /><br />Next week: Door and frame configuration and flexibility with opening angles]]></cpdm:body>
  1879. <cpdm:created>2011-07-26 19:53:03</cpdm:created>
  1880. <cpdm:published>2011-07-29 17:01:01</cpdm:published>
  1881. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1882. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1883. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/deciding-between-concealed-and-externally-mounted-hinges</cpdm:url>
  1884. </cpdm:post>
  1885. <cpdm:post id="58dae7ca-ab38-4d08-be6c-46f59081874e">
  1886. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Removable hinges and interior access]]></cpdm:title>
  1887. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><em><br />Part 5 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em></p><p><img title="Serviceman" alt="Serviceman" align="left" width="150" height="150" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9e6efd6df153582cf6bd7e9356197bcd/serviceman.jpg" />Sometimes a user or service technician requires full access to the interior of a cabinet or enclosure. If this is the case,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a title="lift off hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/96-removable-lift-off-hinges-7633.html">lift-off hinges</a> or <a title="retractable pin lift off hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/f6-retractable-door-removal-hinges-7625.html">hinges with retractable pins </a>can make it quick and easy to remove a door. You&rsquo;ll also find these hinges valuable if a product ships unassembled or if the door and frame are manufactured in different locations. <br /><br />Lift-off hinges let you remove the door in a single motion (without<img title="Lift Off Hinge" alt="Lift Off Hinge" align="right" width="119" height="125" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9a0adaaf9e54f20a7520a09dce97bc9c/lift_off_hinge_black.jpg" /> using tools). Just lift the door off the hinge pins mounted to the frame, and replace it by lowering it back over the hinge pins. Both your hands will remain free to maneuver the door. It might be a two-person job at most, but you&rsquo;ll be amazed at the ease and speed of removal these hinges allow.<br />&nbsp;<br />Hinges with retractable pins enable door removal without ever having to lift it. You retract the hinge pins and pull the door straight off. To replace it, you would just need to align the two halves of the hinge, <img title="Pin Lift Off Hinge" alt="Pin Lift Off Hinge" align="left" width="122" height="89" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9649e61ddd85fb2da8b5fe0c8c5caa6d/concealed_hinge.jpg" />extend the pins and lock the door back into place. Quick and very simple. While hinges with pins permanently attached won&rsquo;t let the hinges drop or get lost, retractable hinge pings might be a better choice if the hinge axis is not guaranteed to remain vertical and steady.</p><p>Next week: Working within industry specifications</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1888. <cpdm:created>2011-08-15 17:07:24</cpdm:created>
  1889. <cpdm:published>2011-08-18 18:26:00</cpdm:published>
  1890. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1891. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1892. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/removable-hinges-and-interior-access</cpdm:url>
  1893. </cpdm:post>
  1894. <cpdm:post id="911e02f3-5654-4cff-96dd-03883e9057f9">
  1895. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Considering the opening angle: Detent and torque hinges]]></cpdm:title>
  1896. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><em>Part 4 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em><br /><br /><img title="Door Stay" alt="Door Stay" align="left" width="135" height="137" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/781aa2717a2bd5c6990667222224ce29/wpajc5ko.jpg" />We have all been there: Trying to keep a&nbsp;door open with our foot, a shoe or something else we find lying around. Today&rsquo;s applications increasingly require hands&ndash;free access (or a really patient friend who will hold the door for you). If this is the case with your application, consider using a hinge with a built-in detent feature to hold the door&nbsp; or panel open at a preset angle. Or use an adjustable-torque feature, which will let you tighten or free up the door swing. Both of these hinge styles eliminate mechanical supports like gas struts or door stays.<br /><br /><a title="Detent Hinge" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/c6-g6-detent-hinges-7632.html">Detent</a> and&nbsp;<a title="Torque Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/positioning-hinges-8162.html">torque hinges</a>&nbsp;are two products in one&mdash;the hinge and the door<img title="Detent Hinge" alt="Detent Hinge" align="right" width="136" height="116" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/3c21cd34722d7bff7bfc4a6347937498/detent_hinge.jpg" /> stay. They bring with them some nice benefits, too. They reduce the number of parts, cut down on installation time and lower the overall cost.<br /><br />Most detent hinges come with preset opening angles; some even provide negative angles that let the hinge go slightly past center when closed. This also holds the door securely against the frame and <img title="Torque Hinge" alt="Torque Hinge" align="left" width="152" height="111" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/1e4498f4223484e129a92ca98bb7e001/friction_hinge.jpg" />reduces vibration (a viable option when you know you might have rattling!). In some cases, you won&rsquo;t even need a latch. Detent hinges are most appropriate for small lightweight applications. If this sounds like your application and you can benefit from some of these features, give it a try!<br />&nbsp;</p><p>Next week: Using removable hinges to access an interior</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1897. <cpdm:created>2011-08-15 20:10:49</cpdm:created>
  1898. <cpdm:published>2011-08-15 20:37:25</cpdm:published>
  1899. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1900. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1901. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/considering-the-opening-angle-detent-and-torque-hinges</cpdm:url>
  1902. </cpdm:post>
  1903. <cpdm:post id="bda1ce4d-56f3-4f74-a8ad-e10d5623640e">
  1904. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Hinges and industry specifications]]></cpdm:title>
  1905. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><em>Part 6 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em></p><p><img title="standards" alt="standards" align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; width: 156px; height: 108px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/af5c7672a786f03ba2278acd1ca842e6/standards.jpg" />Selecting the proper <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a> can sometimes be more challenging that we might expect. In addition to considering cost, aesthetics, strength requirements and door configurations, we need to also consider any regulations or specifications that might affect our applications.&nbsp; <br /><br />For example, hinges used on outdoor enclosures housing electronic equipment may be required to meet <a title="NEMA" target="_blank" href="http://www.nema.org/stds/">NEMA</a> and <a title="IP" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code">IP</a> standards. Is your application in the food equipment industry? <a title="NSF" target="_blank" href="http://www.nsf.org/">NSF</a> certification imposes stringent guidelines on materials and design.<br /><img title="southco hinges" alt="southco hinges" align="right" width="145" height="107" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/32cb6ab41cb3b1366eb499e959334d3a/hinge_assortment.jpg" /><br />Specs may require evaluation of an entire system, or hinges may be certified to meet a spec as-is. Either way, you want to select a hinge capable of meeting all product standards.<br /><br />A keen understanding of industry requirements will help you select the best hinge for your application (and will save you time and money in the process!).</p><p>Next week: Hinges and installation method</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1906. <cpdm:created>2011-08-29 20:51:11</cpdm:created>
  1907. <cpdm:published>2011-08-29 21:25:37</cpdm:published>
  1908. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1909. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1910. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/hinges-and-industry-specifications</cpdm:url>
  1911. </cpdm:post>
  1912. <cpdm:post id="bf11d727-490c-49fb-bbd1-9a84d7ef2030">
  1913. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Hinges and Installation Method]]></cpdm:title>
  1914. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0pt; background: white; mso-outline-level: 3">&nbsp;<em>Part 7 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em></p><p><img title="Installation" alt="Installation" align="left" width="187" height="140" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/efa399e4a5fecc86ae50e711f51d5454/tools.jpg" />The method of installation is an often overlooked consideration when selecting a <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a>. Manufacturing tolerances in the design and installation process can impact our hinge specifications, especially where aligning the hinges on the door and frame are concerned. Slotted holes may help compensate for manufacturing variations.</p><p>An important questions that we have to ask is: Where in the manufacturing process is the hinge installed? This may have a profound impact on hinge selection. It&rsquo;s helpful to determine whether the leaves will be assembled to the door and frame at the same time or in different locations and assembled later. Mounting methods run the gamut and include screws, studs, rivets, welds and adhesives.</p><p>Lastly, you want to determine clearance for any tools needed for installation (as well as the hardware itself).&nbsp; Most of us have found ourselves in this unfortunate situation at least once! So don&rsquo;t get stuck at the end. Figure this out early and save yourself time and aggravation.</p><p>Next week: Hinges and material requirements<br /></p><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1915. <cpdm:created>2011-09-13 17:16:31</cpdm:created>
  1916. <cpdm:published>2011-09-16 19:40:11</cpdm:published>
  1917. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1918. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1919. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/hinges-and-installation-method</cpdm:url>
  1920. </cpdm:post>
  1921. <cpdm:post id="0ca256c7-6717-44a1-ae9c-a6713dee9499">
  1922. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Hinges and Material Requirements]]></cpdm:title>
  1923. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 8 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em><br /><br /><img title="Sheet_metal" alt="Sheet_metal" align="left" width="175" height="133" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/46c0bbdc91d3f595f8e1ffe3e9a7cbc2/sheet_metal.jpg" />There are many factors to consider when selecting a <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinge</a>. We have discussed opening angle, frame configuration, industry specs and installation method, among others. But a critical consideration not to be overlooked may seem like the simplest: material. <br /><br />When deciding between material options, be sure to consider not only the end us<a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/st-constant-torque-position-control-hinges-7561.html"><img title="zinc torque hinge" alt="zinc torque hinge" align="right" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px 2px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/0edb33b1495f7eedf2c21f7d02668ca5/zinc_torque_hinge.jpg" /></a>e but also<a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/n6-surface-mount-hinges-7627.html"><img title="stainless steel hinge" alt="stainless steel hinge" align="right" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px 2px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/941f5bf9f2e7ed27119adf065f563a34/stainless_steel_hinge.jpg" /></a> environmental conditions. Factors from temperature range and chemical exposure to UV radiation and moisture conditions can (and should) influence our choices. As you well know, hinges comes in a variety of materials such as steel, stainless steel, die-cast zinc and engineering plastics. Each of these materials brings with it certain great benefits.<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/e6-adjustable-torque-position-control-hinges-7478.html"><img title="Plastic Hinge" alt="Plastic Hinge" align="left" width="65" height="50" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 8px 2px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/f3b57294338e62c0f749179826d0ee39/plastic_friction_hinge.jpg" /></a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/96-removable-lift-off-hinges-7633.html"><img title="stainless steel lift off hinge" alt="stainless steel lift off hinge" align="left" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 6px 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/330aa3073bd5cf88b5e29c3bd0283f1c/stainless_steel_lift_off_hinge.jpg" /></a><br />Steel and stainless steel hinges withstand temperature variations, and engineering plastics and stainless steel offer corrosion resistance. Need reduced noise and vibration? Consider a plastic hinge. Whatever your need or application, there is a hinge material perfectly suited to it. Need help finding one? Contact Southco or share your thoughts on this discussion.<br /><br />Next week: Hinges and aesthetics]]></cpdm:body>
  1924. <cpdm:created>2011-09-21 19:44:39</cpdm:created>
  1925. <cpdm:published>2011-09-21 20:18:00</cpdm:published>
  1926. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1927. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1928. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/hinges-and-material-requirements</cpdm:url>
  1929. </cpdm:post>
  1930. <cpdm:post id="5ab35d87-64a1-48e1-93c6-22496af376b4">
  1931. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[World's Greatest..!]]></cpdm:title>
  1932. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Today Southco will be featured in a segment of the 150th episode of the cable program &quot;World's Greatest...!&quot; on the ION Network.</em> <br /><br />That sounds impressive to me but what does it mean?]]></cpdm:body>
  1933. <cpdm:created>2011-09-26 14:28:28</cpdm:created>
  1934. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  1935. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1936. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  1937. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/worlds-greatest</cpdm:url>
  1938. </cpdm:post>
  1939. <cpdm:post id="a159f5c0-f087-4167-9d38-389fb5078670">
  1940. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Hinges and aesthetics]]></cpdm:title>
  1941. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 9 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges</em><br /><br /><img title="Design guy" alt="Design guy" align="left" width="125" height="125" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 0px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/059c56d707d215bf08ec707499e36374/graphic_design_guy.jpg" />Okay, so you&rsquo;re looking to optimize the overall quality and cost effectiveness of your application. When it comes to hinges, it is important to balance performance needs with aesthetic judgment. Looks DO matter and can greatly influence a product&rsquo;s overall look and perception of quality.<br /><br />Large, <a title="External hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/external-hinges-8161.html">external hinges</a> give an impression of great strength while<img title="Detent hinge" alt="Detent hinge" align="right" width="75" height="64" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/3c21cd34722d7bff7bfc4a6347937498/detent_hinge.jpg" /><img title="Friction hinge" alt="Friction hinge" align="right" width="75" height="55" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/1e4498f4223484e129a92ca98bb7e001/friction_hinge.jpg" /> <a title="concealed hinge" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/concealed-hinges-8166.html">concealed hinges</a> can&nbsp;increase security&nbsp;or create a streamlined look. To further enhance an application&rsquo;s design, we often have the option of customizing plastic and powder-coated hinges to suit specific color specifications. Some hinges even include snap-on covers to conceal mounting hardware and create and more polished appearance. Even the mounting hardware can be concealed by installing the hinge from the back side of the door.<br /><br /><img title="Stainless Steel Hinge" alt="Stainless Steel Hinge" align="left" width="100" height="73" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9649e61ddd85fb2da8b5fe0c8c5caa6d/concealed_hinge.jpg" /><img title="Polished hinge" alt="Polished hinge" align="left" width="65" height="65" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/941f5bf9f2e7ed27119adf065f563a34/stainless_steel_hinge.jpg" />Whether you want polished and sleek or sturdy and strong, there is a hinge that will convey the appearance you seek and contribute to the overall aesthetic of your application.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next week: Ten questions to ask when designing a hinge]]></cpdm:body>
  1942. <cpdm:created>2011-09-29 20:51:46</cpdm:created>
  1943. <cpdm:published>2011-09-29 21:14:35</cpdm:published>
  1944. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1945. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1946. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/hinges-and-aesthetics</cpdm:url>
  1947. </cpdm:post>
  1948. <cpdm:post id="d92eeee2-0746-4686-9219-a2bdf850a8f1">
  1949. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Ten questions to ask when designing in a hinge ]]></cpdm:title>
  1950. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<em>Part 10 in a 10-part series on specifying hinges<br /><br /></em><img title="checklist" alt="checklist" align="left" width="168" height="126" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px 0px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/750284ab53d416c0f663bf4e785669bc/checklist.jpg" />We spent the last several weeks discussing different factors for specifying <a title="Southco Hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a>. After all, incorporating hinges early into designs helps keep costs down and options open. So here, for your reference, is a quick summary of questions to ask in the early stages of your application. They will save you time, money and maybe even a bit of frustration! <ol><li><strong>How much load must the hinge withstand?</strong> Determine the size, weight, and center of gravity of the door.</li><li><strong>How do hinges fit in the overall design? </strong>Designing the hinge in early may allow use of an available hinge.</li><li><strong>How much space can you afford inside or outside the enclosure?</strong> This may help you decide between concealed and externally mounted hinges.</li><li><strong>How do you plan to mount or access the door?</strong> Door and frame configurations play a critical role!</li><li><strong>How far must the door open?</strong> Detent and friction hinges will keep a door open without secondary mechanical supports.</li><li><strong>Is removing the door a requirement?</strong> Lift-off hinges enable fast door removal.</li><li><strong>What specifications must the hinge and enclosure meet?</strong> Many hinges are certified to meet various industry standard specifications.</li><li><strong>How will the hinge be installed?</strong> Consider the manufacturing and installation process carefully.</li><li><strong>Do you need to meet specific material requirements?</strong> Think about environmental conditions the end product may face.</li><li>&nbsp;<strong>How large a role do aesthetics play in the design?</strong> Balance performance needs with style and appearance.</li></ol>To learn more about any of these topics, please see the past weeks&rsquo; blog entries, which discuss each of these questions in greater detail. Or contact us personally. We'd love your feedback and questions.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1951. <cpdm:created>2011-10-13 19:25:47</cpdm:created>
  1952. <cpdm:published>2011-10-13 19:39:32</cpdm:published>
  1953. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1954. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1955. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/ten-questions-to-ask-when-designing-in-a-hinge</cpdm:url>
  1956. </cpdm:post>
  1957. <cpdm:post id="3b78601d-7bd3-40ca-81e9-d05364b7dd0a">
  1958. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Two new actuators, one great list of benefits]]></cpdm:title>
  1959. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img title="On site" alt="On site" align="left" width="200" height="133" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7d736782050f09d2c30a6f30c021a32e/onthesite.jpg" />If you&rsquo;ve ever taken a good look at off-highway equipment that has been left outdoors and exposed to the elements, then you know the damage that is visible from rain, heat and cold.&nbsp; Well, Southco&rsquo;s <a title="New Southco Actuators" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-actuators-7623.html">new line of actuators </a>are here, and they are as tough as the elements and are designed for entry door applications. The AC-30 and AC-40 are constructed of corrosion resistant materials and can be used in a wide range of outdoor temperatures. <br /><br />Both actuators work with <a title="Southco Rotary Latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html">Southco R4 rotary latches</a> directl<a title="Southco Actuators" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-actuators-7623.html"><img title="Southco Actuator" alt="Southco Actuator" align="right" width="146" height="146" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/58a990bbcb6ca989045bb3ee2281b86d/ac_40_elm_3_mdt.jpg" /></a>y or can be used with cables and rods for a complete rotary latch system. Your equipment will be secure on the job site or roadside&nbsp;due to the key-locking feature with multiple key codes.<br /><br />The AC-30&rsquo;s single hole installation enables effective mounting in restricted spaces, and the AC-40 features a large grip handle and single-motion open feature. With the addition of these new actuators, Southco has an even great line of solutions for your most challenging applications. Tell us about it. Or leave a comment. We love to hear from you.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1960. <cpdm:created>2011-10-20 15:54:42</cpdm:created>
  1961. <cpdm:published>2011-10-21 13:19:53</cpdm:published>
  1962. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1963. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1964. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/two-new-actuators-one-great-list-of-benefits</cpdm:url>
  1965. <cpdm:comments>
  1966. <cpdm:comment id="d9eea019-fa15-4636-98db-8e6c4fbd3e05">
  1967. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Actuators]]></cpdm:name>
  1968. <cpdm:email>kentintrol@gmail.com</cpdm:email>
  1969. <cpdm:submitted>2011-12-14 03:15:45</cpdm:submitted>
  1970. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  1971. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Yorkshire-based valves manufacturer KOSO Kent Introl (KKI) has signed a five-year agency agreement with Brazilian firm, RTS Valvulas, which will open up new distribution channels for KKI’s specialist Actuators valve products and help the company increase its presence in Brazil. Mark Harris, KKI’s area business manager, will manage the contract and work closely with RTS Valvulas to develop new business opportunities in Brazil, primarily in the upstream and oil and gas sector.]]></cpdm:body>
  1972. </cpdm:comment>
  1973. </cpdm:comments>
  1974. </cpdm:post>
  1975. <cpdm:post id="940b3f4c-cb9d-46eb-845e-36597823732d">
  1976. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Innovative Southco Marine Hardware Solutions]]></cpdm:title>
  1977. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p><img title="METS Logo" alt="METS Logo" align="left" width="100" height="70" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px 6px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/a31d673ede37a3ca2ac9ae9e29c9a202/mets11logo_250.gif" /><br />The Southco Marine team is happy to invite you to our booth at this year&rsquo;s METS exhibition between 15-17th of November.</p><p>Come and see our Innovative Marine Hardware Products and our extended product offering, and explore how our team can help you with solutions for entry, cabin, and deck applications.</p><p>The show will be hosted at the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre in The Netherlands. For registration details and accommodations visit <a href="http://www.metstrade.com">www.metstrade.com</a>.</p><p>We look forward to seeing you!<br /><br />Welcome!<br /><br />You will find us at Hall: 3 Booth: 414</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  1978. <cpdm:created>2011-11-01 14:16:07</cpdm:created>
  1979. <cpdm:published>2011-11-01 14:21:49</cpdm:published>
  1980. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1981. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1982. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/innovative-southco-marine-hardware-solutions</cpdm:url>
  1983. </cpdm:post>
  1984. <cpdm:post id="159aceb4-a8ef-414a-b17e-855f333b08e6">
  1985. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Reliable latch technology in a lightweight package]]></cpdm:title>
  1986. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<a title="Southco Electronic Rotary Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-light-duty-electronic-rotary-latch-7655.html"><img title="Electronic rotary action latch light duty" alt="Electronic rotary action latch light duty" align="left" width="140" height="120" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/5d0e9d10a0a83317a58bc8ca4a1303e8/r4_emld.jpg" /></a>It seems like everyone is dieting these days&hellip;even our products. The new <a title="Southco Electronic Rotary Latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-light-duty-electronic-rotary-latch-7655.html">R4-EM Light Duty Electronic Rotary Latch</a> brings the same proven reliability of the standard steel version but has lost a bit of weight&mdash;65% to be exact, thanks to its engineered composite plastic construction. But don&rsquo;t be misled by the compact package; this latch is big in performance.<br /><br />A microprocessor control brings energy efficiency, and an integrated mechanical override is included for use should a power failure occur. <br /><br />Need to know the latch status? The optional microswitch will let you know when the door is locked or unlocked. And if you want to monitor and control complete systems remotely, it&rsquo;s all possible with this latch. <img title="Southco Indutry Solutions" alt="Southco Indutry Solutions" align="right" width="200" height="61" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; margin: 4px; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/0b31a9827a2cd585614181a023866279/r4_images.jpg" /><br /><br />The R4-EM is simple to use, simple to install and is concealed for hidden access. Add a 12-24 volt DC power supply (and any access control device), and you have a complete electronic access solution. <br /><br />Visit our website for more information on the entire line of Rotary Latches or any of our other <a title="southco latches" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html">latches</a>, <a title="southco hinges" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">hinges</a> or <a title="electronic access solutions" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html">electronic access solutions</a>.<br />&nbsp;<br />What do you think of the new R4-EM? <a title="customer service" target="_blank" href="http://info@southco.com">Drop us a line</a>.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1987. <cpdm:created>2011-11-18 15:07:22</cpdm:created>
  1988. <cpdm:published>2011-11-18 17:19:15</cpdm:published>
  1989. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1990. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  1991. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/reliable-latch-technology-in-a-lightweight-package</cpdm:url>
  1992. </cpdm:post>
  1993. <cpdm:post id="49df7322-bf8a-403c-b985-18c5c16089be">
  1994. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Multi-Point Latching Goes to Great Lengths for Enclosure Cabinet Security]]></cpdm:title>
  1995. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<img align="left" width="200" height="91" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/8bee6249f5f013cee3492148f5433fc9/datacenter.jpg" alt="Datacenter Design" title="Datacenter Design" style="margin: 4px;" />Data center engineers dedicate sizeable amounts of time to designing enclosures, which includes specifying cabinet storage that will ultimately house the complete system.&nbsp; Factors such as size, materials, rack dimensions, security,&nbsp; heating and cooling options and the costs associated are all considered by engineers throughout the design, but when it comes to accessibility, it sometimes isn&rsquo;t approached until the very end of the design process. <br /><br />We recently had an engineering firm come to us late in the design process with a need to incorporate a multi-point locking system into a tall, upright enclosure door design. The cabinet required a latch that would securely lock its entire length with only one turn. The firm also requested that the system take up minimal space in the overall cabinet design. <br /><br />Southco engineers suggested one, three-point <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-swinghandle-multi-point-system-7554.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Swinghandle">H3 Swinghandle Multi-point System</a> to secure<img align="right" width="131" height="209" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/a18f6e94222304976c510f72fae37e1d/h3_nylon.jpg" alt="H3 Swinghandle" title="H3 Swinghandle" style="margin: 3px 0pt;" /> the enclosure door. When installed, the Swinghandle, which nests into its housing with minimal protrusion, sits on the outside of the cabinet door, and pops up to swing smoothly for easy latch actuation. The cam mechanism sits on the inside of the enclosure door, and a series of rods that run up the entire length of the door are activated by a linear actuator, releasing the latch when the Swinghandle is rotated.<br /><br />Southco&rsquo;s H3 is available with multiple offset cams, multi-point latching, and numerous locking and non-locking options that simplify cost-effective configuration. Available in lightweight, robust nylon or heavy-duty die-cast, the H3 is suitable for indoor enclosure cabinet applications across industries.<br /><br />What types of challenges have you experienced in your enclosure design? Or do you have an application question about <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Latches">latches</a>, <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank" title="Southco hinges">hinges</a> or <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/captive-screws-7340.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Captive Fasteners">captive fasteners</a>? Tell us in the comments.<br /><br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  1996. <cpdm:created>2012-02-02 18:22:38</cpdm:created>
  1997. <cpdm:published>2012-02-02 18:54:34</cpdm:published>
  1998. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  1999. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2000. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/multi-point-latching-goes-to-great-lengths-for-enclosure-cabinet-security</cpdm:url>
  2001. </cpdm:post>
  2002. <cpdm:post id="5983ec01-deb0-42d1-9a4a-dd5964208f78">
  2003. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[“Hooked” on Interior Railway Design Upgrades]]></cpdm:title>
