Common Industrial Latches & Their Applications

Located in UAE, Bolton Technical Equipment Supplies is a company that offers a wide range of products useful to facilities management service providers. These include hardware, tools, building materials, mechanical equipment and parts, sanitary and plumbing materials, health and safety gears, office consumables, and electrical components, tools & Do-It-Yourself (DIY), Pet supplies and accesorries including pet beds, pet feeders, bowls and leashed etc. We are currently expanding to e-commerce of general consumer products such as healthcare products and pet supplies. We are looking forward to being a one-stop shop and providing our dearest consumers with top-quality products at their convenience.

Power tools, hand tools, brushes, hooks, ladders, locks, and latches are some of the tools we offer. These tools are helpful to get your installation, repair, and maintenance jobs. In this article, the common types of latches used in industrial applications will be briefly discussed.

What are Latches Used for?

Latches are mechanical devices or fasteners used to hold surfaces together temporarily. For example, they are commonly used to keep doors, cabinets, and gates closed. Large, durable, and reliable latches are used in refrigeration systems, storage facilities, utility boxes, and vehicles such as trucks and trailers in industrial applications. Most latches are formed by assembling or welding die-cast, stamped, or forged metals.

Types of Industrial Latches

Draw Latches are also called pull-down latches, over-center fasteners, or toggle clamps. They are commonly used in electronic enclosures and equipment control panels, holding them tightly and securely to protect against dust and water ingress. A draw latch consists of two hooks: a catch and a blade. One of the hooks is attached to a lever. As the latch closes, the hooks clasp each other under tension and merge the two parts. The tight seal created is due to the tension formed when pushing the lever arm results in pulling the drawbar against the catch.

Slam Latches, also known as push-to-close latches, are spring-loaded latches that are more robust in construction than an ordinary spring latch. They automatically lock doors upon closing. The cam rises and turns down behind the wall as the door is pushed, causing the automatic locking of doors when closed. These are best used in high-traffic areas in industrial settings.

Cane Bolt Latches can be considered as larger and more robust barrel bolts. They consist of a rod that fits through a couple of holders. They are usually used in keeping the industrial facilities’ exterior doors and gates opened and closed. When an outdoor gate is closed, the rod is locked into the hole drilled into the surface of the driveway. There can be one more hole drilled in another spot to hold the gate in the open position. This type of bolt requires manual actuation for latching and unlatching. Having a bolt locked into a hole in the floor provides superior strength and an added level of protection.

Paddle Latches are suitable for use in truck and industrial applications such as locking for trailer doors, emergency vehicles, construction equipment, HVAC, and industrial machinery. They come with chrome or zinc plating, ensuring their durability and resistance to extreme environments.

Magnetic Latches are ideal for lightweight applications, and mechanical latching is not needed. They are commonly used in the following applications: drawers, HVAC panels, trucks, and trailers. These prevent damage to doors and surrounding structures by securely holding surfaces in place without locking.

Pawl Latches are known for their large grip range and flexibility of use. They are best suited for applications that require a slide compression fit. They are usually used for locking electrical switchboards, HVAC enclosures, and industrial machinery and equipment.

Trigger Latches have a simple design and functionality. They are commonly used to secure electronic and HVAC enclosures. Pushing the trigger of the lever latch drops down the pawl, causing the door to open. Simultaneously, the level moves upward and can be used as a handle to open the door.

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