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    Cables vs. Rods, Which is the Right Choice for Your Application?

    Posted by Rob Dell'Elmo on Apr 24, 2020 12:51:09 PM

     

    The two primary linkage options available for your multi-point latches are Rods and CablesEach offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages. 

    If you're debating which is right for your application, here's a breakdown of our findings. 

    Rods are more common in multi-point latch applications for several reasons, but primarily because of their durability. They are generally stronger and more durable than cables. Financially, while the cost of the raw materials for rods and cables is very close, rods tend to be more economical than a complete cable system. Cable systems require more components for assembly, thus making them more complex and costly to use. Many companies will form rods on their ownwhich also can help to keep costs down. 

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, Products (General), Innovative Solutions

    An Overview of Austin Hardware's Complete Line of Drawer Release Systems.  

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Apr 6, 2020 12:06:38 PM

    When it comes to Drawer Release Systems, there are a variety of ways you can incorporate them into your work truck, utility vehicle, or emergency vehicle. Drawer release systems are a great way to organize tools, emergency equipment, safety supplies, and more while keeping everything safely stored while the vehicle is in motion. These are just a few of the ways that you can use our products, but the possibilities are endless. There are many different types of drawer release systems and methods to be custom-fitted or designed for your specific needs.

    At Austin Hardware®, we have three different drawer release systems that are all designed with quality, performance, and strength in mind.  Each varies slightly for the different needs of our end users.  
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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, Products (General), Innovative Solutions

    Tips for Choosing the Right Drawer Slides.

    Posted by Rob Dell'Elmo on Mar 2, 2020 11:00:00 AM

    Drawer slides assist in the opening and closing of drawers. From emergency and utility vehicles to server racks, battery trays, and medical equipment cabinets, the list of uses for drawer slides in vehicular and industrial applications is virtually endless. 

    Choosing the right drawer slide for your application requires the answers to a few questions.

    • What is the drawer used for, and how much weight will it be required to handle (load capacity)? 
    • What are the environmental conditions in which it will primarily operate? Must the drawers lock in any position (i.e., open position, closed position, both, or neither)?
    • Must the slides contain a disconnect to allow for the complete removal of the drawer?
    • How much space is available, and how much of the drawer must be easily accessed?
    • How often will the drawer be accessed?
    • How much of a factor are aesthetics (i.e., will the slide be hidden)?

    Often, the most critical element to determine and the best way to begin narrowing down your options is your required load capacity. From there, you can start to explore the available options. 

     

     

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, drawer slides, fdr

    LifeDefender™ Sets the Top Safety Standards With Innovative Designs.

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Dec 18, 2019 11:04:00 AM

     

    When it comes to safety, LifeDefender™ not only meets the industry standards, we helped to establish them. From our beginnings, we worked with a select group of emergency vehicle and ambulance manufacturers to set the toughest safety standards as well as design products that meet these standards. Our rigorous safety standards keep occupants inside emergency vehicles safe during transport. Austin Hardware's LifeDefender™ Cabinet Security Frames have been designed to provide a solution to meet the *SAE, CAAS GVS & NFPA safety standards. In addition to meeting strict safety standards, our frames are crash-tested to ensure that the vehicle occupants, EMS workers, and patients are safe during transport and in case of an accident.  

    Not only is safety our top concern, but we also created a top-quality design for all of our products. We utilized our custom engineering services to create efficient, quality-designed products. The LifeDefenderline designs feature a quick and easy installation for quick assembly of emergency vehicles. Our cabinets are designed for ease of use, and some only require one-handed use for on-the-go applications. The simple, functional design is not only handy but is also suitable for many different uses, including marine and RV applications. LifeDefender™ has designed one tough frame and offers a variety of products to fit different needs and applications. Each product is designed with safety in mind as well as easy installation and use.  

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™, Innovative Solutions, ambulances, Essential EMT

    Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc. Receives Patent for Front Drawer Release

    Posted by Admin on Aug 28, 2018 11:19:00 PM

    Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc. has received Patent No. US 10,004,331 B2 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the company’s Front Drawer Release (FDR).

    The FDR was invented by engineers Mark Jeffries and Rusty Smith in 2009, and a patent request was filed in 2011. It was designed as part of a complete system to easily latch and unlatch the drawers in heavy duty industrial drawer systems used in vehicular applications.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™

    Steps to Bringing a Product to Market

    Posted by Admin on Jun 18, 2018 11:24:00 PM

    Launching a product is not as simple as creating it and releasing it into the world. Without a solid plan, bringing a product to market can prove impossible. In fact, Harvard research shows that there are over 30,000 new products launched every year, but over 80% of them fail. It’s safe to say that getting a product to market is far from guaranteed.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™

    8 Steps to Successful New Product Development

    Posted by Austin Hardware on Apr 30, 2018 11:29:00 PM

    Innovation is integral to success today. New or re-branded products and services are meant to fill consumer demand or capitalize on an opportunity in the marketplace. When bringing new ideas or products into reality, businesses must consider the New Product Development process. This process was developed on the back of comprehensive research on products that failed and succeeded.

    How to Develop a New Product

    The process listed here is recognized as the best practice for bringing concepts to the market. Also known as the Stage-Gate innovation process, has eight crucial steps for successful product development. Keep reading below to learn more about these steps and how to utilize them for your business.

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    Topics: Austin Engineered Solutions™