  2004. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<strong>&ldquo;If the cost of gas goes any higher, I&rsquo;m taking the train.&rdquo; </strong>Sound familiar? It&rsquo;s no secret that the ever-rising cost of gas is forcing many commuters to abandon their normal car ride to work and opt for public transportation instead.&nbsp; In answer, many railway <img align="left" width="175" height="138" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/70dde19940eae65743116871308e13aa/man_train_bike.jpg" alt="Taking the train" title="Taking the train" style="margin: 4px;" />companies are taking increased ridership by the horns, and making design upgrades to their heavily used railcars. <br /><br />We recently had a conversation with an engineer who was tasked with redesigning the interior of a local transit company&rsquo;s&nbsp; existing railcar. The transit company had requested the engineer to incorporate suggestions obtained through a commuter survey into the design, including improvements to hinges, locking mechanisms embedded in seating.&nbsp; Of the commuters who provided feedback, a significant number were concerned about having a place to hang their coats, bags and personal belongings during overcrowded peak hours. <br /><br />Specifically, the engineer was seeking a safe way in which to incorporate coat hooks. In the traditional rail car design, a multi-pronged coat hook protruded from the center of the outer seat panel into the walkway, and often into people forced to stand during peak commuting hours. The challenge was replacing this outdated and potentially dangerous design with something that was both safe and functional.<br /><a href="http://www.southco.com/products/mp-coat-hook/mp-07-212-41.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" width="125" height="125" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/95fbbf1c10f856f681f3bfa24b807cba/mp_07_212_41_mdt.jpg" alt="Southco Coat hook" title="Southco Coat hook" style="margin: 3px;" /></a><br />Our experts suggested <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/mp-coat-hook-7649.html" target="_blank" title="Southco Coat Hook">Southco&rsquo;s MP Coat Hook</a>, which remains flush when not in use, and deploys an inner latch, releasing pop-out hook with just the push of a button. It&rsquo;s ability to remain flush when unused frees up more space, allowing for multiple installations should the design require it. The MP is available with several flange shapes with multiple chrome- or brass-plated finishes to match the stylish new interiors of many mass transportation vehicles &ndash; including not only railcars, but buses and airplanes as well.<br /><br />How will the growth of commuting impact mass transit interior design? Or have an application for a <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/compression-latches-7317.html" target="_blank" title="southco compression latch">compression latch </a>or <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html" target="_blank" title="position control">position contol hinge</a> you would like to discuss?&nbsp; Tell us in the comments.<br /><br />]]></cpdm:body>
  2005. <cpdm:created>2012-02-06 21:25:17</cpdm:created>
  2006. <cpdm:published>2012-02-14 18:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2007. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2008. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2009. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/hooked-on-interior-railway-design-upgrades</cpdm:url>
  2010. </cpdm:post>
  2011. <cpdm:post id="bcd56f8f-ebbb-408c-8001-b0f9f9216268">
  2012. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Slide Latching Adds Security and Style to Transom Doors]]></cpdm:title>
  2013. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2014. It&rsquo;s no secret that yacht design is all about the details. These large luxury vessels are built to complement the luxe tastes of their buyers, with elegant, streamlined designs and top of the line features. However, yacht manufacturers are often tasked with ensuring that a yacht&rsquo;s components not only look good, but withstand quality performance requirements as well.</p>
  2015. <p>
  2016. A yacht manufacturer recently came to us about upgrading the latching <a href="http://southco.com/product/classlist.aspx?hid=7315" target="_blank">hardware</a> on a transom door that it was installing in a new line of trawler yachts. The manufacturer was not satisfied with the quality of the hardware that came standard with the door, so its engineers were looking for a more dependable, secure latching solution to replace it with.</p>
  2017. <p>
  2018. The manufacturer, however, did not wish to sacrifice the overall aesthetic of the yacht for the sake of functionality, so it specified that any hardware installed must be attractive and complement the yacht&rsquo;s overall design, as well as all other hardware used throughout.</p>
  2019. <p>
  2020. We suggested Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/tm-swim-door-latch-7618.html">TM Swim Door Latches</a>, which provide heavy-duty, marine-grade construction suitable for a variety of door thicknesses. The Swim Door Latch features an intuitive operation with push button and turn handle actuation as well as an internal o-ring design that dampens the closing action, providing a smooth end user feel.</p>
  2021. <p>
  2022. Stylish and easy to operate, the Swim Door Latch provides flexibility and functionality for many marine applications, including transom and fly bridge doors, as well as other types of swing doors. Available in 316 stainless steel, these durable latches are resistant to salt spray and the elements.</p>
  2023. <p>
  2024. What challenges have you faced in balancing quality and aesthetics in your yacht design?&nbsp; Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2025. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2026. <cpdm:created>2012-02-28 18:47:25</cpdm:created>
  2027. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2028. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2029. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  2030. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/slide-latching-adds-security-and-style</cpdm:url>
  2031. </cpdm:post>
  2032. <cpdm:post id="abac61a5-e1bd-4f92-baf6-c5f64def8a24">
  2033. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Slide Latching Adds Security and Style to Transom Doors]]></cpdm:title>
  2034. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2035. <img alt="Yaught" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7a47d7a73e06db4d7aa452e8be188429/yacht04.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 4px; width: 160px; height: 103px;" />It&rsquo;s no secret that yacht design is all about the details. These large luxury vessels are built to complement the luxe tastes of their buyers, with elegant, streamlined designs and top of the line features. However, yacht manufacturers are often tasked with ensuring that a yacht&rsquo;s components not only look good, but withstand quality performance requirements as well.</p>
  2036. <p>
  2037. A yacht manufacturer recently came to us about upgrading the latching <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/classlist.aspx?hid=7315">hardware</a> on a transom door that it was installing in a new line of trawler yachts. The manufacturer was not satisfied with the quality of the hardware that came standard with the door, so its engineers were looking for a more dependable, secure latching solution to replace it with.</p>
  2038. <p>
  2039. The manufacturer, however, did not wish to sacrifice the overall aesthetic of the yacht for the sake of functionality, so it specified that any hardware installed must be attractive and complement the yacht&rsquo;s overall design, as well as all other hardware used throughout.<img alt="Southco Swim Latch" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/1a2c9d0738571b0fe381eaca5c27a4fe/tm_10_101_24_mdt.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 100px; margin: 2px 4px; float: right;" /></p>
  2040. <p>
  2041. We suggested Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/tm-swim-door-latch-7618.html">TM Swim Door Latches</a>, which provide heavy-duty, marine-grade construction suitable for a variety of door thicknesses. The Swim Door Latch features an intuitive operation with push button and turn handle actuation as well as an internal o-ring design that dampens the closing action, providing a smooth end user feel.</p>
  2042. <p>
  2043. Stylish and easy to operate, the Swim Door Latch provides flexibility and functionality for many marine applications, including transom and fly bridge doors, as well as other types of swing doors. Available in 316 stainless steel, these durable latches are resistant to salt spray and the elements.</p>
  2044. <p>
  2045. What challenges have you faced in balancing quality and aesthetics in your yacht design?&nbsp; Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2046. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2047. <cpdm:created>2012-02-28 19:17:28</cpdm:created>
  2048. <cpdm:published>2012-02-28 20:00:20</cpdm:published>
  2049. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2050. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2051. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/it-s-no-secret-that-yacht</cpdm:url>
  2052. </cpdm:post>
  2053. <cpdm:post id="1e1250a0-1d7d-40d9-8272-c77e1a03af1e">
  2054. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[ One of our key account managers]]></cpdm:title>
  2055. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2056. One of our key account managers recently returned from a visit with a client that needed to solve a design application for its fleet of excavation vehicles. The client wanted to outfit the vehicles with a more secure latching solution for an existing exterior storage box on the outside of the excavator cab, which holds expensive tools on the jobsite. With the intention of preventing tools from going missing and lowering the risk of theft,&nbsp; the client came to us with very specific requirements for the application d<em>e</em>sign and its operation.</p>
  2057. <p>
  2058. The main challenge of the design requirement presented itself in the access. The client specified that the box could only be opened from the inside of the excavation vehicle, meaning that the only way an individual on the outside of the vehicle could access the box would be if it was triggered from within. To further deter theft, the box would have no visible exterior latching mechanism.</p>
  2059. <p>
  2060. Because the interior operator would be using both hands frequently to control the machine, the control of the latching device had to be able to be triggered with simple manipulation. In addition, the client requested that the interior latching system be flush with the existing control panel, so as not to obstruct the operator, and be constructed in a durable material to withstand the impact of the construction-related wear.</p>
  2061. <p>
  2062. The solution? Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-actuators-7623.html">AC-75 Single Point Paddle Actuator</a>, which features a paddle-style construction with a deep recess for an easy grip or fingerpull operation. The AC-75 is constructed of powder coated aluminum for durability and usability in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.</p>
  2063. <p>
  2064. Additionally, the AC-75 enables front mount installation with three cable mounting options and is compatible with Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html">R4 Series Rotary Latches</a>. This complete system allows the engineer to install the AC-75 inside the excavator cab and install the R4 outside, in the box, with both connected by the cable. When the operator triggers the AC-75, it releases the rotary latch in the exterior toolbox, granting access.</p>
  2065. <p>
  2066. Is designing for security a factor in your off-highway applications?&nbsp; Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2067. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2068. <cpdm:created>2012-02-28 21:50:13</cpdm:created>
  2069. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2070. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2071. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  2072. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/one-of-our-key-account-managers</cpdm:url>
  2073. </cpdm:post>
  2074. <cpdm:post id="72153230-0d73-4ea6-a7df-1c057263b990">
  2075. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Security Concerns get “the Paddle”]]></cpdm:title>
  2076. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2077. &nbsp;</p>
  2078. <div>
  2079. One of our key account managers recently returned from a visit with a client that needed to solve a design application for its fleet of excavation vehicles. The client wanted to outfit the vehicles with a more secure latching solution for an existing exterior storage box on the outside of the excavator cab, which holds expensive tools on the jobsite. With the intention of preventing tools from going missing and lowering the risk of theft, &nbsp;the client came to us with very specific requirements for the application design and its operation.&nbsp;</div>
  2080. <div>
  2081. &nbsp;</div>
  2082. <div>
  2083. The main challenge of the design requirement presented itself in the access. The client specified that the box could only be opened from the inside of the excavation vehicle, meaning that the only way an individual on the outside of the vehicle could access the box would be if it was triggered from within. To further deter theft, the box would have no visible exterior latching mechanism.&nbsp;</div>
  2084. <div>
  2085. &nbsp;</div>
  2086. <div>
  2087. Because the interior operator would be using both hands frequently to control the machine, the control of the latching device had to be able to be triggered with simple manipulation. In addition, the client requested that the interior latching system be flush with the existing control panel, so as not to obstruct the operator, and be constructed in a durable material to withstand the impact of the construction-related wear.</div>
  2088. <div>
  2089. &nbsp;</div>
  2090. <div>
  2091. The solution? Southco&rsquo;s AC-75 Single Point Paddle Actuator, which features a paddle-style construction with a deep recess for an easy grip or fingerpull operation. The AC-75 is constructed of powder coated aluminum for durability and usability in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.&nbsp;</div>
  2092. <div>
  2093. &nbsp;</div>
  2094. <div>
  2095. Additionally, the AC-75 enables front mount installation with three cable mounting options and is compatible with Southco&rsquo;s R4 Series Rotary Latches. This complete system allows the engineer to install the AC-75 inside the excavator cab and install the R4 outside, in the box, with both connected by the cable. When the operator triggers the AC-75, it releases the rotary latch in the exterior toolbox, granting access.</div>
  2096. <div>
  2097. &nbsp;</div>
  2098. <div>
  2099. Is designing for security a factor in your off-highway applications? &nbsp;Tell us in the comments.</div>
  2100. <div>
  2101. &nbsp;</div>
  2102. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2103. <cpdm:created>2012-03-01 21:19:58</cpdm:created>
  2104. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2105. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2106. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  2107. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/security-concerns-get-the-paddle</cpdm:url>
  2108. </cpdm:post>
  2109. <cpdm:post id="8a724b06-b4c2-4e98-bfb6-3fd13486324b">
  2110. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Push-to-Close Latching; The Secret of Simple Operation]]></cpdm:title>
  2111. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2112. &nbsp;</p>
  2113. <div>
  2114. <img alt="Push" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/d13cc781cdef35cf799c7c286eb0d836/man_push_md.png" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 146px; " />When it comes to convenience, it&rsquo;s easy to take even the simplest of operations for granted. This week we take a closer look at a simple operation that often goes unnoticed: push-to-close latching.</div>
  2115. <div>
  2116. &nbsp;</div>
  2117. <div>
  2118. Push-to-close latching technology is in everything from car doors and glove boxes to storage cabinets and office furniture. Its simple functionality allows us to securely close a panel and not have to worry about having to manually re-latch it.&nbsp;</div>
  2119. <div>
  2120. <img alt="Southco e5" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/9a0f89a7758e6cf87ee76a019c33c5dc/e5_push_to_close_latch.jpg" style="float: right; width: 150px; height: 150px; " /></div>
  2121. <div>
  2122. &nbsp;</div>
  2123. <div>
  2124. In a push-to-close application, the cam rotates freely from the &quot;closed&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
  2125. <div>
  2126. position as it contacts the frame or keeper, and an integral spring pushes the cam back into the engaged position once the cam clears the keeper. Southco&rsquo;s<a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7369" target="_blank"> E5 Push-to-Close Cam Latch</a> features push-to-close convenience by incorporating a spring-loaded ramped cam or actuator&nbsp;for single or multi-point operation.</div>
  2127. <div>
  2128. &nbsp;</div>
  2129. <div>
  2130. Basically it works like this: Think about how often you open and close a cabinet door. Adding our E5 to this application means that when you push the door towards its frame, a ramp-shaped cam rotates as it contacts the frame, the cam then springs back and moves behind the frame to achieve latching.</div>
  2131. <div>
  2132. &nbsp;</div>
  2133. <div>
  2134. <img alt="E5 Push to Close Operation" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/927140da6a31b538bd5ada98eb0b2ac7/e5operation.jpg" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 97px; " />As with conventional <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/fixed-grip-cam-latches-7322.html" target="_blank">cam latches</a>, the E5 latching mechanism rotates to disengage from the keeper, but once the panel is opened and the cam rotates back to the &quot;closed&quot; position, the ramp-shaped face of the retractable cam functions like a push-to-close mechanism, ensuring safe, trouble-free operation even if the door is shut with the cam in the closed position.</div>
  2135. <div>
  2136. &nbsp;</div>
  2137. <div>
  2138. The unsung value that <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/push-to-close-latches-7318.html" target="_blank">push-to-close</a> operation brings to your application design is paramount. Incorporating an action as simple as not having to manually re-lock a door every time it is closed can bring great value to end users in a wide array of industries.</div>
  2139. <div>
  2140. &nbsp;</div>
  2141. <div>
  2142. Is simplicity a priority in your application? &nbsp;Tell us in the comments.</div>
  2143. <div>
  2144. &nbsp;</div>
  2145. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2146. <cpdm:created>2012-03-02 14:00:57</cpdm:created>
  2147. <cpdm:published>2012-03-15 16:20:00</cpdm:published>
  2148. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2149. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2150. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/push-to-close-latching-the-secret-of-simple-operation</cpdm:url>
  2151. <cpdm:comments>
  2152. <cpdm:comment id="0d0a8691-bded-4148-b5e9-d220034df135">
  2153. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Bernie Perry]]></cpdm:name>
  2154. <cpdm:email>bperry@ptd.net</cpdm:email>
  2155. <cpdm:submitted>2012-07-09 17:54:17</cpdm:submitted>
  2156. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2157. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I have the push to close latches C3-810 both are broken and customer service refuses to replace them. They claim the mfg. may have used ,used latches. CUSTOMER SERVICE REALLY STINKS at this company. Buyer BEWARE]]></cpdm:body>
  2158. </cpdm:comment>
  2159. </cpdm:comments>
  2160. </cpdm:post>
  2161. <cpdm:post id="2bef24bd-8b61-40a1-b843-61be884f6b8d">
  2162. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Heavy-duty Latches Ensure Secure Storage on the Road]]></cpdm:title>
  2163. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2164. &nbsp;</p>
  2165. <div>
  2166. <img alt="Utility Van" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c505e3e711e925c7ff30f10d0bc4a1ea/hauler_racks_van_rack.jpg" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 109px; " />The utility van: mobile office for the construction industry. For contractors working out of their vans, storage plays a key role in their daily operations. If tools and materials are not securely stored, contractors could face damage to their van and tools, as well as potential &nbsp;injury caused by unsecured objects.&nbsp;</div>
  2167. <div>
  2168. &nbsp;</div>
  2169. <div>
  2170. A vehicle utility contractor for a large electricity company recently approached Southco engineers regarding a latching system to secure wall-mounted storage compartments and cabinets inside its fleet of utility service vans. The company had received reports from its employees that the existing hardware was sometimes unpredictable in its operation, resulting in tools popping out of boxes while the vehicle was in motion.</div>
  2171. <div>
  2172. &nbsp;</div>
  2173. <div>
  2174. The contractor was seeking a strong, durable <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/panel-door-latches-locks-7315.html" target="_blank">latch</a> that would stay closed when disturbed by bumps<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/1cba3e45ad86743e969136a9e6e9e9f2/r4_rotary_pushtoclosea_mdt.jpg" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; float: right; width: 150px; height: 100px; " /> and turns while the van was in motion, as well as exposure to changing weather conditions, since the rear door of the van would be frequently opened and closed by the technician when on the job.</div>
  2175. <div>
  2176. &nbsp;</div>
  2177. <div>
  2178. Our engineers recommended Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html" target="_blank">Stainless Steel R4-10 Rotary Latch</a>, which brings corrosion-resistant strength to a proven latching&nbsp;</div>
  2179. <p>
  2180. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/51e3178478ee5ed46147820a86674871/ac_70_101_11_mdt.jpg" style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px; margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left; width: 100px; height: 100px; " /></p>
  2181. <div>
  2182. solution that delivers long lasting durability and security to heavy-duty&nbsp;</div>
  2183. <div>
  2184. applications. For this application, our engineers recommended combining the R4-10 with Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7623" target="_blank">AC-70 Single Point Paddle Actuator</a> for a complete latching solution. When installed, the R4-10 is linked to the Actuator by a cable, which triggers the latch when the Actuator is engaged. Additionally, the AC-70&rsquo;s low-protrusion, front-mount design allows for easy operation by the end user, who need only actuate the paddle with the pull of a finger.</div>
  2185. <div>
  2186. &nbsp;</div>
  2187. <div>
  2188. With a simple <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/push-to-close-latches-7318.html" target="_blank">push-to-close</a> operation, the R4-10&rsquo;s concealed latch accommodates misalignment between the latch and striker bolt, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. In gasketed applications, a double stage latching option provides additional security and functionality, allowing the user to push the door once to keep it closed, and push it a second time to securely latch it, preventing a false latching condition which could result in the door opening accidentally.</div>
  2189. <div>
  2190. &nbsp;</div>
  2191. <div>
  2192. Are you facing a challenging application that calls for a more robust latching solution or want to know more about our rotary latches or hinges? Tell us in the comments.</div>
  2193. <div>
  2194. &nbsp;</div>
  2195. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2196. <cpdm:created>2012-03-02 14:39:26</cpdm:created>
  2197. <cpdm:published>2012-03-28 14:30:00</cpdm:published>
  2198. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2199. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2200. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/heavy-duty-latches-ensure-secure-storage-on-the-road</cpdm:url>
  2201. </cpdm:post>
  2202. <cpdm:post id="01e2118f-2727-4010-8cb2-9f1afb6b9837">
  2203. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Security Concerns get “the Paddle”]]></cpdm:title>
  2204. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2205. &nbsp;</p>
  2206. <div>
  2207. &nbsp;</div>
  2208. <div>
  2209. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/7a4d4c661f27e164b5658b95365669a6/excavator.gif" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 121px; " />One of our key account managers recently returned from a visit with a client that needed to solve a design application for its fleet of excavation vehicles. The client wanted to outfit the vehicles with a more secure latching solution for an existing exterior storage box on the outside of the excavator cab, which holds expensive tools on the jobsite. With the intention of preventing tools from going missing and lowering the risk of theft, &nbsp;the client came to us with very specific requirements for the application design and its operation.&nbsp;</div>
  2210. <div>
  2211. &nbsp;</div>
  2212. <div>
  2213. The main challenge of the application was presented not only in the client&rsquo;s preference for latch operation, but also who would have access to it. The client specified that the box could only be opened from the inside of the excavation vehicle, meaning that the only way an individual on the outside of the vehicle could access the box would be if it was triggered from within. To further deter theft, the box would have no visible exterior latching mechanism.&nbsp;</div>
  2214. <div>
  2215. &nbsp;</div>
  2216. <div>
  2217. Because the interior operator would be using both hands frequently to control the machine, the control of the latching device had to be able to be triggered with simple manipulation. In addition, the client requested that the interior latching system be flush with the existing control panel, so as not to obstruct the operator, and be constructed in a durable material to withstand the impact of the construction-related wear.</div>
  2218. <div>
  2219. <img alt="paddle actuator" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/947b3f7b-5628-4a6d-a1c9-8180f0c37044/Image/c1e2eab8a51a1069f19c7ac2fe85bc14/ac_75_101_11_mdt.jpg" style="float: right; width: 150px; height: 150px; " /></div>
  2220. <div>
  2221. &nbsp;</div>
  2222. <div>
  2223. The solution? Southco&rsquo;s AC-75 Single Point Paddle Actuator, which features a paddle-style construction with a deep recess for an easy grip or fingerpull operation. The AC-75 is constructed of powder coated aluminum for durability and usability in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.&nbsp;</div>
  2224. <div>
  2225. &nbsp;</div>
  2226. <div>
  2227. &nbsp;</div>
  2228. <div>
  2229. Additionally, the AC-75 enables front mount installation with three cable mounting options and is compatible with Southco&rsquo;s R4 Series Rotary Latches. This complete system allows the engineer to install the AC-75 inside the excavator cab and install the R4 outside, in the box, with both connected by the cable. When the operator triggers the AC-75, it releases the rotary latch in the exterior toolbox, granting access.</div>
  2230. <div>
  2231. &nbsp;</div>
  2232. <div>
  2233. Is designing for security a factor in your off-highway applications? &nbsp;Tell us in the comments.</div>
  2234. <div>
  2235. &nbsp;</div>
  2236. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2237. <cpdm:created>2012-03-02 20:21:56</cpdm:created>
  2238. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2239. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2240. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  2241. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-engineering/security-concerns-get-the-paddle-v1</cpdm:url>
  2242. </cpdm:post>
  2243. </cpdm:posts>
  2244. </cpdm:blog>
  2245. </cpdm:user>
  2246. <cpdm:user id="92db3646-b03c-4faa-b83c-6874e7e35178">
  2247. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Bill]]></cpdm:firstname>
  2248. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Pappas]]></cpdm:lastname>
  2249. <cpdm:email>bpappas@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  2250. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[INACTIVEBillPappas]]></cpdm:username>
  2251. <cpdm:enabled>false</cpdm:enabled>
  2252. <cpdm:blog id="4eecad5f-850d-4b64-901c-9f609afba8b3">
  2253. <cpdm:type>norm</cpdm:type>
  2254. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Positioning Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  2255. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Southco blog. Here we can discuss applications for hinges, monitor arms, and miscellaneous mounting solutions.]]></cpdm:description>
  2256. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications</cpdm:url>
  2257. <cpdm:posts>
  2258. <cpdm:post id="155f1f2b-349a-4fdb-968c-6abfe20bbcc5">
  2259. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[" I never knew Southco did this"]]></cpdm:title>
  2260. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<P>Hi there! My name is Bill Pappas, Business Development Manager for position control devices here at <A title="Friction hinges, monitor arms, and mounts" href="http://www.southco.com/" target=_blank>Southco</A>, a global provider of engineered access hardware solutions. I am here to offer up topics for discussion related to applications for position control devices. The applications could be related to medical touch screens, automotive DVD screens, lighting fixtures (they move too), consumer products such as webcams, and the list goes on. The solutions could include standard friction hinges, bistable mechanisms, tilt and swivel mounts or monitor arms. </P>
  2261. <P>Yup, we do this and more. Very often while presenting our products and capabilities to design firms and OEM’s among others, I hear “I never knew Southco did this”. Well, we do! What’s been your latest challenge arriving at a solution? Cable routing though a hinge? Resisting user force on a touch screen? Controlled speed of&nbsp; deployment of an object, such as a DVD screen or access door? Let’s talk about it.<br></P>]]></cpdm:body>
  2262. <cpdm:created>2008-11-24 21:05:39</cpdm:created>
  2263. <cpdm:published>2008-11-24 21:05:39</cpdm:published>
  2264. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  2265. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2266. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/-i-never-knew-southco-did-this</cpdm:url>
  2267. <cpdm:comments>
  2268. <cpdm:comment id="fe023f54-fa4c-4960-ab11-3187fdfcaa47">
  2269. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Pascal]]></cpdm:name>
  2270. <cpdm:email>ptesteil@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  2271. <cpdm:submitted>2008-11-28 03:45:53</cpdm:submitted>
  2272. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2273. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[..]]></cpdm:body>
  2274. </cpdm:comment>
  2275. </cpdm:comments>
  2276. </cpdm:post>
  2277. <cpdm:post id="65e58d83-a421-4f6f-858c-721977351f0f">
  2278. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[“Home made” solutions at Medica]]></cpdm:title>
  2279. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp; About two weeks ago, I attended <a title="Medica 2008" href="http://www.medica.de/cipp/md_medica/custom/pub/content,lang,2/oid,155/ticket,g_u_e_s_t/%7E/MEDICA_Home.html">Medica</a>,&nbsp; a global medical device exhibition, held in Düsseldorf, Germany where manufacturers of surgical gloves to state of the art ultrasound systems are displayed to the market. What amazed me were the amount of “home made” or “ in house” positioning solutions that were on so many products. While, I admit, some were pretty ingenious, these devices command positioning predictability and reliability. I didn’t experience or feel a lot of that. </p>
  2280.  
