Code Machine Adjustment

 

Manufacturers and locksmiths alike use code machines to originate keys from bitting numbers. These machines are essential for implementing master keying systems. The depth and spacing of the cuts must be very accurate.

In the field it is easy to check cut depths with a caliper. Spacing is hard to check. Many key machine instructions advise using a factory cut key for calibration. The key is positioned against the stop; the cutter wheel is lodged into a given cut and the vise position secured by set screws or other means.

I prefer a technique that allows a visual check of lateral accuracy. Mill away the center of a plug deep enough to intersect the pin chambers. Leave enough brass to retain the pins. The full plug on either end stabilizes the key.

Put original manufacturer’s pins in the center chambers and cut a test key. Adjust the spacing until the pins rest in the center of the cut root. Use a magnifying glass for maximum accuracy.

Jerome V. Andrews, CML

6-7-10

Monday, June 21st, 2010 Door Hardware No Comments

New video: MAGNEO in motion

A new video on DORMA Group North America’s YouTube channel shows the MAGNEO sliding door system in action at an architecture firm’s office in Arizona.

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Monday, May 17th, 2010 Entrance Systems, News No Comments

New collaboration between Modernfold and Joel Berman Glass Studios broadens aesthetic options for operable partitions

GREENFIELD, Ind. (April 21, 2010) – Modernfold, the market leader in innovative operable partitions, has begun collaborating with Joel Berman Glass Studios to bring designer glass options to Modernfold space division products.
The use of glass in operable partitions is an accelerating trend that will likely continue given modern demands for daylighting and increased interior openness. The new collaboration will enable architects and designers to integrate a wide array of custom textures, colors and resins into Modernfold partitions for a customized, contemporary finish.
Modernfold systems suitable for the distinctive glass products include the full-glass partition MOVEO® line of partitions and window cut-outs on the Acousti-Seal® line.
“Modernfold has always been in the forefront of offering the latest aesthetic options to the architectural community,” said Dan Popplewell, director of sales at Modernfold. “With the availability of remarkable products from Joel Berman Glass Studios, we again demonstrate that space division can be beautiful and functional at the same time.”
Joel Berman Glass Studios glass will be available directly from Modernfold representatives, who will interface directly with the glass producer to accommodate nearly any standard or custom need.
For more information about operable partitions from Modernfold, call (800) 869-9685 or visit www.modernfold.com.
About Modernfold and DORMA Group North America
Modernfold is the worldwide leader in operable partitions commonly found in conference and convention centers, hotels, classrooms, corporate meeting rooms and other public spaces. Since 1925, Modernfold has delivered quality and durability through product design and technological advances. The company is supported by a nationwide network of independent distributors who assist in layout development, product selection, project coordination, installation, training and service.
DORMA Group North America manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the architectural openings industry, with a particular focus on commercial and institutional openings. Part of The DORMA Group worldwide, DORMA Group North America comprises DORMA Architectural Hardware, DORMA Glas, Modernfold, DORMA Canada, DORMA Mexico, and DORMA Entrance Systems — which markets products and services under the DORMA Automatics, Crane Revolving Door and Carolina Door Controls brands.
DORMA Group North America offerings include safety and security products, locks, door closers, exit devices, glass hardware and patch fittings, sliding and swinging automatic doors, revolving doors and operable partitions.
About Joel Berman Glass Studios
Joel Berman Glass Studios is a world-renowned designer and manufacturer of glass art for the architecture and design community, and offers leading edge solutions and collaboration possibilities to take any glass art project from concept to installation. From its design studio and manufacturing facilities located in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Joel Berman Glass Studios offers kiln-cast and pressure-formed glass, and related complementary products, crafted to the highest standards and featuring designer textures, colors, hardware and design services.
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New DORMA eLearning site offers continuing education credits for architects, others

REAMSTOWN, Pa. (April  16, 2010) – DORMA Architectural Hardware’s new “DORMA eLearning” site — www.DORMAe-learning.com — offers a convenient, online platform for learning about architectural hardware and obtaining continuing education credits through the American Institute of Architects (AIA). DORMA is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems, All courses meet health, safety, welfare and sustainable design requirements.

