In recent years, consumers and end users have increasingly expected a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable way to meet the demand for product and device security. Device manufacturers are facing increasing challenges when it comes to protecting valuable and sensitive equipment from malfunctions, human error, illegal use, and the ever-increasing threat of cyberattacks.

At the same time, the protection of critical assets and equipment requires consideration of factors such as cost-effectiveness, frequency of maintenance, and ease of integration and operation. Overly complex security and safety measures can inherently hinder a strong security system.

For innovative industrial designers, finding a balance between ease of operation and reasonable cost and effective safety is a major opportunity. Simple, reliable, and proven equipment is an effective and intuitive solution to the challenge.

Powered by visual indication

In fact, visual feedback is one of the simple and effective ways to secure equipment cabinets and panels, as users can use the various functions integrated into the equipment to instantly obtain intuitive visual information about whether a door or access panel is securely and appropriately locked.

There are a number of component suppliers that offer mechanical and mechatronic locks and locking devices, as well as a range of visual safety and security indication functions integrated into their products. They provide a series of proofs that make it easier for design engineers to select and incorporate the ones that meet their functional requirements, improve operator efficiency, and help ensure error-free safety.

In the environment where we live and work, visual information related to safety and security is ubiquitous. In the car, if we try to drive without a seatbelt or with the passenger door or tailgate unlocked, the system alerts the driver with an audible sound and a flashing light image on the dashboard.

In warehouses, factories, and construction sites, conspicuous signage has easy-to-understand color graphic content to alert people to the need to wear a hard hat or warn of the presence of high-voltage equipment, or to identify emergency alarms and exits.

Protect valuable infrastructure

Throughout the installation environment, we must regularly and properly lock and protect access panels and doors, equipment cabinets, storage rooms, and valuable or sensitive equipment.

These facilities include large light fixtures in office spaces, public lobbies, and commercial environments, as well as telecommunication network equipment and ATMs that are essential to people's daily lives. Not only that, but server cabinets in data centers or covers and cabinets used to house automated manufacturing systems on the factory floor require higher security controls.

If locking is not done correctly, each type of facility presents different risks:

Public Safety: If panels used to cover fluorescent lamps or LED fixtures are not properly sealed, or exterior doors used to cover equipment on a streetcar or train are not closed, these panels and doors may accidentally open or fall off, resulting in a hazard.

Environmental safety: Failure to lock outdoor lighting fixtures and utility cabinets after repairs can cause rain and snow to seep into the cabinets and damage valuable equipment.

Operator safety: When a manufacturing machine or machine is serviced, an unlocked cabinet is often connected to a safety lock to prevent the machine from restarting, so the operator can restart the machine without hesitation knowing that the door and latch are closed with the appropriate indicators.

Cybersecurity: Systems that interact with computer networks, such as servers in data centers, as well as network devices and wireless cellular stations, have become targets for hackers to steal sensitive personal and business data.

Choose the right safety indicator solution

Users can choose from a range of latching systems with visual indicators to provide the right level of security for each of these applications. Opt-in to a door lock system with visual indication to improve safety, reduce the incidence of maintenance failures, and help improve operational efficiency.

Maintain the panel in a locked position with visual indications

To improve safety, some applications require more indications built into locking and latching devices. These applications include high-end self-service kiosks, lottery kiosks, and ATMs, to name a few, which require constant replenishment and maintenance through frequent locking and unlocking operations.

The locking devices on these machines correspond to clearly visible visual indicators that allow the end user to know if the machine or cabinet has been unlocked and thus determine which compartments need to be restocked or maintained.

Compression latches are designed with a spring-loaded metal cover that once the lid is popped open, the cover cannot be closed as long as the latch is open, at which point the user or technician needs to actively lock the latch to return the cover to its normal position.

Some economical compression latches include several simple, color-coded features that will be clearly visible when the latch is in the open or unlocked position. For example, the door lock is designed with a brightly colored, highly reflective airfoil indicator that pops out from both sides of the lock when it is opened, allowing the lock to be clearly noticeable during the day or night. These latches are ideal for lighting fixtures, storage spaces in public areas, or exterior panels for transit, construction, or agricultural vehicles, where verifying that the panel is locked is critical.

The lock status of the monitoring panel is visually indicated

In addition, the lever lock design consists of a small, color-coded window that displays the latch status. If the indicator window appears green, the latch has not been opened since the last reset. Once the latch is opened, the light will change from green to red and will not return to green until the latch is securely closed with a dedicated mechanical key. This feature is very useful for ambulances, as it is standard practice to replenish the internal storage compartments as soon as possible after one ambulance attendance. This feature allows maintenance personnel to quickly identify and refill the storage boxes that have been unlocked by eliminating the need to open and inspect each storage box to determine if it needs to be replenished, reducing the amount of time ambulances are out of service.

This design can be achieved with simple modifications to proven standard designs, providing an important advantage for industrial designers. They didn't need to redesign the system or change the panel prefab to accommodate different latch sizes or requirements, and they could add visual safety features to their existing access panel designs. This not only simplifies the process of adding safety and security features, but also does not have a significant impact on costs.

Track the lockout status of your dashboard with digital auditing

A range of mechatronic latching systems allow users to implement sophisticated enhanced solutions to view the status of locking and track when and how cabinets are unlocked and locked.

For applications such as server cabinet doors or 5G base station cabinets in data centers, a full-featured Electronic Locking Solution (EAS) can be used to protect high-value equipment and closely track when these vital systems are unlocked, by whom, and for how long.

An electronic locking system typically consists of three main components: a locking control or input device, a mechatronic lock, and a system for monitoring the status of the locking point. The EAS platform offers a range of locking devices, including an RFID reader, a keychain with a proximity sensor, and a numeric keypad built into the lock for entering the PIN code.

Locking credentials, which are currently being widely used and secure, will be provided with an electronic key for a certain period of time through a mobile app on the technician's smartphone. Mechatronic locks come with a Bluetooth reader so that technicians can use their electronic key to lock and unlock the cabinet or enclosure through a secure Bluetooth connection. Cabinet switch data can then be recorded and stored in the cloud by establishing a digital audit trail.

Typically, many electronic locks and switch controllers are equipped with red and green lights to visually indicate the locking status of the lock. This feature will help remind the technician to properly lock the door or access panel when the work is complete.

Work with established and reliable suppliers

Design engineers have a range of locking options to choose from, including visual safety indicators and a number of relatively low-cost solutions that can be used as drop-in replacements for standard parts. Before finalizing the overall design, it is important for the cabinet designer to determine if this type of visual indication is required. This helps prevent quality control or safety engineers from initiating requests to change or recomplete designs late in the project timeline.

Design engineers can consult with experienced locking and latching system suppliers early in the design process to select an indicator for their application. An established supplier will have an upfront understanding of the safety and security requirements of a cabinet, panel, or storage bin design to deliver a solution that leverages the value of a visual safety indicator to improve the overall functionality of the final design.