  2281. <p><br>The mechanical side of these devices require so much more attention be paid to the more vital components or processes such as heat transfer. fluid or gas flow…etc, why spend the time on a technology or potential standard product that is readily available? </p>
  2282.  
  2283. <p><br>The feel of a product, or touch point, can help a potential customer to differentiate your product from that of a competitor. The ergonomic movement of an Apple computer screen, or the ease with which one can pull forward the leafs of a Mercedes headrest, are just such examples. This is achieved with counterbalanced, and asymmetrically configured friction hinges.</p>
  2284.  
  2285. <p><br>Consider your <a title="Positioning Technology Video" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/cema/">Positioning Technology</a> options before trying to reinvent the wheel.</p>
  2286.  
  2287. <div class="O" v:shape="_x0000_s1026">
  2288.  
  2289. <div><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399;"><strong></strong></span>&nbsp;</div>
  2290.  
  2291. <div><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399;"><strong><br><img title="Tinkering" style="margin: 0px; width: 244px; height: 280px;" alt="Tinkering" src="http://www.genrecookshop.com/tinkertoys1d.jpg" _height="30" _width="28"><br></strong></span></div></div>]]></cpdm:body>
  2292. <cpdm:created>2008-12-02 14:35:58</cpdm:created>
  2293. <cpdm:published>2008-12-02 14:35:58</cpdm:published>
  2294. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2295. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2296. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/home-made-solutions-at-medica</cpdm:url>
  2297. <cpdm:comments>
  2298. <cpdm:comment id="cab54884-e23a-4981-a9d1-9943195103c6">
  2299. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Callum Whitelaw]]></cpdm:name>
  2300. <cpdm:email>cwhitelaw@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  2301. <cpdm:submitted>2009-10-30 15:20:34</cpdm:submitted>
  2302. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2303. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I have just seen the new Dynamic Mounting Arm video on U Tube. It looks great. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS3DmgRE0M8" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS3DmgRE0M8</a>
  2304.  
  2305. I cant wait to show it to my customers in the medical and industrial markets. It has a lot of added features that are not being covered by low end arms.]]></cpdm:body>
  2306. </cpdm:comment>
  2307. </cpdm:comments>
  2308. </cpdm:post>
  2309. <cpdm:post id="29a5c0ba-4087-4ab7-bc97-bb19f93eeaa1">
  2310. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[The Holidays and touch screens]]></cpdm:title>
  2311. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<P>&nbsp;The Holidays are finally over! At least that’s how I feel. <BR>&nbsp;<BR>While meandering around the various shops at malls, I can’t help, but observe the use of point of sale (POS) terminals with touch screens by the people manning the counters. They are tapping away at these things causing quite a bit of bounce, propping them up with a book, or literally holding the screen in place themselves.</P>
  2312. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;<IMG style="WIDTH: 207px; HEIGHT: 204px" height=248 src="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/wp-content/angry-female-cashier.png" width=249 _fcksavedurl="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/wp-content/angry-female-cashier.png"></P>
  2313. <P><BR>Hinge design for touch screen applications is a fine art. For the hinges, you need to take into account not only the weight of the screen and it's relation to the hinge axis, but, also resisting user force, ease and reliability of positioning, and sometimes the need for a proper stop or lock rather than a book. Features such as counterbalance, asymmetric torque and a well designed stop or lock feature can make all the difference in a product having a touch screen. And, they are popping up everywhere, on medical devices, home health/ security monitors, you name it, and they all require the same attention when it comes to the hinge device. <BR>&nbsp;<BR>Let’s hope the economy starts to improve soon, so these POS terminals really get put to the test. <BR></P>
  2314. <P>&nbsp;</P>
  2315. <DIV v:shape="_x0000_s1026"><A href="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/wp-content/angry-female-cashier.png" _fcksavedurl="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/wp-content/angry-female-cashier.png"></A>&nbsp;</DIV>
  2316. <P></P>]]></cpdm:body>
  2317. <cpdm:created>2009-01-08 20:39:58</cpdm:created>
  2318. <cpdm:published>2009-01-08 20:39:58</cpdm:published>
  2319. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2320. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2321. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/the-holidays-and-touch-screens</cpdm:url>
  2322. </cpdm:post>
  2323. <cpdm:post id="3c2a3940-da3e-44dd-9654-85745314ec43">
  2324. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Losing weight and conserving energy]]></cpdm:title>
  2325. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>Losing weight and conserving energy</p><p>I am in the process of trying to lose weight which is partly why my picture has not been added to my blog yet. It's not an easy process for some of us, you know watching your diet, exercising and getting enough sleep, but, sometimes it has to get done. If you workout in the morning like I try and do, you also need to conserve some energy for the rest of the day. As it turns out losing weight helps to be more energic and efficient.<br /><br /><img alt="It's Time to Go on a Diet" style="width: 240px; height: 190px" src="http://www.ahajokes.com/cartoon/scale.jpg" /></p><p>Where is he going with this you wonder? Well, this does apply to some of our hinging or positioning mechanism applications. Take for instance a portable ultrasound unit for <a href="http://www.medical.philips.com/us/products/ultrasound/systems/cx50/index.wpd">Philips Medical</a>. We recently launched a custom hinge product for them where the main structural components were die cast aluminum rather than zinc, obviously, &nbsp;to save weight for ease of carrying. We have also done this for a galley display for an aircraft application for Rosen Aviation. In this instance shedding weight to conserve fuel was the driver. I can go on and on, but, you got the idea.</p><p>Many things factor into the features of components&nbsp;for the final product. What have been your challenges? Is there an energy conservation product in development&nbsp;out there requiring <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/cema/">Positioing Technology</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  2326. <cpdm:created>2009-01-15 17:47:29</cpdm:created>
  2327. <cpdm:published>2009-01-15 17:47:29</cpdm:published>
  2328. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2329. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2330. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/losing-weigth-and-conserving-energy</cpdm:url>
  2331. <cpdm:comments>
  2332. <cpdm:comment id="fbc960fd-69d1-479c-8b6c-284ed8e68aef">
  2333. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[jenthecdnp]]></cpdm:name>
  2334. <cpdm:email>br.a.dlu.v.scn.d.p@gmail.com</cpdm:email>
  2335. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-15 14:44:15</cpdm:submitted>
  2336. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2337. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[buy penis advantage <br />
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  2342. </cpdm:comment>
  2343. <cpdm:comment id="607983b5-9fdc-4222-a6d5-95d5bb5c3bf7">
  2344. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[hp pavilion review]]></cpdm:name>
  2345. <cpdm:email>hppavilion@mail.ru</cpdm:email>
  2346. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-16 16:40:25</cpdm:submitted>
  2347. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2348. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Remarkable! This blog looks reasonable like my prehistoric identical! It's on a entirely unusual thesis but it has lovely much the same layout and design. Classic choice of colors!]]></cpdm:body>
  2349. </cpdm:comment>
  2350. <cpdm:comment id="6fb5feda-7972-497c-b693-33a9a1fbe427">
  2351. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[jofcndp]]></cpdm:name>
  2352. <cpdm:email>br.a.dluvs.c.n.d.p@gmail.com</cpdm:email>
  2353. <cpdm:submitted>2011-06-20 18:27:45</cpdm:submitted>
  2354. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2355. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[penis advantage <br />
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  2359. </cpdm:comments>
  2360. </cpdm:post>
  2361. <cpdm:post id="a4f09db7-a347-445e-8335-4124fa71104a">
  2362. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[No Adjustment Required, But, Available]]></cpdm:title>
  2363. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>More and more, we are seeing applications involving arms for positioning lights, monitors, keyboards, or some other device. Very often solutions being implemented include some use of a knob or other feature that allows for adjustment to meet the application needs. You might have experienced some of these that do not feel very good. That's been my take. You also may have encountered a situation where the feature was not tightened well enough, and the object to be positioned drops away.<br /><img height="150" alt="" width="200" src="http://www.pinholeblender.com/images/KnobMini120.jpg" /><br />The trend now seems to be towards more innovative designs incorporating a more predictable and reliable means of <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/cema/">Positioning Technology </a>. These solutions are designed for a particular need, with no required adjustment. That's what <a href="http://www.southco.com/">Southco</a> does every day for applications in medical, transportation, and consumer electronics industries to name a few.<br /><br />What you really need is a <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7350">friction device</a>, or friction plus counterbalance torque for each swivel and/or tilt axis that the application demands. In the end this provides the appropriate resistance against a user touch force, or lift assist through counterbalance to make the object feel lighter. In the end, the final product feels right.<br /><br />Let's say you are faced with having to design for a 15&quot; and 17&quot; monitor having different weights. Solutions can be engineered to provide the adjustment necessary with a simple turn of a screw, and it feels right.</p><p>Say the arm needs to be easily removable for remote mounting. You could also look into latching options too.&nbsp; Really, how do you want it to feel and how will it be used are two key things to think about. <br />&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  2364. <cpdm:created>2009-02-16 20:03:21</cpdm:created>
  2365. <cpdm:published>2009-02-16 20:03:21</cpdm:published>
  2366. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2367. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2368. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/no-adjustment-required-but-available</cpdm:url>
  2369. </cpdm:post>
  2370. <cpdm:post id="3a77c3c4-a490-463f-b47f-39d7bd919a32">
  2371. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco at HIMSS 2009 in Chicago]]></cpdm:title>
  2372. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Starting this Sunday, April 5th, and running through Wednesday, April 8th, Southco will be exhibiting at the <a title="HIMSS09" href="http://www.himssconference.org/">HIMSS09-Healthcare IT Conference and Exhibition</a> in Chicago. <a title="Southco" href="http://www.southco.com/">Standard products </a>will be on display as well as featuring new monitor arms and <a title="EAS" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">electronic access solutions</a>.</p><p>The new monitor arms will have embedded within, our patented friction technology allowing for reliable, precise and predictable positioning of medical moitors and other devices. Another arm feature is the means by which cable can be conveniently routed. <a title="Custom position control solutions" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/cema/custom.aspx">Custom position control solutions</a>, specifically designed for the likes of <a title="Siemens ultrasound cart" href="http://www.medical.siemens.com/siemens/en_US/gg_us_FBAs/files/brochures/Acuson/X300_PE_brochure.pdf">Siemens Medical's </a>and <a title="Philips HD3 ultrasound cart" href="http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/products/ultrasound/systems/hd3/index.wpd">Philips Medical Systems' </a>ultrasound Carts will also be on display. Be sure and stop by and see these and some other new <a title="Friction hinges" href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7561">friction hinge </a>products.</p>My colleagues and I look forward to meeting with any of you visiting the &quot;Windy City&quot;, for what promises to be an exciting event. So pleeeease...<br /><br /><b><font face="Verdana" color="#0000e0" size="1"><p><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; color: mediumblue; line-height: 115%">Visit us at booth 7663.</span></b></p><p><img id="_x0000_i1025" height="40" alt="http://www.southco.com/images/Modules/Industries/HIMSS_09.jpg" width="252" src="http://www.southco.com/images/Modules/Industries/HIMSS_09.jpg" /></p></font></b>]]></cpdm:body>
  2373. <cpdm:created>2009-04-01 16:47:45</cpdm:created>
  2374. <cpdm:published>2009-04-01 16:47:45</cpdm:published>
  2375. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2376. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2377. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/southco-at-himss-2009-in-chicago</cpdm:url>
  2378. </cpdm:post>
  2379. <cpdm:post id="c2d40e92-c8a6-47fb-9e30-d3c890446551">
  2380. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[HIMSS Exhibition April 2009]]></cpdm:title>
  2381. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[It's been a while since I posted, but, a lot has happened since the last one.<br /><br />Back in April, <a href="http://www.southco.com/">Southco</a>&nbsp;exhibited at the HIMSS exhibition in &quot;The Windy City&quot;. It was a well attended show, and weather that went from summer like, to a full snowstorm.<br /><br />Featured at our booth, and a nice one it was, were our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/positioning-hinges-8162.html">Position Control Products</a>&nbsp;as well as our <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/electronic-access-solutions-7336.html">Electronic Access Solutions</a>. Both received quite a bit of attention, especially from the medical cart manufacturers that also happened to be exhibiting. Attendees such as hospital administrators and engineering personnel stopped by to feel the smooth movement and holding strength of our soon to be released monitor arm. This is designed to provide predictable and reliable movement through&nbsp;out &nbsp;the range of motion.<br /><br /><img src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/92db3646-b03c-4faa-b83c-6874e7e35178/Image/205e1927b27247be7819eecd60f7fb31_w640.jpeg" alt="" style="border: medium none ; width: 412px; height: 270px;" /><br /><br />Stay tuned for some more exhibition activity, and application information.<br />]]></cpdm:body>
  2382. <cpdm:created>2009-05-26 19:18:48</cpdm:created>
  2383. <cpdm:published>2009-05-26 19:18:48</cpdm:published>
  2384. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2385. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2386. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/himss-exhibition-april-2009</cpdm:url>
  2387. </cpdm:post>
  2388. <cpdm:post id="36bd82b1-0634-43a3-89c0-41fdce40ac7e">
  2389. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[CMEF Exhibition 2009]]></cpdm:title>
  2390. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[Well almost directly from Chicago, it was off to Shenzhen China for the China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF). Once again we were featuring our <a href="http://www.southco.com/browse/hinges-position-control-7347.html">Position Control Technology</a>, displaying our new line of fricion hinges, and our soon to be released monitor arm. We were visited by intrnationally known medical device manufacturers such as <a href="http://www.mindray.com/main/index.htm">Mindray</a>, <a href="http://www.landwindmedical.com/home/index.asp">Landwind Medical</a>, and <a href="http://www.sonoscape.com/">Sonoscape</a> to name a few. The interest in our products was immense and generated application opportunities in portable ultrasound units, and monitor mounts for anesthesia and respiratory carts and general patient monitoring.<br /><br />It was interesting to see how little position control was implemented on the keyboards for so many versions of portable ultrasound units. A few years ago our <a href="http://www.southco.com/resources/documents/ST.en.pdf">ST-10A friction hinge </a>was designed into a Siemens Medical's unit, and both are&nbsp;shown below. These are the type of opportunities that appeared.<br /><br /><img height="166" alt="" width="250" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-bottom: medium none" src="http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/92db3646-b03c-4faa-b83c-6874e7e35178/Image/0e8f3f41870bd08d5ebf4ee4dfa0375a.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none; width: 169px; border-bottom: medium none; height: 113px" src="http://local.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/92db3646-b03c-4faa-b83c-6874e7e35178/Image/69ab2c94fd8c7924eca4efc4d365e9c0.jpg" /><br /><br />Addional applications for standard friction hinges are keyboards on medical carts. Here you can choose from our <a href="http://www.southco.com/resources/documents/ST.en.pdf">ST-10E friction hinge </a>line that provide alternative mounting schemes.<br /><br />There is so much more I can share here, but, we'll save some of that until we launch some exciting new custom solutions for some of the opprtunities we are working on as a result of the show.]]></cpdm:body>
  2391. <cpdm:created>2009-05-28 15:16:11</cpdm:created>
  2392. <cpdm:published>2009-05-28 15:16:11</cpdm:published>
  2393. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2394. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2395. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/positioning-applications/cmef-exhibition-2009</cpdm:url>
  2396. </cpdm:post>
  2397. </cpdm:posts>
  2398. </cpdm:blog>
  2399. </cpdm:user>
  2400. <cpdm:user id="b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159">
  2401. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Rachel]]></cpdm:firstname>
  2402. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Pilgren]]></cpdm:lastname>
  2403. <cpdm:email>rpilgren@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  2404. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[rpilgren@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
  2405. <cpdm:enabled>true</cpdm:enabled>
  2406. <cpdm:blog id="294d36db-e201-4877-8dd8-3b17522a226b">
  2407. <cpdm:type>norm</cpdm:type>
  2408. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Touchpoint Solutions]]></cpdm:title>
  2409. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Innovative latching and global access hardware solutions]]></cpdm:description>
  2410. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions</cpdm:url>
  2411. <cpdm:posts>
  2412. <cpdm:post id="2ae40830-80dd-4fe5-8719-eedba11bde23">
  2413. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Rachel Pilgren]]></cpdm:title>
  2414. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2415. Hi, my name is Rachel Pilgren, and I love a good story &ndash; especially when it involves Southco technology. As Marcom Specialist for Southco Inc., I support our Americas region by &nbsp;access hardware solutions bring value to various industry applications.</p>
  2416. <p>
  2417. When I&rsquo;m not busy asking our engineers tons of questions about our&nbsp;latches, I keep my ear to the ground for the latest Southco news. Follow&nbsp;along with me&nbsp;as I post&nbsp;information on new product launches, application design solutions for latches and hinges, tips and tricks, and commentary on industry news and trends.</p>
  2418. <p>
  2419. Do you have a application&nbsp;requiring latching hardware? Southco can help! Email me at <a href="mailto:rpilgren@yahoo.com">rpilgren@yahoo.com</a>.</p>
  2420. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2421. <cpdm:created>2012-03-23 17:15:05</cpdm:created>
  2422. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2423. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  2424. <cpdm:status>deleted</cpdm:status>
  2425. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/rachel-pilgren</cpdm:url>
  2426. </cpdm:post>
  2427. <cpdm:post id="61b80892-9d09-4975-9217-34a9eb551a20">
  2428. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Rachel Pilgren]]></cpdm:title>
  2429. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2430. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/0b9fb34bdc526296953481319ce27a7f/rp3.jpg" style="width: 100px; float: left; height: 100px" />Hi, my name is Rachel Pilgren, and I love a good story &ndash; especially when it involves Southco technology. As Marcom Specialist for Southco Inc., I support our Americas region by promoting our innovative hardware solutions and focusing on how they bring value to various industries we serve &ndash; and with Southco, there is always a story to tell.</p>
  2431. <p>
  2432. When I&rsquo;m not busy interviewing our engineers and product manager about our latches, I keep an ear to the ground for the latest Southco news. Follow along with me as I post information on new product launches, application design solutions for latches and hinges, tips and tricks, and commentary on industry news and trends.</p>
  2433. <p>
  2434. Do you have an application involving latching hardware? Southco can help! Email me at <a href="mailto:rpilgren@southco.com">rpilgren@southco.com</a>.</p>
  2435. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2436. <cpdm:created>2012-03-28 18:46:41</cpdm:created>
  2437. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  2438. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  2439. <cpdm:status>deleted</cpdm:status>
  2440. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/rachel-pilgren-v1</cpdm:url>
  2441. </cpdm:post>
  2442. <cpdm:post id="ff99072d-90a2-4c4a-b7aa-f26dfb2952c1">
  2443. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Rachel Pilgren]]></cpdm:title>
  2444. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2445. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/a89942e19937f7bc4b5625ffa81ef2c2/rp3.jpg" style="width: 115px; height: 125px; float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" />My name is Rachel Pilgren, and I love a good story &ndash; especially when it involves&nbsp;innovative&nbsp;technology. As Marcom Specialist for Southco Inc., I support our Americas region by promoting our&nbsp;access hardware solutions and focusing on how they bring value to various industries we serve &ndash; and with Southco technology, there is always a story to tell.</p>
  2446. <p>
  2447. When I&rsquo;m not busy interviewing our engineers and product managers about our latches, I keep an ear to the ground for the latest Southco news. Follow along with me as I post information on new product launches, application design solutions for latches and hinges, tips and tricks, and commentary on industry news and trends.</p>
  2448. <p>
  2449. Do you have a Southco story to share? Email me at <a href="mailto:rpilgren@southco.com">rpilgren@southco.com</a>.</p>
  2450. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2451. <cpdm:created>2012-03-28 19:31:31</cpdm:created>
  2452. <cpdm:published>2012-04-02 12:59:10</cpdm:published>
  2453. <cpdm:sticky>true</cpdm:sticky>
  2454. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2455. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/rachel-pilgren-v2</cpdm:url>
  2456. </cpdm:post>
  2457. <cpdm:post id="666c8f7e-92c2-4714-af02-c79666b99cce">
  2458. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Rugged Latches that Withstand the Elements]]></cpdm:title>
  2459. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2460. Extreme temperatures are a constant source of frustration for engineers designing for outdoor applications because hardware must be protected from the elements but still be fully functional. The challenge is finding the right material to suit your application; the solution is anticipating the elements and designing accordingly.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/00b49f8a3190908dfcd59ad28a7a2f5a/utilities.jpg" style="margin: 7px 6px; width: 217px; float: right; height: 136px" /></p>
  2461. <p>
  2462. Southco&nbsp;engineers were recently consulted by a utility company about replacing the locking system on large, free-standing power boxes. Because the boxes are stationed permanently outside, the utility company had been forced to replace latches annually due to damage sustained by changes in weather. The company wished to ensure the front door of the box remained securely latched even in the event that its inner hardware became damaged by weather exposure.</p>
  2463. <p>
  2464. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/a47a8e4ec90b8149cb36caae1753d339/ac_30_40a.jpg" style="margin: 6px; width: 225px; float: left; height: 131px" />Our engineers suggested Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-actuators-7623.html" target="_blank">AC-30 and AC-40 Stainless Steel Actuators</a>, to be used as a complete system with our <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html" target="_blank">R4 Series Rotary Latches</a>. When combined with our cable and rod options, they become a complete rotary latch system. This complete system allows the engineer to install the R4 on the inside of the box and install the AC-30 or AC-40 on the outside, with both connected by the cable. When the operator triggers the AC-30 or AC-40, it releases the rotary latch within the interior, granting access.</p>
  2465. <p>
  2466. Southco&rsquo;s AC-30 and AC-40 are constructed of non-corrosive materials and are suitable for outdoor<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f2ee81dd4fa9b16848478d1febdf18be/rotary_system2.jpg" style="margin: 7px 5px; width: 202px; float: right; height: 93px" /> use in a wide range of working and extreme temperatures. A key-locking feature provides multiple key codes for added security, and a lock/unlock indicator provides visual feedback on lock status. Additionally, we offer an optional attached cam latch for push-to-close functionality with added compression.</p>