Successful completion of each 45- to 60-minute program will earn architects one LU toward maintaining their certification as a registered architect. Earned credits will be reported automatically to AIA’s CES records. Certificates of completion will be mailed to AIA members as well. Non-AIA members can receive certificates upon request for self reporting.

The classes provide essential information about architectural hardware to help the building team make informed decisions about product selection and performance. The programs are suitable for use by other members of the building team (including end-users) in addition to hardware sales representatives and distributors.

Two programs for AIA credit are available on the site now. DORMA plans to have eight credit programs available by year-end. In addition, a non-credit DORMA-specific class provides an overview of the company, its products and its services to familiarize the participant with the wealth of offerings available.

About DORMA Group North America

DORMA Group North America manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the architectural openings industry, with a particular focus on commercial and institutional openings. Part of The DORMA Group worldwide, DORMA Group North America comprises DORMA Architectural Hardware, DORMA Glas, Modernfold, DORMA Canada, DORMA Mexico, and DORMA Entrance Systems — which markets products and services under the DORMA Automatics, Crane Revolving Door and Carolina Door Controls brands.

DORMA Group North America offerings include safety and security products, locks, door closers, exit devices, glass hardware and patch fittings, sliding and swinging automatic doors, revolving doors and operable partitions.

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New narrow stile exit devices from DORMA offer superior durability, styling, options

REAMSTOWN, Pa. (March 1, 2010) – DORMA Architectural Hardware has introduced a line of Grade 1 narrow stile exit devices that combines market-leading performance and durability with an attractive, compact configuration to meet an opening’s functional and aesthetic demands.
Based on DORMA’s workhorse 9000 Series heavy duty devices, the 9600/9700/9800 Series narrow stile devices have been tested beyond 2,500,000 operating cycles—more than five times the ANSI/BHMA 156.3, Grade 1 standard.
The exit devices have been designed to easily retrofit DORMA’s 5000 series and most other manufacturers’ narrow stile devices.
The 9600 Series (concealed vertical rod) and 9800 Series (surface vertical rod) narrow stile exit devices use heavy-duty castings for extra durability. The 9700 Series (RIM chassis) features heavy-duty 1020 grade carbon steel casting for a latch bolt static load rating of 1,500 lbs, over three times the ANSI/BHMA 156.3, Grade 1 standard for exit devices.
The series is ideal for narrow stile aluminum doors (1-7/8” – 2-1/8” in thickness, depending on application) medium stile aluminum doors (3 ½”), wide stile aluminum doors (5”) and wood and hollow steel doors in commercial and institutional settings such as office buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, industrial plants and public structures. For security needs, they feature up to 12 separate electronic monitoring and control options for managing critical access/egress applications.
All DORMA narrow stile exit devices are available in a variety of aesthetic options, including 14 ANSI/BHMA architectural finishes and dozens of custom colors. There are hundreds of trim and lever combinations. An antimicrobial coating option is available for ultra-clean environments. And a clear powder coating option can be specified for outdoor or highly corrosive applications.
DORMA narrow stile exit devices are U.L. and C.U.L. listed for panic and fire rated devices. Trim, pulls and levers comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act, 1994, and ANSI 117.1 2003 for accessible and usable buildings and facilities. They can contribute to U.S. Green Building Council LEED® MR credits in sections 2.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1.
They carry an industry-best 10-year warranty for mechanical components and a two-year warranty for electronics.
For more information about the new narrow stile exit devices from DORMA Architectural Hardware, call (800) 523-8483 or visit www.dorma-usa.com

New CEO for DORMA Group announced

ENNEPETAL, Germany — At the beginning of 2009, the then sole proprietor of the DORMA Group, Karl-Rudolf Mankel, transferred the majority of his shares in the company to his daughters Christine and Stephanie Mankel, putting in train a generation change in the organisation’s ownership structure.

