August/September 2011 - PAWPRINT PUBLISHING

FURNITURE FITTINGS & COMPONENTS
Blue Diamond helps Optima door hinges stay
quiet and smooth
OPTIMA is a leading supplier of
high performance partitioning
systems used in prestigious
buildings including banks,
building societies and health
care providers. For Optima,
quality is paramount, so when
the company began to experience
noise and judder with the
hinges on its range-topping
glass doors, fast action was required
to change the design and
find an alternative supplier.
Optima contacted Blue Diamond,
a company with many
years’ experience in the design
and sourcing of engineering components
and assemblies in a variety
of materials. This experience
includes the design and manufacture
of similar hinges for glass
products that include sliding
wardrobe systems and external
windows and doors.
“We approached Blue Diamond
to re-engineer our hinges to ensure
quiet and smooth operation,”
said James Durham, supply chain
manager at Optima. “This included
NEWS
News from Vertongen
VERTONGEN BVBA, the specialist
Belgian manufacturer of machinery
for window and door
product, has recently introduced
a new sales policy for the
UK machinery market.
Vertongen has reached an exclusive
agreement with RJ Woodworking
Machinery Ltd of St
Helens, Lancashire, and R & J Machinery
of Mallory Park, Leicestershire,
to sell, distribute and service
its range of Pentho Compact
Single End Tenoners in the UK.
Both well established companies
will stock a Vertongen Compact
Tenoner in their respective
showrooms to show and demonstrate
to potential customers, and
improving the design and appearance
and, where possible, taking
cost out of the assembly.”
The hinge assembly itself is
made from stainless steel with a
brushed finish and was being supplied
as separate components
which had to be assembled before
being shipped out to customers.
Optima wanted Blue Diamond to
improve the look and finish of the
hinge, as well as delivering the assembly
fully labelled in a box
ready for despatch: four variations
were required for each of the four
corners of the door.
The engineers and designers at
Blue Diamond discovered that a
poorly-fitted plastic bush was
causing the hinge to judder on the
closing mechanism and the large
glass doors acted as an amplifier
so any little noise became exaggerated.
Working closely with Optima,
Blue Diamond was able to modify
the existing design, meeting all
the mechanical and aesthetic requirements
as well as enhancing
they will be assisted when required
by Gerry Lynch, Vertongen’s UK
sales agent since the year 2000.
RJ Woodworking Machinery will
cover the North of England and
Scotland, and R & J Machinery will
cover the Midlands and Southern
England.
This new sales strategy will enable
Gerry Lynch to concentrate
on the sales and promotion of
Vertongen’s new Control range of
CNC controlled automatic
tenoners, profilers and one man
operated window lines.
Gerry Lynch
Tel 01743 353254
Email gerry.lynch@talk21.com
www.vertongen.be
durability. All drawings were originated
by Blue Diamond using its
advanced CAD-based systems and
prototypes were produced for
testing and appraisal. These were
sourced by Blue Diamond from
one of their approved suppliers in
the Far East who, once Optima was
satisfied, could then produce parts
in high volume to Blue Diamond’s
stringent quality control standards.
Packaging, too, played a significant
role in the part played by Blue
Diamond, with each of the four
different assemblies supplied to
Optima carefully packed in a
clearly labelled cardboard box,
ready for shipping to customers.
“We are delighted with the new
hinges being supplied by Blue Diamond,”
continued James Durham.
“They have enabled us to take advantage
of overseas sourcing in
the confidence that there will be
no shortfall in quality.”
Blue Diamond Technologies Ltd
Tel 023 8025 8966
Email bdsales@rolway.com
www.blue-diamond.co.uk
Handles from Armac Martin
SOMETIMES the simplest statement in the kitchen is the most effective.
This purposeful range from Armac Martin is available in three
overall sizes, 230 mm, 108 mm and 64 mm, the latter being ideally
suited to spice drawers.
As in all Armac Martin Birmingham made solid brass products, the full
range of finishes will be available, particularly the ever popular satin and
polished nickel and chromes.
For the client, though, who wants something a bit different, speak to
the bespoke/special/custom department.
That department now accounts for nearly half of Armac Martin’s factory’s
production!
Armac Martin
Tel 0121 359 2111
Email gary@martin.co.uk ● www.martin.co.uk
Panel, Wood & Solid Surface August/September 2011 Page 17