  2467. <p>
  2468. &nbsp;</p>
  2469. <p>
  2470. Is&nbsp;temperature exposure a factor in your outdoor latching applications? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2471. <p>
  2472. &nbsp;</p>
  2473. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2474. <cpdm:created>2012-03-28 19:42:25</cpdm:created>
  2475. <cpdm:published>2012-06-06 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2476. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2477. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2478. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/rugged-latches-that-withstand-the-elements</cpdm:url>
  2479. </cpdm:post>
  2480. <cpdm:post id="54ba7f8c-1f82-468a-aa6d-97da6412990e">
  2481. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Single Point Paddle Actuator System Provides Flexible Latching in Off-Highway Settings]]></cpdm:title>
  2482. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2483. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9658a32adfe95b2b2e7f57a6a85a20d4/excavator1.jpg" style="width: 215px; float: right; height: 276px" />One of our key account managers returned from a visit with a client recently&nbsp;that&nbsp;needed to solve a design application for its fleet of excavation vehicles. The client wanted to outfit the vehicles with a more secure latching solution for an existing exterior storage box on the outside of the excavator cab, which holds expensive tools on the jobsite. With the intention of preventing tools from going missing and lowering the risk of theft,&nbsp; the client came to us with very specific requirements for the application d<em>e</em>sign and its operation.</p>
  2484. <p>
  2485. The main challenge of the design requirement presented itself in the access. The client specified that the box could only be opened from the inside of the excavation vehicle, meaning that the only way an individual on the outside of the vehicle could access the box would be if it was triggered from within. To further deter theft, the box would have no visible exterior latching mechanism.</p>
  2486. <p>
  2487. Because the interior operator would be using both hands frequently to control the machine, the control of the latching device had to be able to be triggered with simple manipulation. In addition, the client requested that the interior latching system be flush with the existing control panel, so as not to obstruct the operator, and be constructed in a durable material to withstand the impact of the construction-related wear.</p>
  2488. <p>
  2489. The solution? Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ac-actuators-7623.html" target="_blank">AC-75 Single Point Paddle Actuator</a>, which features a paddle-style construction with a deep recess for an easy grip or fingerpull operation. The AC-75 is constructed of powder coated aluminum for durability and usability in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.</p>
  2490. <p>
  2491. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/ab905831bba77c9681930444af5d877b/ac_75.jpg" style="margin: 35px 5px; width: 181px; float: left; height: 139px" /></p>
  2492. <p>
  2493. Additionally, the AC-75 enables front mount installation with three cable mounting options and is compatible with Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-rotary-latches-7402.html" target="_blank">R4 Series Rotary Latches</a>. This complete system allows the engineer to install the AC-75 inside the excavator cab and install the R4 outside, in the box, with both connected by the cable. When the operator triggers the AC-75, it releases the rotary latch in the exterior toolbox, granting access.</p>
  2494. <p>
  2495. Is designing for security a factor in your off-highway applications?&nbsp;Have a complicated latching application where we can help? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2496. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2497. <cpdm:created>2012-03-29 12:27:39</cpdm:created>
  2498. <cpdm:published>2012-09-05 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2499. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2500. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2501. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/single-point-paddle-actuator-system-provides-flexible-latching-in-off-highway-settings</cpdm:url>
  2502. </cpdm:post>
  2503. <cpdm:post id="4998c994-41f1-4689-a44a-0aad40320b91">
  2504. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Electronic Latching Protects Access to Pharmaceuticals]]></cpdm:title>
  2505. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2506. In hospitals, pharmaceutical theft is a big problem. Medicine that is unaccounted for or dispensed of improperly can cause disruptions to patient care, and in severe cases, these actions can even result in accidental death. To prevent pharmaceutical theft from occurring, the medical industry must implement access solutions that not only keep pharmaceutical inventory secure, but provide an electronic,&nbsp;trackable audit trail as well.</p>
  2507. <p>
  2508. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/33ef420c90ab46010cd799d6959d099e/medicine2.jpg" style="margin: 5px 7px; width: 200px; float: left; height: 133px" />Recently, our engineers were approached by a manufacturer of medical storage devices regarding an interior latching system for a medical dispensing cart. The manufacturer was seeking a latching solution that would allow the individual drawers of a medication dispensing cart to be automatically opened and closed when accessed through an attached touchscreen computer.</p>
  2509. <p>
  2510. Southco engineers recommended the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-light-duty-electronic-rotary-latch-7655.html" target="_blank">R4-EM Light Duty Rotary Latch</a>, which provides a simple, versatile electromechanical latch solution that allows access to complete systems to be monitored and controlled remotely, in this case through the computer attached to the dispensing cart.</p>
  2511. <p>
  2512. When the user&rsquo;s access code is entered into the computer and the medicine is selected, the computer sends a signal&nbsp;to&nbsp;Southco&#39;s R4-EM to open the latch of the corresponding medicine drawer. Once the medicine is removed, the drawer simply needs to be closed manually by the user, and it is once again securely re-latched.&nbsp;</p>
  2513. <p>
  2514. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/6afa20debbccf6a817d932360f3034d0/r4_em_ld.jpg" style="width: 191px; float: left; height: 149px" /></p>
  2515. <p>
  2516. Constructed of durable composite plastic,&nbsp;Southco&#39;s R4-EM Light Duty Rotary Latch delivers the proven reliability of the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html" target="_blank">Steel R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch</a> in a lightweight, compact package. Other features include a microprocessor control that&nbsp;provides energy efficiency, an integrated mechanical override should a power failure occur, and an optional internal microswitch to provide an output to indicate the status of the lock.</p>
  2517. <p>
  2518. &nbsp;</p>
  2519. <p>
  2520. What steps are you taking to safeguard your pharmaceuticals?&nbsp;Do you use door latches&nbsp;or electronic latching solutions in your applications? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2521. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2522. <cpdm:created>2012-03-29 13:02:11</cpdm:created>
  2523. <cpdm:published>2012-06-20 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2524. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2525. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2526. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/electronic-latching-protects-access-to-pharmaceuticals</cpdm:url>
  2527. </cpdm:post>
  2528. <cpdm:post id="78ce59cf-f8ff-4a9a-896b-e4de35194102">
  2529. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Electronic Access Latching Helps to Deter Theft]]></cpdm:title>
  2530. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2531. When it comes to locker use, winning the war against theft can be tough. Whether an employer requires its employees to keep their belongings in a locker during their shifts, or a business offers lockers for customer use, security must always be at the forefront of operations. Because even codes to the most sophisticated combination can be cracked and keys can be stolen or copied, locker manufacturers are looking at new ways to deter theft - and many are turning to electronic access solutions.</p>
  2532. <p>
  2533. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/7b9f414ea644d96554d9a4d73b2e887b/locker.jpg" style="margin: 7px; width: 215px; float: left; height: 153px" /></p>
  2534. <p>
  2535. A locker manufacturer recently approached Southco engineers about specifying a latching system for an upgraded line of lockers designed to protect more valuable belongings in both work and leisure settings, such as expo facilities and athletic clubs. Its engineers were mainly interested in a heavy-duty internal latch to be housed in the locker door, as well as a more unique option for user access than a key or combination lock.</p>
  2536. <p>
  2537. &nbsp;</p>
  2538. <p>
  2539. Our engineers recommended the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-kc2-membrane-keypad-access-controller-7651.html">EA-KC2 Membrane Keypad Access Controller</a> and <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch</a>, which simplify access management with a self-contained unit, meaning no<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/bfd5b1a9689e669c4260f00610a98206/ea_kc2.jpg" style="width: 176px; float: right; height: 171px" /> external connections or software are required to program or operate the system.</p>
  2540. <p>
  2541. The Membrane Keypad Controller contains a microprocessor that compares the stored user access codes with what is being entered on the corresponding Membrane Keypad and either grants or denies access. The Controller also provides two outputs for independent control of two separate latches and works with the Membrane Keypad, which can hold 120, four-digit user codes.</p>
  2542. <p>
  2543. &nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/87f633f5130753996d5e4d4bb134f348/r4_em_ss_.jpg" style="width: 169px; float: left; height: 129px" /></p>
  2544. <p>
  2545. The R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch, which features a secure, concealed electronic release latching solution, can be wired into the Membrane Keypad Access Controller system and when the Controller recognizes the code entered by the user, it will release the R4-EM latch. The user need only push to close the locker door and the latch will re-secure- itself.</p>
  2546. <p>
  2547. &nbsp;</p>
  2548. <p>
  2549. How can electronic&nbsp;electronic access solutions&nbsp;enhance your locking applications? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2550. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2551. <cpdm:created>2012-03-29 13:48:43</cpdm:created>
  2552. <cpdm:published>2012-04-25 16:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2553. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2554. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2555. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/electronic-access-latching-helps-to-deter-theft</cpdm:url>
  2556. </cpdm:post>
  2557. <cpdm:post id="c0325329-0b15-403d-a1b0-11477b948c6a">
  2558. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Biometric Latching: Security with a Personal Touch]]></cpdm:title>
  2559. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2560. When issuing security cards, codes and keys, it is often difficult to guarantee that only the individuals <img alt="" height="163" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/e9fdbcb7ff024bcd295869f63e9879e7/handkey.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 218px; float: right; height: 142px" width="242" />authorized to use these items will actually do so. Though it may be against company policy, an employee may still allow a co-worker to borrow his/her key for the sake of convenience. Even with the latest technology-based security and audit solutions, tracking the person who is actually assigned to their individual method of access can be a challenge.</p>
  2561. <p>
  2562. Recently, a firm tasked with designing enclosure cabinets for a government research facility approached&nbsp;Southco about specifying an enhanced security&nbsp;latching solution into their application. The facility had requested a door latch that would allow only certain employees to access server cabinets containing highly-confidential, restricted government data.</p>
  2563. <p>
  2564. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/8e18316ba6245501759329988677f549/biomet.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 90px; float: left; height: 259px" />Their main concern was centered on finding a way to ensure that only these employees could physically open the doors to the restricted cabinets. Additionally, the facility required the&nbsp;capability to electronically&nbsp;track and record access to the door latch&nbsp;via a remote system located off site.</p>
  2565. <p>
  2566. Southco suggested its <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-em-electronic-locking-swinghandle-7638.html" target="_blank">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle</a>, which offers integrated sensors and multiple output signals that provide data for both local and remote monitoring, facilitating the maintenance of an accurate, trackable audit trail - while keeping enclosure doors securely latched.</p>
  2567. <p>
  2568. The H3-EM&nbsp;is&nbsp;Southco&#39;s leading electronic&nbsp;lock,&nbsp;now available with a built-in biometric verification and access control system, which allows the syste<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/6bfe7358a646d5044e08500afa200adb/print.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 128px; float: right; height: 91px" />m to verify the individual&rsquo;s unique fingerprint before the lock is released and the cabinet can be opened. Fast fingerprint validation via the biometric reader eliminates the need for keys, cards or PIN pads and provides accurate user identification.</p>
  2569. <p>
  2570. &nbsp;</p>
  2571. <p>
  2572. Would you use biometrics in locking and security applications?&nbsp; Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2573. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2574. <cpdm:created>2012-03-29 19:05:07</cpdm:created>
  2575. <cpdm:published>2012-10-10 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2576. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2577. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2578. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/biometric-latching-security-with-a-personal-touch</cpdm:url>
  2579. </cpdm:post>
  2580. <cpdm:post id="198fbfd3-ef9a-4afe-bbb6-a8ebfc86c08d">
  2581. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Go Wireless: Actuate Your Southco Locks with Remote Control ]]></cpdm:title>
  2582. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2583. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/c6963016cd76d9675a8f8aa4698b4291/ea_r02.jpg" style="margin: 0px 5px; width: 244px; float: right; height: 216px" />Now you can wirelessly actuate Southco locks with ease with our new <a href="http://www.southco.com/products/ea-r02-rf-wireless-remote-controller/ea-r02.html" target="_blank">EA-R02 RF Remote Control System</a>. The EA-R02 RF offers economical, remote control operation with a key fob, putting access in the palm of your hand.&nbsp;</p>
  2584. <p>
  2585. The EA-R02 RF Remote Control System is an extension of our <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-r01-rf-wireless-remote-controller-7643.html" target="_blank">EA-R01</a> series, which was constructed for heavy duty and waterproof applications. The EA-R02 RF is Southco&#39;s electronic access solution (EAS)&nbsp;designed and constructed for use with light-duty, indoor applications.</p>
  2586. <p>
  2587. Simply press the &ldquo;lock&rdquo; or &ldquo;unlock&rdquo; button (just like you do with your car&rsquo;s keyfob) and your Southco lock will respond from approximately 60 feet away.</p>
  2588. <p style="text-align: center">
  2589. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9511c9b565ba599e46ed96ed77cb44e5/fob2_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 370px; height: 163px" /></p>
  2590. <p>
  2591. Like its predecessor, the EA-R02 RF provides convenient, secure access management and eliminates the need to carry numerous mechanical keys. The unit arrives pre-programmed as well, allowing for trouble-free installation and setup.&nbsp;</p>
  2592. <p>
  2593. Do you have an application requiring the EA-R02 RF&rsquo;s remote control locking availability? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2594. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2595. <cpdm:created>2012-03-30 14:56:00</cpdm:created>
  2596. <cpdm:published>2012-05-09 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2597. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2598. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2599. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/go-wireless-actuate-your-southco-locks-with-remote-control</cpdm:url>
  2600. </cpdm:post>
  2601. <cpdm:post id="27947bc8-628c-483d-8c81-ab08a2cc216b">
  2602. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Proven Display Positioning…When a Little Tilt Is All You Need]]></cpdm:title>
  2603. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2604. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/474ec4065f65766fe8ab8932bfc3e0c6/selfcheckout1.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px solid; border-left: 0px solid; margin: 5px; width: 224px; float: right; height: 208px; border-top: 0px solid; border-right: 0px solid" />Sometimes a display need only be manipulated with a simple tilt to provide the optimal user experience. That&rsquo;s why&nbsp;Southco designed the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7653">AV-D30 Tilt Display Mount (T Series), </a>which brings best-in-class user experience to applications where only the tilt angle of the display needs adjusting. The T Series&rsquo; smooth tilting action allows quick, display position control to suit unique users with different preferences, as well as changing lighting conditions.</p>
  2605. <p>
  2606. Southco&#39;s T Series also provides display counterbalancing, allowing you to move the display with your fingertips, eliminating the need to use your entire hand to tilt or reposition the screen. Additionally, the mechanism is completely enclosed, allowing for ease of cleaning and effortless upkeep.</p>
  2607. <p>
  2608. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/bcddacf82231fbdfc6fac9f3b79c46b8/avd30_w640.jpeg" style="margin-top: 3px; width: 244px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left; height: 211px" /></p>
  2609. <p>
  2610. Similar to Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7641">A Series (Tilt, Swivel and Swing Arm)</a> and<a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7646"> K Series (Tilt and Swivel Display Mount), </a>the T Series features integrated positioning technology for a long cycle life free of service, maintenance and adjustments.</p>
  2611. <p>
  2612. Interested in learning more about Southco&rsquo;s entire line of AV Display Mounts? Click <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=8201">here</a>.</p>
  2613. <p>
  2614. Have a position control challenge&nbsp;and&nbsp;think&nbsp;the T Series may be the&nbsp;right solution&nbsp;for your application? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2615. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2616. <cpdm:created>2012-03-30 15:30:05</cpdm:created>
  2617. <cpdm:published>2012-05-23 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2618. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2619. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2620. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/proven-display-positioning-when-a-little-tilt-is-all-you-need</cpdm:url>
  2621. </cpdm:post>
  2622. <cpdm:post id="16465bc7-5a23-41fe-80e7-774883be299a">
  2623. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Sponsors Award-Winning FIRST FRC Team]]></cpdm:title>
  2624. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2625. The Southco Honeoye Falls Facility is nurturing the next generation of engineers through the sponsorship of a team of local high-school students, who not only competed in this year&rsquo;s regional FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), but took the top honor against 41 teams.</p>
  2626. <p>
  2627. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people&#39;s interest and participation in science and technology. FIRST sponsors events for K-12 students which are designed to help them discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math.</p>
  2628. <p>
  2629. As the main focus of this year&rsquo;s FRC, Honeoye&rsquo;s team, the SUITS (Students Utilizing Ingenuity Technology and Science) created a robot that they used to participate in this year&rsquo;s tournament, which required them to compete against other teams by executing a series of tasks for points.</p>
  2630. <p style="text-align: center">
  2631. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/16765ede288d72ba7e44e86ff2936017/winning_team_pic2_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; height: 267px" /></p>
  2632. <p>
  2633. The robot, which was designed and completely built within six weeks according to strict FIRST deadlines, also helped the team to secure the Rookie Highest Seed Award in addition to their victory at the Finger Lakes Regional Competition at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in March.</p>
  2634. <p>
  2635. Building a robot in only six weeks was no easy task. However, when it comes to design, Southco&rsquo;s engineers are always up for a challenge. It&rsquo;s only natural that Honeoye Falls&rsquo; own Rick Langkamp, Manager of Manufacturing Technology and New Product Development, would jump at the opportunity to mentor the SUITS and help them design, execute and test a robot in such a short time.</p>
  2636. <p>
  2637. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a very aggressive timeframe,&rdquo; said Langkamp, who has over 28 years of experience with Southco. &ldquo;It would be a stretch even if I brought it in here as a regular project.&rdquo;</p>
  2638. <p>
  2639. Langkamp is no stranger to FIRST &ndash; his own son has participated in the FIRST LEGO-League, a category for kids grades 4-8. Langkamps&rsquo;s main focus as a mentor for the SUITS team is assisting them in the programming for the control system of the robot.</p>
  2640. <p>
  2641. Langkamp, who has been with Southco since he was an engineering co-op, works primarily with mechanical and electronic controls and sensors, focusing on new product development and new manufacturing processes. He was impressed with the quality and sophistication of the software and full kit of electronic parts available to his team, which are provided by FIRST sponsors and are available to them for a full 12 months.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/7d21ec0d1bca907e09beedb0d04fdbbc/pb251012.JPG" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; float: left; height: 300px" /></p>
  2642. <p>
  2643. &ldquo;We never had access to this cool stuff when I was a kid,&rdquo; said Langkamp. &ldquo;Imagine the potential of kids who come up through the program and what they could contribute to the future of engineering,&rdquo; he said.</p>
  2644. <p>
  2645. <a href="http://www.southco.com">Southco&rsquo;s </a>products played a key role in the development of the team&rsquo;s robot, said Langkamp. Scrap metal from Southco&rsquo;s production facility, fasteners, latching hardware and other machined parts from the Honeoye Falls facility were used in the robot&rsquo;s construction. Southco&rsquo;s Information Technology (IT) team even donated several old laptops for the team to use when programming the robot.</p>
  2646. <p>
  2647. The SUITS&rsquo; robot has a variety of advanced features and is designed to be as close to a real engineering experience as possible. Langkamp said that the robot-building process offered by FIRST is unique in that:</p>
  2648. <ul>
  2649. <li>
  2650. The frame is typically built from aluminum channel , similar to 80/20 aluminum.</li>
  2651. <li>
  2652. A programmable logic controller from National instruments is included in the control system (These are programmed in Labview, Java,&nbsp;or C++).</li>
  2653. <li>
  2654. A wireless network access point is incorporated, as all robots are required to run on a wireless network during the competition.</li>
  2655. <li>
  2656. Electronics includes variable speed motors , switches, solenoids, servomechanisms and lighting.</li>
  2657. <li>
  2658. Many robots incorporate a camera and vision system as well as ultrasonic sensors, gyros and accelerometers.</li>
  2659. <li>
  2660. Teams also have the option of using a pneumatic compressor and air cylinders.</li>
  2661. <li>
  2662. It is up to each FRC team to decide how they want to design their robot using Autocad, Pro- E (CREO) and other software.</li>
  2663. <li>
  2664. The teams are held to a budget of $3200, with a maximum allowed robot weight of 120 lbs.</li>
  2665. </ul>
  2666. <p>
  2667. In addition to the robot design, FRC teams are challenged to raise funds, design a team &ldquo;brand&rdquo; and work together as a team. &nbsp;With the help of their team leader,<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f9bf7dfd9d58c68edede26a7853917ed/suits_1__w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 200px" /> Mike Shaughnessy, the SUITS have raised over $21K to pay for their entry fees and travel costs. The SUITS also sell LED light bulbs to support their team.</p>
  2668. <p>
  2669. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a great program,&rdquo; said Langkamp. &ldquo;There is something for everyone because kids involved can choose to do marketing, fundraising and finance, not just engineering.&rdquo;</p>
  2670. <p>
  2671. Look for the SUITS&rsquo; logo, a black shirt with white tie, at the FIRST Championship competition, which will be hosted at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on April 25-28. The SUITS (Team #3951) will compete against other regional winners as they contend for the top spot in the national competition.</p>
  2672. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2673. <cpdm:created>2012-03-30 18:36:44</cpdm:created>