Now a further change has taken place at the CEO level. Thomas P. Wagner (42), the former CEO and Managing Director of elevator and escalator manufacturer OTIS Germany, joined DORMA as Dr. Michael Schädlich’s successor on February 1, 2010.

Born in Gaildorf, Baden-Württemberg and holder of a master’s degree in engineering with economics, Thomas P. Wagner held various senior managerial posts in sales at the world’s largest elevator systems manufacturer. He joined the Management Board of OTIS Germany in 2001. In 2002 he assumed international responsibility as Area Director, Eastern Europe Group, stationed at OTIS in Moscow. And in 2006, he was appointed CEO and Managing Director of OTIS Germany.

Also effective February 1, 2010, former members of the DORMA Managing Board Michael Flacke (Finance) and Lothar Linde (Engineering & Production) were appointed Managing Directors of the company Having been with DORMA for a little over 15 years, Dr. Michael Schädlich resigned his executive managerial posts as of January 31, 2010 but will remain in a consultancy capacity with the DORMA Group until expiry of his contract of employment on June 30, 2010.

Friday, February 5th, 2010 Architectural Openings No Comments

More from Dubai: a towering achievement for DORMA

Rising more than 2,700 feet and 160 floors, the Burj Khalifa, formerly Burj Dubai, is the world’s tallest building and represents one of the largest orders ever fulfilled by DORMA Group North America operations.

More than 16,000 pieces of hardware—including hydraulic door closers, exit devices and electrified ML Series Mortise Locks equip the nearly 12,000 doors in the building. DORMA products were specified in a $6.5 million deal forged in July 2004.

“The inclusion of DORMA hardware on this record-breaking structure is a testament to the quality and style our employees put into every product,” says Scott Duncan, President of DORMA Architectural Hardware, part of DORMA Group North America.

An impressive fireworks, laser and fountain display introduced the building, renamed after Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during inaugural proceedings Monday, January 4. About 90 percent of the tower’s luxury residences and offices have been sold. Additionally, the first Armani designed hotel and world’s highest observation deck will continue to attract visitors to the building and reassert a standard for progress in the Middle East for years to come.

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 Architectural Openings, Door Hardware, News No Comments

DORMA products on world’s largest building

The Burj Dubai — the world’s tallest building — opened today in Dubai. An assortment of DORMA products were used throughout the 2,625-foot structure to provide safety and security to its tenants and visitors.

A 2007 article in The Reading Eagle details DORMA’s involvement in the record-breaking project.

Monday, January 4th, 2010 Architectural Openings No Comments

New MAGNEO video shows glass door action

This short clip demonstrates the smooth, gliding action of the MAGNEO automatic sliding door system. MAGNEO is the only sliding door entrance system to utilize LMD technology instead of belts, pulleys, gears or motors. The unparalleled MAGNEO system enables a sliding door to open and close on an electromagnetic “cushion,” reducing wear, noise and maintenance.

Monday, December 21st, 2009 Architectural Openings, Entrance Systems No Comments

DORMA employee, company honored by operations management group

Tad Achenbach, CPIM, Manager, Materials/PIC at DORMA Architectural Hardware’s facility in Reamstown, was named by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) as the Schuylkill Valley Chapter’s “Member of the Year.” He was recognized for his service within APICS, continuing his professional education and training through various APICS sponsored events, and for applying his training in his professional career.

Tad Achenbach, CPIM (left) and Jim Brizek (right) receive awards from an APICS representative.

Tad Achenbach, CPIM (left) and Jim Brizek (right) receive awards from an APICS representative.

Additionally, DORMA Architectural Hardware was honored as the chapter’s “Company of the Year” for its sponsoring of several APICS events plus hosting a factory tour in October 2009 for the APICS and IEMA associations.

APICS is an organization dedicated to the advancement of operations management.

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 Architectural Openings No Comments