  2674. <cpdm:published>2012-04-11 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2675. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2676. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2677. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-sponsors-award-winning-first-frc-team</cpdm:url>
  2678. </cpdm:post>
  2679. <cpdm:post id="149fe25d-0985-4fa6-bd99-57c76a38adf1">
  2680. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Compact Prox Card Reader Offers Simplified, Keyless Access]]></cpdm:title>
  2681. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2682. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/7a28d4a34b53a438020fab48b5dbd798/ea_p3.jpg" style="margin: 5px 7px; width: 180px; float: left; height: 186px" />Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-p3-proximity-reader-7656.html" target="_blank">EA-P3 Proximity Reader</a> provides convenient, secure access control of electronic locking devices in a compact package. The EA-P3 produces a standard 26 bit Wiegand output and accepts HID 125 kHz prox cards or tags, allowing it to be easily combined with an existing access controller to add additional keyless entry points to existing security systems.</p>
  2683. <p>
  2684. In many equipment security applications, radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity cards are replacing traditional&nbsp;lock and&nbsp;key applications as a flexible solution to access control needs.&nbsp;Southco&rsquo;s EA-P3 is a great choice for applications requiring&nbsp;increased security&nbsp;because although&nbsp;the electronic locking system&nbsp;features&nbsp;sophisticated technology,&nbsp;it&nbsp;keeps access<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9edb98fc5c2b32ef61a27f24ca7f255d/serverca.jpg" style="margin: 10px 5px; width: 239px; float: right; height: 131px" /> management simple and affordable for the operator.</p>
  2685. <p>
  2686. The EA-P3&nbsp;is easy to install, can be&nbsp;mounted virtually anywhere, and can&nbsp;also be combined with another Southco product &ndash; the <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-p1-proximity-reader-7639.html" target="_blank">EA-P1 Pin/Prox Reader</a> &ndash; for a complete access control system.</p>
  2687. <p>
  2688. The electronic locking capability of the EA-P3&nbsp;makes it a&nbsp;practical&nbsp;addition to existing security systems, and&nbsp;is well suited to enclosures, medical and self service applications, secure storage and datacenters.</p>
  2689. <p>
  2690. Interested in learning&nbsp;more about what&nbsp;Southco&#39;s Proximity Readers can do for your application? <a href="http://www.southco.com/contact/">Email us</a>!</p>
  2691. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2692. <cpdm:created>2012-04-02 13:11:20</cpdm:created>
  2693. <cpdm:published>2012-04-18 12:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2694. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2695. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2696. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/compact-prox-card-reader-offers-simplified-keyless-access</cpdm:url>
  2697. </cpdm:post>
  2698. <cpdm:post id="dac55965-4f09-4517-827e-6c844b3be123">
  2699. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Security at the Cabinet Level: Electronic Locking Solutions That Won’t Get Lost in the Cloud]]></cpdm:title>
  2700. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2701. Cloud computing is not just a technology buzz phrase anymore &ndash; it&rsquo;s a reality. As more companies begin moving their data (and customer data) to the cloud, the focus is not just on the new technology itself, but on securing datacenters and protecting information from the threat of security breaches.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/2cd27ca7e2970a74935fbf33e74b344e/serv.jpg" style="border-bottom: 3px solid; border-left: 3px solid; margin: 5px 7px; width: 247px; float: left; height: 187px; border-top: 3px solid; border-right: 3px solid" /></p>
  2702. <p>
  2703. While many precautions can be taken software-wise when it comes to preventing a cyber-attack, it is the physical security at the cabinet level of the datacenter that is often overlooked.</p>
  2704. <p>
  2705. Recognizing that data can be accessed on the ground as well as in a network setting, a cloud computing provider recently approached our engineers seeking a more sophisticated access control system solution to replace the existing&nbsp;locks on its datacenter enclosure cabinets.</p>
  2706. <p>
  2707. The datacenter was currently using a combination locking system in conjunction with a mechanical latch on all cabinet doors, with a unique combination code assigned to each employee who would need to gain access to the enclosures. Due to more stringent regulatory requirements affecting the data which was stored by the provider, it was necessary to incorporate an upgraded access control system with an electronic latch, enabling an automated, secure audit trail that could be monitored from a remote location.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/c90b04db1066005d84b6b2061a78451c/ea_p3_2a.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 196px; float: left; height: 172px" /></p>
  2708. <p>
  2709. The engineers also communicated to Southco that they already use an existing non-contact card reader system to grant employees access to datacenter entrance points. The provider requested that the new electronic latching system for their cabinets integrate with their existing security system and use the same access control credentials.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/93e73731b15626d8a3936cfd438e6d36/h3_em.jpg" style="margin: 7px 5px; width: 212px; float: right; height: 213px" /></p>
  2710. <p>
  2711. &nbsp;</p>
  2712. <p>
  2713. &nbsp;</p>
  2714. <p>
  2715. Our engineers suggested Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/h3-em-electronic-locking-swinghandle-7638.html" target="_blank">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle</a> and our <a href="http://www.southco.com/class/ea-p3-proximity-reader-7656.html" target="_blank">EA-P3 Proximity Reader</a>. The intelligence of our H3-EM offers electronic locking capability and allows for remote monitoring and access through the datacenter&rsquo;s existing security system. The EA-P3 produces a standard 26 bit Wiegand output and reads HID 125 kHz prox cards or tags, making it compatible with the datacenter&rsquo;s existing security system &nbsp;and allowing datacenter staff to use their current access control credentials to unlock and open&nbsp;their cabinets.</p>
  2716. <p>
  2717. What steps are you taking to ensure that your datacenter cabinets are securely locked?&nbsp;Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2718. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2719. <cpdm:created>2012-04-05 18:30:47</cpdm:created>
  2720. <cpdm:published>2012-06-27 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2721. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2722. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2723. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/security-at-the-cabinet-level-electronic-locking-solutions-that-wont-get-lost-in-the-cloud</cpdm:url>
  2724. </cpdm:post>
  2725. <cpdm:post id="49b87055-5b1a-4321-a257-1fe498a9c7c8">
  2726. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Our Miniature Captive Screw…Now Available in Color ]]></cpdm:title>
  2727. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2728. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/691289affeaf28825a9a0a06be82ea4d/rb.jpg" style="width: 668px; height: 51px" /></p>
  2729. <p>
  2730. Designating and identifying access points in applications is a colorful activity with Southco&rsquo;s new 52 Miniature Over-Molded Captive Screw. The newest extension to our captive screw line features a plastic, over-molded screw head&nbsp;which is available in standard color options, as well as custom colors matched to customer specifications, product styling and color schemes.</p>
  2731. <p>
  2732. The <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7443">52 Miniature Over-Molded Captive Screw</a> not only enables fastening in tight spaces, it also allows customers to easily designate access points by color in various industrial applications.<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/ef0ac6fbc6b58ee0239b7afce1f4232e/new_52_overmold_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 256px; float: right; height: 179px" /></p>
  2733. <p>
  2734. Similar to our standard Miniature Captive Screw line, the 52 Miniature Over-Molded Captive Screw reduces the&nbsp;design footprint with its compact design, combination tool-head recesses and knurled and smooth screw options.</p>
  2735. <p>
  2736. These features, together with color options, provide versatility for fastening/unfastening by hand or with tools when mounting doors, panels and other hardware components in applications where space is limited and access identification is necessary.</p>
  2737. <p>
  2738. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f245774ada2c3668597f3a34e9fc6a7b/cboard.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 279px; float: left; height: 143px" /></p>
  2739. <p>
  2740. Visit Southco&#39;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7340">Captive Screw product page</a> for our complete line captive hardware options.</p>
  2741. <p>
  2742. &nbsp;</p>
  2743. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2744. <cpdm:created>2012-05-23 17:09:14</cpdm:created>
  2745. <cpdm:published>2012-12-19 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2746. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2747. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2748. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/our-miniature-captive-screw-now-available-in-color</cpdm:url>
  2749. </cpdm:post>
  2750. <cpdm:post id="ad00d35a-d2c4-48a9-b5b6-73bab67d7d45">
  2751. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Now You Can Control 14 Different Electronic Locks and Devices From One Computer]]></cpdm:title>
  2752. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2753. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/ffb325b91e4921f056f1197161987586/finger_keyboard.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 154px; float: left; height: 111px" />Southco&rsquo;s newest technology allows you to seamlessly actuate multiple electronic locks and devices through your existing computer. Southco&rsquo;s EA-A06 USB Controller provides simple, independent, remote actuation of up to 14 electromechanical latches when connected to a standard computer USB port.</p>
  2754. <p>
  2755. The EA-A06 is designed with plug-and-play functionality which eliminates the need to splice wires and allows electronic locks and devices to be directly connected<img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/29ad7d01d29a9ad99b8c11f7e39d2a64/ea_a06_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 321px; float: right; height: 186px" /> into the controller, saving time and labor involved with installation. By connecting the EA-A06 to an existing computer, the computer becomes a single source for remote actuation, eliminating the need for additional access control devices.</p>
  2756. <p>
  2757. The EA-A06 provides an interface between the user&rsquo;s existing interface and electronic latches which can provide remote control and audit trail capabilities that can be used to help demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements &ndash; making it an ideal choice for self service, enclosure and medical applications.</p>
  2758. <p>
  2759. <img alt="" src="https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/d67f05e9e77df566ca47c74eb321f746/cart2.jpg" style="width: 231px; float: left; height: 216px" />Additionally, the controller is compatible with Southco&rsquo;s electromechanical latches, including our popular <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7619">R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch</a>, <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7647">EM e-Keeper </a>and <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7638">H3-EM Electronic Swinghandle</a>, as well as other electronic locks and devices.</p>
  2760. <p>
  2761. Learn more about Southco&rsquo;s robust line of EAS products.</p>
  2762. <p>
  2763. Have an application that the EA-A06 USB Controller may be appropriate for? Tell us in the comments.</p>
  2764. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2765. <cpdm:created>2012-05-23 17:44:27</cpdm:created>
  2766. <cpdm:published>2012-07-11 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2767. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2768. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2769. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/now-you-can-control-14-different-electronic-locks-and-devices-from-one-computer</cpdm:url>
  2770. </cpdm:post>
  2771. <cpdm:post id="7f5b5fd2-8942-48e5-86d5-664573f80b34">
  2772. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[New and Improved Electronic Swinghandle Features Built-in Proximity Reader]]></cpdm:title>
  2773. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2774. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/098d1d895996e8a629a38036e5765037/datacenter55.jpeg" style="width: 280px; float: right; height: 182px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px" />Southco&rsquo;s popular electronic swinghandle is now available with an integrated proximity reader, allowing&nbsp;our customers to&nbsp;seamlessly add additional keyless entry points to existing security systems.</p>
  2775. <p>
  2776. Southco&rsquo;s new <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7659">H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle with Integrated Proximity Reader</a> produces a standard 26 bit Wiegand output and accepts HID 125 kHz prox cards or tags &ndash; and is compatible with existing user credentials.<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/6baf352cd3136fb0150cbf4a43b81867/h3_em_proximity_reader2_w640.jpeg" style="width: 250px; float: left; height: 354px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px" /></p>
  2777. <p>
  2778. &nbsp;</p>
  2779. <p>
  2780. &nbsp;</p>
  2781. <p>
  2782. The H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle with Integrated Proximity Reader features single panel preparation, allowing it to be easily incorporated into standard industry designs.</p>
  2783. <p>
  2784. By integrating both the prox reader and swinghandle into one solution, it saves the customer both time and labor involved with installation. The H3-EM with Integrated Proximity Reader offers enhanced electromechanics, and easy set up and configuration, as well as improved ergonomics.</p>
  2785. <p>
  2786. Additionally, when connected to an existing security system, this new swinghandle also enables the user to easily track and record access to the electronic locks, providing an audit trail that can be used to help demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.</p>
  2787. <p>
  2788. Interested in learning more? Visit the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7659">electronic latching swinghandle page</a> for more information about how the H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle with Integrated Proximity Reader&nbsp;can help meet your datacenter&nbsp;security needs.</p>
  2789. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2790. <cpdm:created>2012-06-05 13:23:13</cpdm:created>
  2791. <cpdm:published>2012-08-22 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2792. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2793. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2794. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/new-and-improved-electronic-swinghandle-features-built-in-proximity-reader</cpdm:url>
  2795. </cpdm:post>
  2796. <cpdm:post id="1accca89-0d0b-49f2-99f0-8123bde05810">
  2797. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[University of Minnesota FSAE Team Chooses Southco Products for Formula One Racecar Design]]></cpdm:title>
  2798. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2799. Southco&rsquo;s access hardware solutions have been incorporated into a wide variety of applications, including everything from yachts to data servers, so when the University of Minnesota Formula SAE (FSAE) team contacted Southco about donating some of its Quarter-Turn Fasteners for their racecar design, Southco was ready.</p>
  2800. <p>
  2801. Formula SAE&reg; is a student design competition organized by SAE International that challenges students to develop a small Formula-style racecar. The design process typically lasts 8-12 months and includes building, testing and preparing the car for the annual SAE Formula Competition.</p>
  2802. <p style="text-align: center">
  2803. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/5b1ecfb79be2ead907e251a6826f714a/fsae2.jpg" style="width: 450px; height: 290px" /></p>
  2804. <p>
  2805. However, it&rsquo;s not the speed of the car that the judges are evaluating, it is the overall quality of the vehicle and its potential as a marketable production item. Teams are judged on everything from the design and cost of the vehicle to its performance, with regard to acceleration, fuel economy and endurance.</p>
  2806. <p>
  2807. According to Maclean Potts, junior mechanical engineering major at UMN and project manager for the team, he scoured the Internet for the best quality hardware for what his team was trying to accomplish and his search brought him to Southco.</p>
  2808. <p>
  2809. When Southco acquired Dzus in 2004, it also acquired the company&rsquo;s Racing Panel Fastener line, which was designed specifically for race vehicles and motorsport applications. Southco&rsquo;s Dzus Quarter-Turn Fastener line can be adapted to meet the needs of many diverse applications.<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/1dafdb459e064e6245e699611f024e23/dracing_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 300px; float: right; height: 188px" /></p>
  2810. <p>
  2811. Potts chose Southco <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7438">Dzus Lion Quarter-Turn Fasteners</a>, which were used to mount the seat to the frame of the car body. Two Quarter-Turns are located in the front of the seat, and two were installed in the back of the seat body, to secure the flange behind the shoulder area, so it would lay correctly against the frame. Dzus Quarter-Turns are secure, vibration resistant, and allow for quick installation and easy release, making them a good fit for the team&rsquo;s application requirements.</p>
  2812. <p>
  2813. Potts was pleased with the results and said it&rsquo;s all about motivation and managing the project successfully to completion. Students are responsible for everything from designing the car to raising the money and securing the supplies necessary to build it.</p>
  2814. <p>
  2815. &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re working on a project and you want to do something cool, it&rsquo;s up to you to make it happen,&rdquo; said Potts, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a good way to apply what you have learned in class to a real project.&rdquo;</p>
  2816. <p>
  2817. The team, which has 30 members this year, recruits entering UMN freshmen mechanical engineering and automotive majors annually. If it seems like a lot of work for a full time college student to take on, it is, but it&rsquo;s also a rewarding experience that&rsquo;s worth the hours they put into it.</p>
  2818. <p>
  2819. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/ec601513f4e353a428e174b405cd9ebc/fsae.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; float: left; height: 216px" /></p>
  2820. <p>
  2821. This year&rsquo;s car cost an estimated $70K to build, which included cash donations as well as donations of parts such as steel, aluminum, prototyping services and assembly parts needed to complete structural elements, such as the body and frame construction.</p>
  2822. <p>
  2823. &nbsp;</p>
  2824. <p>
  2825. Southco is proud to have helped the <a href="http://www.tc.umn.edu/~sae/">UMN FSAE&nbsp;team</a> reach the finish line with its donation. The car contended at the annual SAE Formula Competition at the National Michigan International Speedway in May.</p>
  2826. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2827. <cpdm:created>2012-07-16 16:58:23</cpdm:created>
  2828. <cpdm:published>2012-08-08 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2829. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2830. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2831. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/university-of-minnesota-fsae-team-chooses-southco-products-for-formula-one-racecar-design</cpdm:url>
  2832. </cpdm:post>
  2833. <cpdm:post id="456a31d5-7f28-4899-b2b7-e2012fc0477e">
  2834. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Latches ‘Set the Stage’ for 2012 Summer Olympics ]]></cpdm:title>
  2835. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2836. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/06beab65-25a4-4010-927f-1ec7b0b508ff/Image/c42d2be25e491656c8e8ef02c5c53341/flag_w320.jpeg" style="text-align: center; margin: 5px 6px; width: 254px; float: left; height: 179px" />With facilities and representation throughout the world, it&rsquo;s no surprise that Southco is a supporter of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games &ndash; but not how you might imagine.&nbsp;</p>
  2837. <p>
  2838. Authorized Southco Distributor <a href="http://www.biscoind.com/index.html">Bisco Industries</a> was contacted by a supplier of premium special event flooring who needed &nbsp;latches to secure temporary stage assemblies onsite at the London Olympic Park. And with the Olympics beginning in July, the supplier needed latches fast.&nbsp;</p>
  2839. <p>
  2840. &nbsp;</p>
  2841. <p>
  2842. Bisco worked directly with the supplier, who ultimately doubled the original order quantity as a result of Southco&rsquo;s competitive pricing, global presence and fast lead time. The supplier selected Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7425">R2 Concealed Butt-Joint Panel Fastening Latches</a>, which provide a tight connection when latched, enabling fast assembly and removal.&nbsp;</p>
  2843. <p style="text-align: center">
  2844. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/5c36e1617f7a0c0d6f4c3b1998d5232e/wc_70_l_w640.jpeg" style="width: 432px; height: 325px" /></p>
  2845. <p>
  2846. Southco&rsquo;s R2 Concealed Butt-Joint Panel Fastening Latches feature heavy-duty steel construction and mount behind or within the mating panels of an application for concealed operation. Available in two tool-actuated styles, these latches deliver exceptional strength and provide sufficient pull-up action to create a strong connection and seal, making them an ideal choice for mobile, removable assemblies like the supplier&rsquo;s stage application.</p>
  2847. <p>
  2848. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/06beab65-25a4-4010-927f-1ec7b0b508ff/Image/222e73129cd149f076fc39deb7f3261a/r2b_w640.jpeg" style="width: 126px; height: 130px" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/06beab65-25a4-4010-927f-1ec7b0b508ff/Image/fe701a0ee81a145dfe7bd70b19cf8f16/r2a_w640.jpeg" style="width: 145px; height: 127px" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/06beab65-25a4-4010-927f-1ec7b0b508ff/Image/61af6507cb6ea8d8fa19048859fffa68/r2c_w640.jpeg" style="width: 147px; height: 129px" /></p>
  2849. <p>
  2850. In addition to the R2, Southco offers a wide variety of draw latch solutions for light to heavy duty applications:</p>
  2851. <ul>
  2852. <li>
  2853. <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7333">Over Center Draw Latches</a> ensure secure closure despite vibration with a low-profile, surface-mounted design and tamper-resistant construction.</li>
  2854. </ul>
  2855. <ul>
  2856. <li>
  2857. <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7332">Pull Draw Latches</a> feature flexible latch handles that absorb and reduce vibration, and compensate for variations in mounting distances and alignment.</li>
  2858. </ul>
  2859. <ul>
  2860. <li>
  2861. <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7427">Rotary Action Draw Latches</a> are compact and constructed of metal for high-strength operation, providing safe engagement that prevents the latch from popping open accidentally.</li>
  2862. </ul>
  2863. <p>
  2864. Do you have an application and need parts fast? <a href="http://www.southco.com/contact/">Contact your Southco Key Account Manager</a>.</p>
  2865. <p>
  2866. &nbsp;</p>
  2867. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2868. <cpdm:created>2012-07-26 16:55:01</cpdm:created>
  2869. <cpdm:published>2012-07-27 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2870. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2871. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2872. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-latches-set-the-stage-for-2012-summer-olympics</cpdm:url>
  2873. <cpdm:comments>
  2874. <cpdm:comment id="db8d8382-01f3-42f4-a771-24e5bc31ba3b">
  2875. <cpdm:name><![CDATA[Rob]]></cpdm:name>
  2876. <cpdm:email>ratkinson@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  2877. <cpdm:submitted>2012-07-27 20:28:48</cpdm:submitted>
  2878. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  2879. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[I don't see any photos in this post, just broken links. Photos in other posts on the blog are showing up fine though.<br />
  2880. <br />
  2881. Rob<br />
  2882. Material Associate<br />
  2883. Southco, Concordville]]></cpdm:body>
  2884. </cpdm:comment>
  2885. </cpdm:comments>
  2886. </cpdm:post>
  2887. <cpdm:post id="211aad0d-86c1-4bfa-b802-1b1d908e62a5">
  2888. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Join Southco at AFCOM DCW and IBEX In October!]]></cpdm:title>
  2889. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2890. Southco is hitting the road in October&nbsp;to&nbsp;exhibit&nbsp;our access hardware solutions at two upcoming&nbsp;conferences: AFCOM Data Center World&nbsp;and the International Boatbuilders&#39; Exhibition.</p>
  2891. <p>
  2892. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/011f191f55f600d6238d23164d2fad34/dcw.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 216px; float: left; height: 96px" />Beginning Sept. 30 and through Oct. 3, Southco will exhibit in Booth 631 at Fall Data Center World Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Stop by to see our newly launched H3-EM Electronic Swinghandle with Integrated Proximity Reader in action. Representatives from Southco&#39;s Electronic Access Solutions (EAS) unit will also present a Product Information Session on Monday, Oct.1 entitled <em><a href="http://www.datacenterworld.com/fall2012/education/product-information-sessions/">Electronic Access Security at the Rack Level</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>
  2893. <p>
  2894. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/b1f9d484f4ef4754e89cd141ca509d02/ibex2012_galaxy_logo250.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 246px; float: right; height: 168px" /></p>
  2895. <p>
  2896. From Oct. 2-4, Southco will be exhibiting our Marine access hardware solutions at the IBEX Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Visit us in Booth 2524 to see what&#39;s new at&nbsp;Southco, including&nbsp;our entry into the 2012 IBEX Innovation Awards. Not attending this year? Learn more about Southco&#39;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=8002">Marine product offering</a>.</p>
  2897. <p>
  2898. Are you planning on attending? Tell us in the comments!</p>
  2899. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2900. <cpdm:created>2012-09-17 14:45:16</cpdm:created>
  2901. <cpdm:published>2012-09-19 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2902. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2903. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2904. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/join-southco-at-afcom-dcw-and-ibex-in-october</cpdm:url>
  2905. </cpdm:post>
  2906. <cpdm:post id="8d1ecd1c-8bb5-4f17-81d5-8c4d2100592f">
  2907. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Engineers Visit Local Middle School Robotics Camp ]]></cpdm:title>
  2908. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2909. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/1cee4faca3eaafcd4c28a8c8a43aa6bd/r4.jpg" style="margin: 7px; width: 194px; float: left; height: 297px" />As part of Southco&rsquo;s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) outreach, engineers from our corporate headquarters in Concordville, PA visited the neighboring Garnet Valley Middle School in August to provide their engineering insight to kids enrolled in the school&rsquo;s Robotics Camp.</p>
  2910. <p>
  2911. The camp, which is in its third year, is offered annually to 6-8<sup>th</sup> grade level students who are interested in learning how to design and program robots. Using LEGO&reg; Mindstorm Robotics Kits and software, campers are given the opportunity to build their own robot and program it to complete tasks, with the goal of participating in a robotics competition on the last day of camp.</p>
  2912. <p>
  2913. Southco engineers Christopher Waite, Zach Peters and Ron Magidson joined the camp for a few days to assist kids with a variety of tasks from building the robots to programming them. Using their engineering knowledge, they helped beginner-level campers learn the ins-and outs of the robotics kits and software, as well as expert-level &nbsp;kids who were learning to use Carnegie Mellon&#39;s robotC software to program virtual robots.</p>
  2914. <p>
  2915. &nbsp;</p>
  2916. <p>
  2917. The accompanying programming software, known as NXT, uses a detachable, computerized port which acts as the robot&rsquo;s &ldquo;brain.&rdquo; Once the students finished building their robots, they then connected their ports to a computer to program their robots to accomplish a variety of tasks.</p>
  2918. <p>
  2919. &nbsp;</p>
  2920. <p>
  2921. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/52e83f6cf00e532e6b122e06d14d5bc7/r2.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 388px; float: right; height: 379px" />In order to complete the tasks, the robots were outfitted with sensors during the building process, which react to light, sound and touch to control their movements and actions. These sensors allowed the students to program the desired direction of travel as well as control the power level and duration of operation and tasks to be completed, such as lifting and moving objects.</p>
  2922. <p>
  2923. Although it may sound complex, the robots and accompanying software are designed to make learning about robotics fun by simplifying programming language and incorporating the use of LEGOs, according to one of the camp&rsquo;s coaches, Carolyn Kunze.</p>
  2924. <p>
  2925. &ldquo;The software is user-friendly but they get the general logic of programming,&rdquo; said Kunze, who when not running the camp with co-coach Rebecca Brown, is also an 8th grade science teacher at the middle school.</p>
  2926. <p>
  2927. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f79814fa5604710027c6061b60e1a023/r1.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 241px; float: left; height: 218px" />Southco actively works with the Garnet Valley School District as well as other local schools in the area on STEM programs to promote future engineering careers and gives presentations to students throughout the school year. Southco is part of the Delaware Valley STEM Workforce, which is comprised of professionals in the engineering and technology fields, and works with schools and universities to develop more rigorous, standards-aligned math and science curricula to enhance the learning experience of students.</p>
  2928. <p>
  2929. Students exposed to STEM programs benefit through better prepared teachers, opportunities to learn more about rewarding careers in these fields and the ability to reinforce key learning concepts through hands-on activities and workshops.</p>
  2930. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2931. <cpdm:created>2012-09-20 15:31:21</cpdm:created>
  2932. <cpdm:published>2012-10-03 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2933. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2934. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2935. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-engineers-visit-local-middle-school-robotics-camp</cpdm:url>
  2936. </cpdm:post>
  2937. <cpdm:post id="2b9478bd-f731-4178-ab4e-041df18d74dd">
  2938. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Reduce the Risk of PC Board Damage With Surface Mount Technology (SMT) ]]></cpdm:title>
  2939. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2940. Southco is pleased to announce the introduction of its Surface Mount Technology (SMT) for Printed Circuit (PC) board assembly. This next generation fastening technique simplifies the installation of captive hardware to PC boards by eliminating additional mechanical assembly.<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/23c3251f4eeb206e3743291447bbd0bb/4c_sm_w640.jpeg" style="width: 300px; height: 141px; margin: 5px; float: right;" /></p>
  2941. <p>
  2942. The risk of damaging a high-value board when attaching captive hardware is a key concern for manufacturers in the telecommunications and networking industries. Improperly attaching the hardware can result in damage to the board and increased scrap rates.</p>
  2943. <p>
  2944. Southco&rsquo;s SMT allows our best-in-class captive hardware to be soldered directly to the PC board, eliminating the need for a secondary mechanical press to install captive screws after the reflow soldering process. Our complementary line of captive hardware is developed with a flange that allows the screw to sit on the board during the reflow process, enabling the solder to easily attach the screw while the board is in the oven.</p>
  2945. <p>
  2946. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9ff97f58fc76eaef6ec3290ff4957795/methods_w640.jpeg" style="width: 270px; height: 210px; margin: 5px 7px; float: left;" />As a result, the risks associated with production of high-value products can be diminished. Compared to traditional self-clinching, flare-in and PC board installation methods that require secondary mechanical assembly after the reflow process, Southco&rsquo;s SMT solution enables the attachment of captive hardware to be completed at the same time, improving first yield pass.</p>
  2947. <div>
  2948. <p>
  2949. Southco&rsquo;s SMT is available in tray as well as reel installation options. To learn more about the captive hardware compatible with this installation method, visit <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7340">Southco&rsquo;s Captive Screws page</a>.</p>
  2950. </div>
  2951. <p>
  2952. &nbsp;</p>
  2953. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2954. <cpdm:created>2012-09-27 19:37:46</cpdm:created>
  2955. <cpdm:published>2013-01-16 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2956. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2957. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2958. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/reduce-the-risk-of-pc-board-damage-with-surface-mount-technology-smt</cpdm:url>
  2959. </cpdm:post>
  2960. <cpdm:post id="a3b231a2-6a17-4e77-bf97-b54761d23b76">
  2961. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Best Practices for Electronic Lock Selection for Self-Service Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  2962. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2963. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9681f798124e2acbe68e03fe387599cd/postal_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 265px; float: right; height: 186px" />When designing physical security into self-service enclosures, such as kiosks and pick-up drop-off points (PUDOs), manufacturers must anticipate the need for modern methods of access control and incorporate new technology, while still providing a solution that is cost-effective and meets the requirements of the growing self-service industry. Incorporating appropriate electromechanical locks or latches (EMLs) into enclosure design is key to delivering an end product that delivers convenience, usability and above all, security.</p>
  2964. <p>
  2965. &nbsp;</p>
  2966. <p>
  2967. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/87f633f5130753996d5e4d4bb134f348/r4_em_ss_.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 222px; float: left; height: 171px" />Electronic access solutions can provide an indisputable access audit trail for all doors and cabinets secured electronically. Each time an EML-equipped enclosure opens or closes, a signal is sent to a monitoring system to confirm and log access. Depending on the configuration, EAS reporting can provide more than just simple open/closed information &ndash; such as which credential activated the EML and the time and duration of the event.</p>
  2968. <p>
  2969. An EML serves as both a locking/latching device and intelligent access interface, offering a full range of retrofit options to update the security and control of existing enclosures for a variety of applications.</p>
  2970. <p>
  2971. When selecting a quality EML, such as Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7619">R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch</a>, it should meet the following criteria:</p>
  2972. <ul>
  2973. <li>
  2974. Integrates easily with existing control systems</li>
  2975. <li>
  2976. Provides simple and versatile installation options</li>
  2977. <li>
  2978. Includes a mechanical override feature for manual release in case of power failure</li>
  2979. <li>
  2980. Provides optimum efficiency to provide high mechanical strength while using minimum electrical power</li>
  2981. <li>
  2982. Incorporates built in intelligence to allow for various locking features such as delayed re-locking, lock status monitoring, sleep mode and communication with external systems</li>
  2983. </ul>
  2984. ]]></cpdm:body>
  2985. <cpdm:created>2012-10-17 13:21:42</cpdm:created>
  2986. <cpdm:published>2012-10-17 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  2987. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  2988. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  2989. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/best-practices-for-electronic-lock-selection-for-self-service-applications</cpdm:url>
  2990. </cpdm:post>
  2991. <cpdm:post id="e2634ff7-bea6-425e-a30c-af6b38e874b7">
  2992. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Join Southco at Bauma China In November]]></cpdm:title>
  2993. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  2994. Southco will be exhibiting at Bauma China 2012 &ndash; the International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Construction Vehicles and Equipment. Join us at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai from Nov. 27-30.</p>
  2995. <p>
  2996. Stop by our exhibit in Hall N4, Stand 213 to experience our interior, chassis and cab entry solutions for the off-highway industry, including:</p>
  2997. <ul>
  2998. <li>
  2999. Compression latches</li>
  3000. <li>
  3001. Rotary latches and actuators</li>
  3002. <li>
  3003. Positioning arms and mounts</li>
  3004. <li>
  3005. Electronic Access Solutions</li>
  3006. </ul>
  3007. <p>
  3008. Bauma is a great opportunity to learn more about the latest technology for construction sites, extraction and processing of raw materials, production of building materials and components and services for the off-highway industry. Not attending this year? <a href="http://lp.southco.com/OffHighwayLP.html?LeadSource=Public%20Relations&amp;LeadSourceDescription=blog_BaumaPromo-1112">Download our Off-Highway Design Guide</a>.</p>
  3009. <p>
  3010. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f66ba02562ff53fd2e0888e4c83a079d/bauma_horizontal_banner_en_final_w640.jpeg" style="width: 640px; height: 125px; " /></p>
  3011. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3012. <cpdm:created>2012-11-01 19:02:47</cpdm:created>
  3013. <cpdm:published>2012-11-07 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3014. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3015. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3016. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/join-southco-at-bauma-china-in-november</cpdm:url>
  3017. </cpdm:post>
  3018. <cpdm:post id="f49a7fbb-f507-4d26-a1e0-0245d5549083">
  3019. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Replacing Mechanical Locks with Electronic Locks on Medical Enclosures]]></cpdm:title>
  3020. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3021. In today&rsquo;s healthcare facilities, security threats extend beyond physical building security and down to medical enclosures such as cabinets, dispensing carts and charting stations, and portable diagnostic equipment. For many healthcare facility managers, monitoring security at the enclosure or cart level can be a challenge. In response, many are looking to the manufacturers of these enclosures for solutions.</p>
  3022. <p>
  3023. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/559104c379864ff3923641cd7cb5b8a6/filegirl_w640.jpeg" style="width: 350px; height: 271px; float: left; margin: 5px 7px; " /></p>
  3024. <p>
  3025. Managing&nbsp;mechanical keys can be complicated,&nbsp;inconvenient and costly. Physical keys need to be carefully managed to ensure they are in the hands of authorized personnel only. These keys must also be retrieved and reassigned when employees change shifts or are no longer employed by the institution, which can be a challenge in larger facilities. By replacing traditional key locks with electromechanical locks and latches, access to medical equipment can be easily modernized to meet changing security needs.</p>
  3026. <p>
  3027. &nbsp;</p>
  3028. <p>
  3029. Electronic locks, like Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7655">R4-EM Light Duty Electronic Rotary Latch</a> for example, allow medical equipment manufacturers to build intelligent security into their products. When used as part of an electronic access system (EAS), the electronic lock creates an electronic signature that can provide user authentication, audit trail and reporting capabilities, simplifying security administration and eliminating opportunities for physical security breaches.</p>
  3030. <p>
  3031. Southco&rsquo;s R4-EM provides a simple, versatile solution for a variety of medical applications. This compact latch is mounted inside the equipment, using minimal interior space and allowing a clean exterior appearance that protects it from vandalism. The R4-EM can be easily wired directly to a wide variety of access-control devices, such as the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7651">EA-KC2 Membrane Keypad Access Controller</a>, the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7657">EA-R02 RF Wireless Remote Controller</a> and the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7656">EA-P3 Proximity&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7656">Reader</a> for a complete remotely managed access system.</p>
  3032. <p>
  3033. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/f592b4fc5ba339319273f2a2e60b8989/medcart2_w640.jpeg" style="width: 200px; height: 344px; float: right; margin: 5px; " /></p>
  3034. <p>
  3035. Electronic access solutions are ideal for medical&nbsp;equipment as they can provide an indisputable access audit trail for all doors and cabinets secured electronically. Each time an&nbsp;enclosure equipped with an electronic latch opens or closes, a signal is sent to a monitoring system to confirm and log access. Depending on the configuration, EAS reporting can provide more than just simple open/closed information &ndash; such as which credential activated the electronic lock and the time and duration of the event.</p>
  3036. <p>
  3037. &nbsp;</p>
  3038. <p>
  3039. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/667e9c1f49682286261302ce537f49ba/usb_clear.jpg" style="width: 230px; height: 150px; margin: 5px; float: left;" /></p>
  3040. <div>
  3041. <p>
  3042. &nbsp;</p>
  3043. <p>
  3044. Using an electronic latch with all or part of an existing security system can be easily integrated by medical enclosure manufacturers as well as healthcare facilities considering new or replacement equipment, as it provides the operator with real-time monitoring and an audit trail of all access activity. EAS also allows access records to be viewed remotely, so monitoring personnel need not be onsite.&nbsp;</p>
  3045. <p>
  3046. &nbsp;</p>
  3047. </div>
  3048. <p>
  3049. &nbsp;</p>
  3050. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3051. <cpdm:created>2012-11-01 19:12:13</cpdm:created>
  3052. <cpdm:published>2012-12-05 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3053. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3054. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3055. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/replacing-mechanical-locks-with-electronic-locks-on-medical-enclosures</cpdm:url>
  3056. </cpdm:post>
  3057. <cpdm:post id="72099e85-fa4e-4d49-a03b-47c01532899e">
  3058. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Positioning Hinge Selection in Medical Equipment Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  3059. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3060. Constant torque hinges use engineered friction systems to provide continuous resistance against motion. Southco&rsquo;s line of <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=8162">constant torque hinges</a> is ideal for applications where it is necessary to easily hold open and position doors and panels, such as wall charting stations, medical cabinets and diagnostic equipment with heavy lids.<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/fe5260c4088357e851b7af1e0e094259/diagnostic_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 250px; float: right; height: 191px" /></p>
  3061. <p>
  3062. When opening a wall charting station housing a computer, for example, it is important that the panel remain in the appropriate position, without the need for continuous readjustment. Constant torque hinges provide resistance throughout the entire range of motion, keeping the panel of a wall charting station from falling down once it has been opened or allowing the user to easily adjust the angle of a keyboarding rest.</p>
  3063. <p>
  3064. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/d67d2def1bd5265d65866171f57e4e78/constant.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 150px; float: left; height: 150px" /></p>
  3065. <p>
  3066. There are a variety of hinge options that can improve ergonomics in medical equipment applications. Southco&rsquo;s counterbalanced hinges for example, allow the weight of an object such as a heavy tray or lid, to fold up easily. Counterbalanced hinges provide lift assistance, making it possible to raise heavy objects with minimal force, reducing back and shoulder strain. These hinges feature improved, long-term reliability when compared with gas struts, which may fail due to a loss of pressure.</p>
  3067. <p>
  3068. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/72adc0af78a901b797cc09e78db580b9/detent.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 240px; float: right; height: 140px" /></p>
  3069. <p>
  3070. Another positioning option is <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7632">detent hinges</a>, which provide positive retention at predetermined points,&nbsp;such as fully open or fully closed positions. This allows healthcare workers to hold panels open, providing rapid access while keeping both hands free.</p>
  3071. <p>
  3072. When selecting a hinge for a medical equipment application, designers should choose hinges that offer operating efforts that can be customized to the demands of the application, thus making the object easier to position. Additionally, because medical equipment is often used by healthcare facilities for years, hinging technology should never require adjustment for the life of the equipment.</p>
  3073. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3074. <cpdm:created>2012-11-02 12:36:46</cpdm:created>
  3075. <cpdm:published>2012-11-21 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3076. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3077. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3078. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/positioning-hinge-selection-in-medical-equipment-applications</cpdm:url>
  3079. </cpdm:post>
  3080. <cpdm:post id="f8e6a65a-4c62-4508-a2f8-8f08e1237b93">
  3081. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Best Practices for Display Mounting Selection for Medical Equipment]]></cpdm:title>
  3082. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3083. For healthcare professionals working with medical equipment each day, such as diagnostic&nbsp;equipment and mobile carts with monitors attached, it is essential that arms or mounts support the display screen when it must remain stationary,&nbsp;yet be easy to move when repositioning is required.</p>
  3084. <p>
  3085. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/b8f007c1a79d4068757671d15172f09f/healthcare_worker.jpg" style="width: 205px; height: 105px; float: right; margin: 5px 4px;" /></p>
  3086. <div>
  3087. Southco&rsquo;s constant torque positioning technology, which offers a full range of motion, can hold a display screen in a precise position without any set screws, torque handles or other user intervention. The amount of force needed to reposition the display can be predetermined by the design engineer.<br />
  3088. <div>
  3089. <p>
  3090. Tilt-only display mounts, such as Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7653">T Series</a>, enable effortless display positioning and infinite angle options in medical equipment applications only requiring tilt functionality, such as a monitor mounted on a dispensing cart. In applications where more adjustment is necessary, the <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7646">K Series</a> offers tilt and swivel capabilities and tilts both vertically and horizontally, with a range of motion stops for added flexibility.</p>
  3091. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/4d480baf2de8056ef3bdc83cf65ddb92/black_whitearms.jpg" style="width: 210px; height: 166px; float: left; margin: 5px;" />
  3092. <p>
  3093. &nbsp;</p>
  3094. <p>
  3095. For more unlimited mobility, articulating arms, like Southco&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southco.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7641">A Series</a> offer a full range of motion and&nbsp;can be moved in multiple directions and angles, allowing them to be easily pulled toward or pushed away from the operator as needed. These arms can be adjusted to hold heavy displays and alleviate the force necessary to move them &ndash; allowing the displays to be repositioned with minimal effort. The flexibility of an articulating arm also allows it to be folded close to the wall, reducing the amount of&nbsp;space needed for equipment use and storage.</p>
  3096. <div>
  3097. <p>
  3098. &nbsp;</p>
  3099. <p>
  3100. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/01e03e132e91b480195c34803c348562/screen_tilt.jpg" style="width: 194px; height: 140px; float: right;" /></p>
  3101. <p>
  3102. &nbsp;</p>
  3103. <p>
  3104. When selecting positioning hardware for medical equipment applications, it is important to select mounts and arms with the following characteristics:</p>
  3105. <div>
  3106. <ul>
  3107. <li>
  3108. Eliminates the need for service or adjustment during&nbsp;operation with a reliable, repeatable cycle life</li>
  3109. <li>
  3110. Improves cleanability and exterior appearance through enclosed counterbalance design</li>
  3111. <li>
  3112. Enables effortless display positioning and infinite angle options with precision tilt</li>
  3113. <li>
  3114. Withstands vibration and bumping that may result during operation and transportation</li>
  3115. <li>
  3116. Prevents the slow fading from a user-set position to an undesirable position, known as drift</li>
  3117. </ul>
  3118. </div>
  3119. </div>
  3120. </div>
  3121. </div>
  3122. <p>
  3123. &nbsp;</p>
  3124. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3125. <cpdm:created>2012-11-02 14:33:19</cpdm:created>
  3126. <cpdm:published>2012-01-02 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3127. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3128. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3129. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/best-practices-for-display-mounting-selection-for-medical-equipment</cpdm:url>
  3130. </cpdm:post>
  3131. <cpdm:post id="4f7a121b-899b-487e-87cf-ae1cf6d3dec8">
  3132. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Quick-Access Latching That Beats the Heat]]></cpdm:title>
  3133. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3134. Southco&rsquo;s popular DZUS<sup>&reg;</sup> D8 Panex Quarter-Turn Fastener line&nbsp;has recently expanded with the&nbsp;introduction to of a new stainless steel verison. The stainless steel D8 delivers the same quick access and fast installation as&nbsp;the standard D8, but enables dependable fastening in harsh environments where heat and corrosion may affect operation.</p>
  3135. <p>
  3136. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/de02d2c601a804a0a6cca72984f7c4da/exhaust.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 300px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /></p>
  3137. <div>
  3138. The durable, formed stainless steel construction of the new D8 provides enhanced total material&nbsp;thickness (TMT) tolerance for robust fastening. The oriented cam to head feature provides visual lock/unlock status and improves visual appearance and alignment of multiple fasteners in the same application.<br />
  3139. <div>
  3140. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/18bae33d69a065b8e9c3813d2e69d3c0/d8_ss.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 163px; float: right; margin: 5px;" />
  3141. <p>
  3142. Available with slotted, hex and Phillips recessed head styles, and complementary mini clip-on and rivet-on receptacle styles, the stainless steel DZUS<sup>&reg;</sup> D8 is compatible with a variety of installation needs and is well-suited to automotive, truck, HVAC, and outdoor signage and lighting applications.</p>
  3143. <p>
  3144. To learn more about our complete line of DZUS<sup>&reg;</sup> Quarter-Turn Fasteners, visit <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/product/hierarchy.html?hid=7345&amp;filters=">Southco&rsquo;s Quarter-Turn Fasteners page</a>.</p>
  3145. </div>
  3146. <p>
  3147. &nbsp;</p>
  3148. </div>
  3149. <p>
  3150. &nbsp;</p>
  3151. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3152. <cpdm:created>2012-11-14 16:30:02</cpdm:created>
  3153. <cpdm:published>2013-02-27 16:23:00</cpdm:published>
  3154. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3155. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3156. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/quick-access-latching-that-beats-the-heat</cpdm:url>
  3157. </cpdm:post>
  3158. <cpdm:post id="2184e2a2-95eb-4948-8b6d-738deba76057">
  3159. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Multi-Point Flat Rod Latching: An Enclosure’s Best Defense]]></cpdm:title>
  3160. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3161. Southco&rsquo;s new A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System is an economical, complete solution that offers increased strength when controlling multiple latching points from a single point of operation. The flat design provides an economical solution with added strength in enclosure applications with longer doors and panels, eliminating flexing, pry points and rattle.</p>
  3162. <p>
  3163. The A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System can be easily integrated into new designs or retrofitted to secure enclosure doors and panels for a wide range of industries, including servers, data storage and industrial machinery. With its zinc nickel-plated finish, the system also complies with Telcordia<sup>&reg;</sup> requirements for salt spray resistance.</p>
  3164. <p>
  3165. The A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System offers a full range of rod lengths and additional components that are adaptable to a variety of Southco panel latches, while providing simple installation and an array of operating styles.</p>
  3166. <p>
  3167. To learn more about our complete line of multi-point latching systems, please visit Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7321">Multi-Point Latching product page</a>.</p>
  3168. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3169. <cpdm:created>2012-11-14 19:43:08</cpdm:created>
  3170. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  3171. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3172. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  3173. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/multi-point-flat-rod-latching-an-enclosures-best-defense</cpdm:url>
  3174. </cpdm:post>
  3175. <cpdm:post id="3bc85f8a-f618-49c7-b4b4-ab35fa193a0a">
  3176. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Is Your Captive Hardware ATCA-Compliant?]]></cpdm:title>
  3177. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3178. For engineers designing telecommunications and industrial computing applications, the <a href="http://www.picmg.org/">PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG)</a> is the leading resource for design specifications and compliance information.</p>
  3179. <p>
  3180. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/53f52f0d329c57111407f914687ffacd/atca_20pr_20lo.jpg" style="width: 368px; height: 200px; margin: 5px; float: right;" /></p>
  3181. <p>
  3182. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/b75a5c43d468ff9b434bbad31c60f94e/picmg_logo.jpg" style="width: 130px; height: 113px; margin: 5px; float: left;" />Southco, the leader in ATCA access hardware, is the only ATCA supplier to offer a captive screw class compliant with the current PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) ATCA R3.0 standard. The ATCA-compliant 47 Captive Screw meets float and material requirements as designated by PICMG.</p>
  3183. <p>
  3184. Southco has expertise in the functionality, flexibility, ergonomics and technicalities of PICMG standards affecting AdvancedTCA<sup>&reg;</sup> (ATCA), AdvancedMC&trade; (AMC), and MicroTCA<sup>&reg;</sup>. As a member of PICMG, Southco has developed a full range of products including ejector handles, alignment/keying blocks and captive retention screws in accordance with their standards.</p>
  3185. <p>
  3186. Visit <a href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/atca/">Southco&rsquo;s xTCA Solutions page</a> to learn more about our ATCA-compliant access hardware.</p>
  3187. <p>
  3188. &nbsp;</p>
  3189. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3190. <cpdm:created>2013-01-17 21:14:57</cpdm:created>
  3191. <cpdm:published>2013-01-30 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3192. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3193. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3194. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/is-your-captive-hardware-atca-compliant</cpdm:url>
  3195. </cpdm:post>
  3196. <cpdm:post id="a2143ab7-6531-4a8f-a175-9de822780cd9">
  3197. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[A Little Bumper Goes a Long Way]]></cpdm:title>
  3198. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3199. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/ea56277353ea148d726c7c5bea7a5ce9/railway.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 249px; margin: 5px; float: left;" /></p>
  3200. <p>
  3201. The newest versions of the C2 Lever Latch and C5 Sealed Lever Latch are now available with an optional rubber bumper accessory that delivers more consistent compression and compensates for misalignment, reducing wear, vibration and noise.</p>
  3202. <p>
  3203. C2 and C5 latches are industry-proven solutions that have tested exceptionally well in harsh working conditions. The sealed C5 protects and water and dust, and locking options on both models enable added security. Added design options include the C5 in chrome and the C2 with two new head styles: 7 mm square and railway.</p>
  3204. <div>
  3205. &nbsp;</div>
  3206. <div>
  3207. The enhanced versions of our C2 and C5 latches are ideal for new installations as well as retrofits, and are easy to install, easy to operate and feature a low profile that provides a sleek appearance to meet the needs of many different applications.</div>
  3208. <div>
  3209. <p>
  3210. To learn more about Southco&#39;s line of C2 and C5 Lever Latches visit our <a href="http://www.southco.com/product/default.aspx?hid=7326">Lever Latches product page</a>.</p>
  3211. <p>
  3212. &nbsp;</p>
  3213. <p>
  3214. &nbsp;</p>
  3215. <p>
  3216. &nbsp;</p>
  3217. </div>
  3218. <div>
  3219. <p style="text-align: center;">
  3220. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/4069f283cd332d5b3e130173877f9c81/c5_rubber_w640.jpeg" style="width: 200px; height: 136px;" />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/b4a2688b79aaa10f8d3ee4331d156692/rubber_bumpers_w640.jpeg" style="width: 125px; height: 105px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/a6b2c27b7974f71ec15c33906e058fa9/c2_rubber_w640.jpeg" style="width: 200px; height: 140px;" /></p>
  3221. <div style="text-align: center;">
  3222. &nbsp;</div>
  3223. <div style="text-align: center;">
  3224. &nbsp;</div>
  3225. <div style="text-align: center;">
  3226. &nbsp;</div>
  3227. <div style="text-align: center;">
  3228. &nbsp;</div>
  3229. <div>
  3230. &nbsp;</div>
  3231. </div>
  3232. <p>
  3233. &nbsp;</p>
  3234. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3235. <cpdm:created>2013-01-17 21:26:59</cpdm:created>
  3236. <cpdm:published>2013-03-13 13:13:37</cpdm:published>
  3237. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3238. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3239. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/a-little-bumper-goes-a-long-way</cpdm:url>
  3240. </cpdm:post>
  3241. <cpdm:post id="387f5fbe-190f-4d2a-ab5b-471f04346942">
  3242. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Multi-Point Flat Rod Latching: An Enclosure’s Best Defense]]></cpdm:title>
  3243. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3244. &nbsp;</p>
  3245. <p>
  3246. Southco&rsquo;s new A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System is an economical, complete solution that offers increased strength when controlling multiple latching points from a single point of operation. The flat design provides an economical solution with added strength in enclosure applications with longer doors and panels, eliminating flexing, pry points and rattle.</p>
  3247. <p>
  3248. The A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System can be easily integrated into new designs or retrofitted to secure enclosure doors and panels for a wide range of industries, including servers, data storage and industrial machinery. With its zinc nickel-plated finish, the system also complies with Telcordia<sup>&reg;</sup> requirements for salt spray resistance.</p>
  3249. <p>
  3250. The A5 Multi-Point Flat Rod System offers a full range of rod lengths and additional components that are adaptable to a variety of Southco panel latches, while providing simple installation and an array of operating styles.</p>
  3251. <p>
  3252. To learn more about our complete line of multi-point latching systems, please visit <u>Southco&rsquo;s Multi-Point Latching product page</u>.</p>
  3253. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3254. <cpdm:created>2013-01-17 21:27:52</cpdm:created>
  3255. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  3256. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3257. <cpdm:status>deleted</cpdm:status>
  3258. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/multi-point-flat-rod-latching-an-enclosures-best-defense-v2</cpdm:url>
  3259. </cpdm:post>
  3260. <cpdm:post id="64aba4f6-95a6-421b-8a94-c0c62a0ae7ea">
  3261. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Design Compliance in Off-Highway Access Hardware Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  3262. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3263. &nbsp;</p>
  3264. <p>
  3265. Off-highway OEMs face many challenges in meeting regionalized regulations in the global manufacturing environment. Requirements within the global off-highway sector for instance, dictate standards for materials used in the production of component parts, such as metals and chemicals. When specifying access control hardware for an application, engineers must design accordingly to meet these standards, while still providing optimum functionality.</p>
  3266. <p>
  3267. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/da8d169a3809e64ca3a20f9a6b1b3480/off_hwy_design_compliance_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 450px; height: 300px;" />In anticipation to changes to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive 2011/65/EU, which is scheduled for review by the European Union (EU) in 2016, manufacturers and suppliers who export&nbsp; to the European Union as well as around the world are exhausting products that contain lead. In response, engineers must ensure that their designs contain components that are free of these materials.</p>
  3268. <p>
  3269. Another EU-mandated requirement is compliance with REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals). Regulation No. 1907/2006 establishes specific duties and obligations on companies in the European Union that manufacture or import chemical substances on their own, in preparations, or in articles. Because a part has the potential to be recycled from one vehicle to another, manufacturers of off-highway equipment must ensure that their global suppliers are compliant with REACH to protect future end users as well.</p>
  3270. <p>
  3271. North American Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for safety and security are acknowledged globally as a leading influence for off-highway vehicle manufacturing. FMVSS dictates everything from materials used to operating temperatures and crash sustainability in the production of vehicle parts. Because many off-highway OEMs produce vehicles in locations around the world, components designed into applications must be consistent across regions in order to maintain compliance with FMVSS.</p>
  3272. <p>
  3273. To ensure the global accessibility of their products, off-highway equipment manufacturers must choose parts that perform against even the most stringent requirements. Southco&rsquo;s access hardware solutions are designed with compliance in mind, and meet the needs of engineers around the world who must design according to these standards. For more information about Southco&#39;s off-highway capabilities, visit our <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/support/default.html">compliance library</a>.</p>
  3274. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3275. <cpdm:created>2013-02-12 19:42:33</cpdm:created>
  3276. <cpdm:published>2013-02-13 14:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3277. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3278. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3279. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/design-compliance-in-off-highway-access-hardware-applications</cpdm:url>
  3280. </cpdm:post>
  3281. <cpdm:post id="ad6c5e48-6db3-4295-8a81-37ba3a4fe4c0">
  3282. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Joins Philadelphia University Evening Of Innovation Sponsors]]></cpdm:title>
  3283. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3284. &nbsp;</p>
  3285. <p>
  3286. Southco, Inc., a global leader in engineered access solutions has joined the list of sponsors for the annual Philadelphia University Evening of Innovation, which will take place on April 27.</p>
  3287. <p>
  3288. The Evening of Innovation celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of Philadelphia University students and their ability to apply their education experience to create real-world products that demonstrate innovative thinking in design, engineering and commerce.</p>
  3289. <p>
  3290. &ldquo;We are proud to support Philadelphia University&rsquo;s talented young minds of tomorrow with our contribution to this year&rsquo;s Evening of Innovation,&rdquo; said Southco President and CEO Brian M. McNeill. &ldquo;Like Philadelphia University, Southco is committed to cultivating future design and engineering talent through educational outreach and support.&rdquo;</p>
  3291. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3292. <cpdm:created>2013-04-01 17:52:00</cpdm:created>
  3293. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  3294. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3295. <cpdm:status>draft</cpdm:status>
  3296. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-joins-philadelphia-university-evening-of-innovation-sponsors</cpdm:url>
  3297. </cpdm:post>
  3298. <cpdm:post id="9cd717c3-56a1-4279-93f7-a0b848803e57">
  3299. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Awarded Boeing Silver Performance Award for 2012]]></cpdm:title>
  3300. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3301. &nbsp;</p>
  3302. <p>
  3303. Southco is pleased to announce that we have been chosen as a recipient of a 2012 Boeing Performance Excellence Award, which is issued annually by the Boeing Company to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance.</p>
  3304. <p>
  3305. The Boeing Company awards silver level recognition to companies demonstrating their dedication to the high performance standards necessary to meet customer expectations and remain competitive in the global economy. Southco maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012.</p>
  3306. <p>
  3307. This year, Boeing recognized 594 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award. Southco is one of only 441 suppliers to receive the Silver level of recognition.</p>
  3308. <p>
  3309. &ldquo;We are honored to be recognized as one of Boeing&rsquo;s top suppliers,&rdquo; said Steve Potter, General Manager for Southco&rsquo;s Transportation Unit for the Americas. &ldquo;This award is a reflection of the high quality access hardware solutions, innovative technology and exemplary service we provide to all of our customers.&rdquo;</p>
  3310. <p>
  3311. <a href="http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/doingbiz/supplier_portal/bpea.html">Learn more about the the Boeing Performance Excellence Award</a></p>
  3312. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3313. <cpdm:created>2013-04-01 17:53:40</cpdm:created>
  3314. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  3315. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3316. <cpdm:status>deleted</cpdm:status>
  3317. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-awarded-boeing-silver-performance-award-for-2012</cpdm:url>
  3318. </cpdm:post>
  3319. <cpdm:post id="d0dd64a3-021e-4b73-99be-5a1c7d1162bf">
  3320. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Best Practices for Display Mount Selection In Off-Highway Vehicle Cab Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  3321. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3322. &nbsp;</p>
  3323. <p>
  3324. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/819975e955b6e4cb1af18e7fcc4c8498/cabinterior.jpg" style="float: left; width: 403px; height: 180px; margin: 5px;" /></p>
  3325. <p>
  3326. &nbsp;</p>
  3327. <p>
  3328. Advancements in electronics are leading the way in off-highway equipment applications as manufacturers incorporate these new features into their designs to accommodate operator preferences. With the increasing use of touchscreen technology to monitor and control vehicle systems, off-highway equipment manufacturers are outfitting vehicles with display mounts that allow for greater control of the LCD screen.</p>
  3329. <p>
  3330. &nbsp;</p>
  3331. <p>
  3332. &nbsp;</p>
  3333. <p>
  3334. &nbsp;</p>
  3335. <p>
  3336. &nbsp;</p>
  3337. <p>
  3338. When choosing an LCD screen display mount, it is essential that the mount meet the following criteria:</p>
  3339. <p>
  3340. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/c828da83246a90d7e83da15cac663e5d/avd30b.jpg" style="width: 277px; height: 251px; float: right;" /></p>
  3341. <ul>
  3342. <li>
  3343. Position control solutions chosen for off-highway applications should be robust in their construction, and able to withstand vibration and bumping that may result during&nbsp;operation and transportation.</li>
  3344. <li>
  3345. To accommodate operator preference, it is essential that a display mount support the screen or monitor when it must remain stationary, yet be easy to move when repositioning is required.</li>
  3346. <li>
  3347. Display mounts should offer a full range of motion, easily allowing the operator to hold a screen in a precise position without any set screws, torque handles or other user&nbsp;intervention.</li>
  3348. <li>
  3349. When specifying display mounts into off-highway designs, it is important to select components capable of a reliable, repeatable cycle life that outlasts the lifetime of the vehicle.</li>
  3350. </ul>
  3351. <ul>
  3352. <li>
  3353. Mounts should be designed to&nbsp; prevent the slow fading from a user-set position to an undesirable position, known as drift, eliminating the need for service or adjustment.</li>
  3354. </ul>
  3355. <p>
  3356. &nbsp;</p>
  3357. <p>
  3358. Southco offers a full range of display mounting options for Off-Highway equipment. The tilt-only functionality of the <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/av">T Series</a> display mount, for instance, enables effortless display positioning and infinite angle options in off-highway equipment applications.</p>
  3359. <p>
  3360. In applications requiring more adjustment, Southco also offers a tilt and swivel mount that tilts both vertically and horizontally, with a range of motion stops for added flexibility. The positioning capabilities of the <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/av-k">K Series</a> allow the screen to be tilted in different directions to suit the height differences of multiple operators who may use the same vehicle.</p>
  3361. <p>
  3362. &nbsp;</p>
  3363. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3364. <cpdm:created>2013-04-01 18:47:27</cpdm:created>
  3365. <cpdm:published>2013-04-01 20:50:31</cpdm:published>
  3366. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3367. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3368. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/best-practices-for-display-mount-selection-in-off-highway-vehicle-cab-applications</cpdm:url>
  3369. </cpdm:post>
  3370. <cpdm:post id="2415274c-2149-4d6b-8b35-8fec4cc1347d">
  3371. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Best Practices for Automotive Glove Box Latch Design]]></cpdm:title>
  3372. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3373. &nbsp;</p>
  3374. <p>
  3375. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/930015875671bbe111e12ca60fe4e1aa/console.jpg" style="margin: 5px 17px; width: 241px; float: left; height: 369px;" />When designing for a glove box latching application, automotive manufacturers must often accommodate a wide variety of mounting and actuation options to meet changing interior styling. For design engineers, it is essential to specify new hardware into glove box latching applications that keeps the cost of materials and production down, while still providing a reliable, proven solution that meets industry performance requirements and expectations. Glove box latching solutions should meet the following criteria:</p>
  3376. <p>
  3377. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/3c35063b47bb32aea5368ed644bcc456/gblpaddle.jpg" style="margin: 5px; width: 210px; float: right; height: 190px;" /></p>
  3378. <div>
  3379. <ul>
  3380. <li>
  3381. Well-balanced design that not only meets end user preferences for usability, but automotive safety standards and requirements as well.</li>
  3382. </ul>
  3383. <div>
  3384. <div>
  3385. <ul>
  3386. <li>
  3387. Parts within the glove box assembly must be fully serviceable to prevent costly repairs, such as the replacement of the entire glove box door.</li>
  3388. <li>
  3389. Mechanisms must be compatible with a wide range of paddle styles, such as rotational pull paddles and push button options to support future vehicle design refreshes.</li>
  3390. <li>
  3391. Glove box latching solutions must be economical and readily available to match the demand from automotive OEMS.</li>
  3392. </ul>
  3393. <p>
  3394. Southco&rsquo;s Single Point Rotary Latch is a foundation product for secure, single point latching and provides an economical option for glove box latching applications. The Single Point Rotary Latch is suitable for OEM glove box applications and meets the basic requirements of flexibility in changing paddle design and geometry. Additionally, the Single Point Rotary Latch acts a complementary mechanism to applications that have more demanding requirements as well.</p>
  3395. <p>
  3396. With the Single Point Rotary Latch, there is no need to reinvent a new glove box latching solution for each application, saving design, development, tooling and validation costs. The mechanism in Southco&rsquo;s Single Point Rotary Latch acts as foundation platform, enabling automotive manufacturers to easily adapt to design changes and trends in the industry. With its simple mounting and panel preparation, this versatile product can also be used in center console and storage panel latching applications within the vehicle as well.</p>
  3397. <p>
  3398. To learn more about Southco&rsquo;s automotive glove box latching solutions, contact your <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/company/contact-americas.html?location=US">local sales representative</a>.</p>
  3399. <p>
  3400. &nbsp;</p>
  3401. <p>
  3402. &nbsp;</p>
  3403. <p>
  3404. &nbsp;</p>
  3405. </div>
  3406. <p>
  3407. &nbsp;</p>
  3408. </div>
  3409. <p>
  3410. &nbsp;</p>
  3411. </div>
  3412. <p>
  3413. &nbsp;</p>
  3414. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3415. <cpdm:created>2013-04-15 13:13:10</cpdm:created>
  3416. <cpdm:published>2013-04-17 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3417. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3418. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3419. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/best-practices-for-automotive-glove-box-latch-design</cpdm:url>
  3420. </cpdm:post>
  3421. <cpdm:post id="856a3cce-a607-4cab-b9df-ff999b3b1574">
  3422. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Twice As Much Torque to Lift and Position Heavier Items with Ease]]></cpdm:title>
  3423. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3424. <br />
  3425. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/3ec427455b872d04beea5b2d430ebdcf/e6_standard_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px 8px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 175px;" />Southco&rsquo;s new E6-600 Constant Torque Position Control Hinge features increased holding power and lightweight aluminum construction. The E6-600&nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/893dbe811eaf1a730090cb056af0c004/pos1.jpg" style="width: 283px; height: 242px; float: right;" /></p>
  3426. <p>
  3427. Constant Torque Position Control Hinge allows the user to hold a door or panel securely at any desired angle, and delivers twice as much torque to support larger, heavier items.</p>
  3428. <p>
  3429. E6 class positioning hinges provide constant resistance throughout the entire range of motion and deliver reliable positioning and consistent operating efforts in applications where larger and heavier items must be held securely.</p>
  3430. <p>
  3431. Southco&rsquo;s positioning hinges are preset during the manufacturing process will last without adjustment for the lifetime of most applications. Available in multiple sizes, materials and torque ranges, Southco&rsquo;s positioning hinges provide the options to satisfy a wide range of application needs.</p>
  3432. <p>
  3433. To learn more about Southco&rsquo;s line of position control hinges and display mounting arms, visit <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/minisites/position-control/default.html">Southco&rsquo;s Positioning Technology page</a>.</p>
  3434. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3435. <cpdm:created>2013-04-22 12:05:35</cpdm:created>
  3436. <cpdm:published>2013-05-15 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3437. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3438. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3439. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/twice-as-much-torque-to-lift-and-position-heavier-items-with-ease</cpdm:url>
  3440. </cpdm:post>
  3441. <cpdm:post id="04f0be37-7f42-4095-a5f2-d82377daa91f">
  3442. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Electronic Latching for the Great Outdoors]]></cpdm:title>
  3443. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3444. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/c14eed2fa71ddd0e9738f93ec07efec6/r4_em_outdoor.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 250px; height: 250px;" /></p>
  3445. <p>
  3446. Southco is bringing its electronic locking capabilities outside with the recent launch of our <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/r4-em-od">R4-EM Outdoor Electronic Rotary Latch</a>.</p>
  3447. <p>
  3448. With its corrosion-resistant plated-steel or stainless steel outer body construction and fully-sealed internal actuator, the R4-EM Outdoor provides reliable electronic locking that is resistant to moisture and dust, making it an excellent choice for external applications.</p>
  3449. <div>
  3450. <div>
  3451. <p>
  3452. The R4-EM Outdoor works just like the standard R4-EM, and accepts control inputs from any access control device. In addition to its ability to perform in corrosive environments, the R4-EM Outdoor is designed with a higher working load and ultimate load that ensures reliable operation in demanding environments.</p>
  3453. </div>
  3454. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/40813be5fed14ff1558bf25bd6440f62/bike_kiosk1_w640.jpeg" style="width: 450px; height: 250px; float: left; margin: 6px 5px;" />
  3455. <div>
  3456. &nbsp;</div>
  3457. <div>
  3458. &nbsp;</div>
  3459. <div>
  3460. &nbsp;</div>
  3461. <div>
  3462. &nbsp;</div>
  3463. <div>
  3464. The R4-EM Outdoor delivers optimal design flexibility and is ideal for outdoor applications that require concealed, convenient and secure electronic access.</div>
  3465. <div>
  3466. <p>
  3467. &nbsp;</p>
  3468. <p>
  3469. To learn more about Southco&rsquo;s complete line of electronic access solutions, visit <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/r4-em?hid=7336&amp;q=r4-em">Southco&rsquo;s R4-EM product page.</a></p>
  3470. <p>
  3471. &nbsp;</p>
  3472. </div>
  3473. <div>
  3474. &nbsp;</div>
  3475. </div>
  3476. <p>
  3477. &nbsp;</p>
  3478. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3479. <cpdm:created>2013-04-22 12:07:25</cpdm:created>
  3480. <cpdm:published>2013-06-12 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3481. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3482. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3483. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/electronic-latching-for-the-great-outdoors</cpdm:url>
  3484. </cpdm:post>
  3485. <cpdm:post id="603799b5-4146-4cec-82c5-fb8eaa1e253c">
  3486. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[A Locking Pull Handle That’s a Snap to Install]]></cpdm:title>
  3487. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3488. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/97e3529506830ad935c7be77591b98a3/hvac.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left; width: 252px; height: 381px;" />You don&rsquo;t need tools, a separate locking mechanism or more than a few minutes of installation time.</p>
  3489. <p>
  3490. Southco&rsquo;s P2 Flush Pull Lockable is two products in one &ndash; combining the reliability and fast installation of the standard P2 product class with the added security of an integrated cam lock.</p>
  3491. <p>
  3492. This one-piece assembly features single-hole panel preparation and built-in tabs that snap into position behind the panel to hold the pull in place without added tools, reducing installation time and effort.</p>
  3493. <p>
  3494. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/e5e11b0d1ca3672fcc4a547178a62450/p2_lockable_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 250px; height: 138px; float: right;" /></p>
  3495. <p>
  3496. The addition of an integrated Southco lockplug brings added security to panels, doors, furniture and various enclosure applications. Available in both left and right hand locking styles, the P2 Flush Pull Lockable is also available with custom keying upon request. The lock can also be keyed to match other Southco locks in the same application for added convenience.</p>
  3497. <p>
  3498. &nbsp;</p>
  3499. <p>
  3500. Visit our <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/p2">P2 Flush Pull</a> product page for more information on the P2 Flush Pull Lockable.</p>
  3501. <p>
  3502. &nbsp;</p>
  3503. <p style="text-align: center;">
  3504. &nbsp;</p>
  3505. <p>
  3506. &nbsp;</p>
  3507. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3508. <cpdm:created>2013-04-22 12:08:51</cpdm:created>
  3509. <cpdm:published>2013-05-29 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3510. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3511. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3512. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/a-locking-pull-handle-thats-a-snap-to-install</cpdm:url>
  3513. </cpdm:post>
  3514. <cpdm:post id="74193d13-359a-421d-ba89-8bb6cd612f1e">
  3515. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Gives Back: Big Brothers Big Sisters ]]></cpdm:title>
  3516. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3517. A team of manufacturing managers and supervisors from Southco&rsquo;s Concordville, PA headquarters put their assembly skills to the test this month &ndash; not just by putting together Southco products, but by building new bicycles for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern, PA.</p>
  3518. <p>
  3519. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/2e056cd05ca06cde6174847cb3e5e36a/bbbs_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 250px;" /></p>
  3520. <p>
  3521. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is the largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network in the U.S. working to develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. In support of their local chapter, Southco donated 2 girls and 2 boys bicycles to the organization as well as the time necessary to assemble them.</p>
  3522. <p>
  3523. Southco volunteers turned the activity into a friendly competition by dividing themselves into 4 teams, who then competed to build the bicycles. As the teams worked to assemble the bikes, they were evaluated on many factors such as safety, quality, team engagement and clear directions.</p>
  3524. <p>
  3525. The teams were rewarded by Southco for their hard work and dedication in the following areas:</p>
  3526. <ul>
  3527. <li>
  3528. Quality and Safety</li>
  3529. <li>
  3530. First to Finish</li>
  3531. <li>
  3532. Creativity</li>
  3533. <li>
  3534. Leadership and Teamwork</li>
  3535. </ul>
  3536. <p>
  3537. Jennifer Carroll, Vice President at BBBS, visited the Concordville campus to accept finished bicycles and said she was not only impressed with the caliber of the bikes, but also with Southco&rsquo;s commitment to helping children in the local community. &nbsp;</p>
  3538. <p>
  3539. &nbsp;</p>
  3540. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3541. <cpdm:created>2013-04-29 17:03:19</cpdm:created>
  3542. <cpdm:published>2013-05-01 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3543. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3544. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3545. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-gives-back-big-brothers-big-sisters</cpdm:url>
  3546. </cpdm:post>
  3547. <cpdm:post id="5693fd09-6d6b-4c37-92f1-0625110fa3f3">
  3548. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Securing Your Assets with Cam and Compression Latching – Choosing the Right Head Style]]></cpdm:title>
  3549. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3550. &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/d7758de560ccc30a1e95a3ca1f7ef30a/bellcore.jpg" style="width: 85px; height: 90px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/5c5a614d33156d61029b16b84b1ee442/tubularkey.jpg" style="width: 85px; height: 90px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/e4320f12ec23c2c2e9eed71813624d9a/railwaystandard.jpg" style="width: 85px; height: 90px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/a2cb858c67ec37c7dbb92954eac83b40/hexrecess.jpg" style="width: 85px; height: 90px;" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
  3551. <p>
  3552. Choosing the right head style for a cam or compression latch will enhance end-user functionality and ensure the security of an enclosure. Southco&rsquo;s wide range of cam and compression head styles provide many levels of security to accommodate the specific needs of an enclosure application.</p>
  3553. <p>
  3554. A Slot Recessed head style for instance, supplies a base level of security and is suitable for applications where a simple access solution is necessary. A Hex Recess head however, adds an extra layer of protection due to its unique shape, which requires a special key for access.</p>
  3555. <p>
  3556. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/3e6927fc65ed88325d2ee384d2bed222/cam_e5.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 158px; height: 200px;" /></p>
  3557. <div>
  3558. <p>
  3559. Higher security applications benefit from Southco&rsquo;s Tubular Key head design, which uses a wafer lock that can only be accessed using a Southco manufactured Tubular Key. Southco also offers standard head styles for specific industries, such as Rail and Bellcore.</p>
  3560. <p>
  3561. Using multiple cam and compression latches with different head styles is ideal for applications where additional levels of security are needed. For example, when accessing an enclosure within an enclosure.</p>
  3562. <p>
  3563. The external door of the enclosure can be easily secured using a Slot or Hex Recessed compression latch, while an additional layer of security can be added to the internal door using Southco&rsquo;s Tubular Key head style option. Adding a compression latch with a different head style to each door ensures that only authorized individuals possessing the correct keys can access what&rsquo;s inside.</p>
  3564. <p>
  3565. To learn more about our extensive line of cam and compression latches and the various head style options visit Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/product/hierarchy.html?hid=7315">Cam and Compression Latching product page</a>.</p>
  3566. </div>
  3567. <p>
  3568. &nbsp;</p>
  3569. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3570. <cpdm:created>2013-06-17 15:12:32</cpdm:created>
  3571. <cpdm:published>2013-06-26 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3572. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3573. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3574. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/securing-your-assets-with-cam-and-compression-latching-choosing-the-right-head-style</cpdm:url>
  3575. </cpdm:post>
  3576. <cpdm:post id="21ac068a-8433-4578-863f-28c39f8818b7">
  3577. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Follow Southco on SlideShare]]></cpdm:title>
  3578. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3579. Southco offers a variety of ways to stay connected via social media, whether you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or here on our blog. In our continuous effort to share our product and industry knowledge with you, we are pleased to announce the launch of Southco&rsquo;s SlideShare page.</p>
  3580. <p>
  3581. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/24c5a3af6494305a3acbea20fb760b68/slideshare_net_southco_w640.jpeg" style="width: 500px; height: 293px; float: left; margin: 5px 6px;" /></p>
  3582. <div>
  3583. <p>
  3584. Attracting over 60 million visitors each month, SlideShare is the largest global community for sharing presentations, white papers, brochures, press releases, videos, webinars and more. By following &nbsp;Southco&rsquo;s new SlideShare page, you will receive notifications when we add new materials for download.</p>
  3585. <p>
  3586. &nbsp;</p>
  3587. <p>
  3588. Visit <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/southco">slideshare.net/southco</a> to view our latest offerings.</p>
  3589. </div>
  3590. <p>
  3591. &nbsp;</p>
  3592. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3593. <cpdm:created>2013-06-18 11:23:42</cpdm:created>
  3594. <cpdm:published>2013-06-19 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3595. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3596. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3597. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/follow-southco-on-slideshare</cpdm:url>
  3598. </cpdm:post>
  3599. <cpdm:post id="fbcea51e-b694-4283-bbe2-8d226c458704">
  3600. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Southco Receives Boeing Silver Performance Award for 2012]]></cpdm:title>
  3601. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3602. Southco is the recipient of a 2012 Silver level Performance Excellence Award, which is issued annually by the Boeing Company in recognition of suppliers who have achieved superior performance.</p>
  3603. <div>
  3604. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/30758ecc98152ad43c71a5d876f844e2/southco_supplier_2012_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; width: 400px; float: right; height: 334px" />
  3605. <p>
  3606. The Boeing Company awards Silver level recognition to companies demonstrating their dedication to the high performance standards necessary to meet customer expectations and remain competitive in the global economy.</p>
  3607. <p>
  3608. Boeing recognized 594 suppliers for 2012 who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award. Southco maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012.</p>
  3609. <p>
  3610. &ldquo;We are honored to be recognized as one of Boeing&rsquo;s top suppliers,&rdquo; said Steve Potter, General Manager of Southco&rsquo;s Americas Transportation unit. &ldquo;This award is a reflection of the high quality access hardware solutions, innovative technology and exemplary service we provide to all of our customers.&rdquo;</p>
  3611. <p>
  3612. <a href="http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/doingbiz/supplier_portal/bpea.html">Learn more about the Boeing Performance Excellence Award</a></p>
  3613. <p>
  3614. &nbsp;</p>
  3615. </div>
  3616. <p>
  3617. &nbsp;</p>
  3618. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3619. <cpdm:created>2013-06-20 17:13:44</cpdm:created>
  3620. <cpdm:published>2013-07-10 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3621. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3622. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3623. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/southco-receives-boeing-silver-performance-award-for-2012</cpdm:url>
  3624. </cpdm:post>
  3625. <cpdm:post id="4e07f9d3-20c9-466b-b141-c32fecf6431b">
  3626. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Design Guidelines for Automotive Headrest Positioning Applications]]></cpdm:title>
  3627. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>
  3628. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9c510ff3d77508afa59fb852b75a6386/southco_comfort_headrest_in_seat1.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 235px;" />Many headrest assemblies available to automotive manufacturers in today&rsquo;s market are limited in their flexibility and installation capabilities. Because end users desire headrests that are supportive and easy to maneuver, and automotive OEMs must control costs associated with production, design engineers often face challenges in balancing comfort and basic functionality.</p>
  3629. <p>
  3630. When specifying automotive headrests, design engineers should choose positioning solutions that allow for:</p>
  3631. <ul>
  3632. <li>
  3633. <strong>Smooth operation and better positioning</strong> &ndash; The end user should be able to easily position the headrest with minimal force.</li>
  3634. <li>
  3635. <strong>Maintenance free adjustment</strong> &ndash; The design must allow for the specification of various operating efforts in different directions of motion, holding position without the need for readjustment.</li>
  3636. <li>
  3637. <strong>Mobility unaffected by temperature changes</strong> &ndash; The design must be engineered to protect against changes in operating effort caused by temperature fluctuations.&nbsp;</li>
  3638. <li>
  3639. <strong>Extended service life &ndash; </strong>Reliable designs ensure functionality throughout the service life of the vehicle.</li>
  3640. <li>
  3641. <strong>Reduced production costs</strong> &ndash; Complete systems reduce assembly costs and ensure reliability throughout the production process.</li>
  3642. </ul>
  3643. <p>
  3644. <img alt="" src="//cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/c80ab324-8c02-491f-b1f1-5baeecc7e6e8/b816f9be-f270-4983-88d8-c36c047d6159/Image/9ede902c1e85175314afa559b7dd347a/southco_comfort_headrest1_w640.jpeg" style="margin: 5px; float: left; width: 250px; height: 200px;" /></p>
  3645. <p>
  3646. Southco&rsquo;s Modular Headrest integrates constant torque functionality into a molded assembly and enables users to easily position the finished headrest and hold it securely at any desired angle, whether it&rsquo;s fully opened, partially closed to support the head and neck, or anywhere in between.</p>
  3647. <p>
  3648. The Comfort Headrest provides reliable and flexible constant torque capabilities in a small package, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into OEM seat designs. The in-mold assembly process provides a practical mechanism for the automotive industry&rsquo;s high volume applications, new designs and design refreshes.</p>
  3649. <p>
  3650. For more information on how our Position Control Hinges can be used in your application, visit Southco&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.southco.com/en-us/minisites/position-control/default.html">Positioning Technology mini site</a>.</p>
  3651. ]]></cpdm:body>
  3652. <cpdm:created>2013-07-16 17:34:18</cpdm:created>
  3653. <cpdm:published>2013-07-24 13:00:00</cpdm:published>
  3654. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3655. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3656. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/touchpoint-solutions/design-guidelines-for-automotive-headrest-positioning-applications</cpdm:url>
  3657. </cpdm:post>
  3658. </cpdm:posts>
  3659. </cpdm:blog>
  3660. </cpdm:user>
  3661. <cpdm:user id="eb7b48ec-ef15-48d0-8fd7-4e0b6027b931">
  3662. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[John]]></cpdm:firstname>
  3663. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Snyder]]></cpdm:lastname>
  3664. <cpdm:email>jsnyder@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  3665. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[jsnyder@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
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  3669. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[-NOT SET-]]></cpdm:title>
  3670. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[-NOT SET-]]></cpdm:description>
  3671. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/-not-set--2</cpdm:url>
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  3674. <cpdm:user id="4cf82d24-189d-4ef3-b3cd-20d5ddb1cee4">
  3675. <cpdm:firstname><![CDATA[Alex]]></cpdm:firstname>
  3676. <cpdm:lastname><![CDATA[Wakeley]]></cpdm:lastname>
  3677. <cpdm:email>awakeley@southco.com</cpdm:email>
  3678. <cpdm:username><![CDATA[awakeley@southco.com]]></cpdm:username>
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  3682. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Alex's transportation blog]]></cpdm:title>
  3683. <cpdm:description><![CDATA[Whats happening in the world of transportation access hardware]]></cpdm:description>
  3684. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/construction-equipment-theft--how-much-of-a</cpdm:url>
  3685. <cpdm:posts>
  3686. <cpdm:post id="cfd168b0-3658-4b15-9a2d-d1cf8e3ff79a">
  3687. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Construction equipment theft – how much of a concern is this for you?]]></cpdm:title>
  3688. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">I recently came across an article on the &lsquo;Construction Equipment&rsquo; website regarding theft deterrent technology that I found particularly interesting (see <a href="http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6675702.html?nid=4843&amp;rid=12166898">http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6675702.html?nid=4843&amp;rid=12166898</a> ).&nbsp;Being a manufacturer of access hardware for the construction equipment industry I found this very interesting.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">It occurred to me that although there are some great advances in technology that help prevent the engine being started and big steps forward to improve the chance of quick recovery of stolen vehicles, there has been little discussion about stopping unauthorised entry into the cab and from gaining access to other areas of the vehicle.&nbsp;With expensive LCD &lsquo;touch screen&rsquo; technology, stereo systems and personal belongings being stored in the cab, surely it is important to stop thieves being able to get in?</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">An area that we have focused on is electronic access solutions, incorporating technology not too dissimilar to that found on automobiles.&nbsp;The beauty of this technology is that it can significantly enhance the level of vehicle security (no matter where it is being parked or stored) while still providing the same level of convenience as a single key for fleet owners and rental companies.&nbsp;For example, you could give certain operators access to certain vehicles, change access rights whenever needed and even track who used what equipment and when.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">Could electronic access hardware work for you? Why do some original equipment manufacturers seem reluctant to integrate this technology?</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%">It would be great to hear your thoughts on comments on this subject!</span></p>]]></cpdm:body>
  3689. <cpdm:created>2009-09-10 15:29:51</cpdm:created>
  3690. <cpdm:published></cpdm:published>
  3691. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3692. <cpdm:status>declined</cpdm:status>
  3693. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/construction-equipment-theft--how-much-of-a/construction-equipment-theft-how-much-of-a-concern-is-this-for-you</cpdm:url>
  3694. </cpdm:post>
  3695. <cpdm:post id="bf382997-9bde-4ba7-939d-e6f06f034891">
  3696. <cpdm:title><![CDATA[Construction equipment theft – how much of a concern is this for you?]]></cpdm:title>
  3697. <cpdm:body><![CDATA[<p>I recently came across an article on the &lsquo;Construction Equipment&rsquo; website regarding theft deterrent technology that I found particularly interesting (see <a href="http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6675702.html?nid=4843&amp;rid=12166898">http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6675702.html?nid=4843&amp;rid=12166898</a> ).&nbsp; Being a <a title="Southco homepage" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com">manufacturer of access hardware</a> for the construction equipment industry I found this very interesting.</p><p>It occurred to me that although there are some great advances in technology that help prevent the engine being started and big steps forward to improve the chance of quick recovery of stolen vehicles, there has been little discussion about stopping unauthorised entry into the cab and from gaining access to other areas of the vehicle.&nbsp; With expensive LCD &lsquo;touch screen&rsquo; technology, stereo systems and personal belongings being stored in the cab, surely it is important to stop thieves being able to get in?</p><p>An area that we have focused on is <a title="Electronic access solutions, latches, locks, controllers" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">electronic access solutions</a>, incorporating technology not too dissimilar to that found on automobiles.&nbsp; A great example of this is&nbsp;Southco's electronic rotary latch, the <a title="electronic rotary latch" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/class/r4-em-electronic-rotary-latch-7619.html">R4-EM</a>.&nbsp; The beauty of this technology is that it can significantly enhance the level of vehicle security (no matter where it is being parked or stored) while still providing the same level of <a title="Southco security mini-site, key locking solutions" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/security/">convenience as a single key</a> for fleet owners and rental companies.&nbsp; For example, you could give certain operators access to certain vehicles, change access rights whenever needed and even track who used what equipment and when.</p><p>Could <a title="Electronic access hardware, latches, locks, controllers" target="_blank" href="http://www.southco.com/minisites/eas/">electronic access hardware</a> work for you? Why do some original equipment manufacturers seem reluctant to integrate this technology?</p><p>It would be great to hear your thoughts on comments on this subject!<br />&nbsp;</p>]]></cpdm:body>
  3698. <cpdm:created>2009-09-15 07:32:16</cpdm:created>
  3699. <cpdm:published>2009-09-15 07:32:16</cpdm:published>
  3700. <cpdm:sticky>false</cpdm:sticky>
  3701. <cpdm:status>approved</cpdm:status>
  3702. <cpdm:url>http://blog.southco.com/blog/construction-equipment-theft--how-much-of-a/construction-equipment-theft-how-much-of-a-concern-is-this-for-you-v1</cpdm:url>
  3703. </cpdm:post>
  3704. </cpdm:posts>
  3705. </cpdm:blog>
  3706. </cpdm:user>
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  3708. </cpdm:network>
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