WDS releases retained hand knobs with internal thread

WDS Components has released new styles of retained hand knobs with lanyards in an internal thread fit. The UK manufacturer and supplier of standard parts and components has extended its range of retained hand knobs, adding to its existing external thread designs.

The retained design prevents loss, giving advantages in safety, cost saving, and ease of use. Retained hand knobs come in three lanyard styles and are made from stainless steel, enabling use across a variety of heavy-duty applications.

The new retained design gives a practical advantage by enabling the hand knob to remain attached to its host application with a durable lanyard, even when it has been unscrewed. The new design follows market demand with the majority of hand knobs requested for supply with internal thread.

Retained hand knobs can be used on machinery including vehicles to enhance safety by preventing the loss of protective guards. The lanyard-equipped hand knobs can also be used to protect people when securing items at height, such as stage and theatre equipment. The retained devices also protect machinery from damage that could be caused by drops, and the design also minimises the cost of frequent loss. Used in locations with resupply challenges, such as the marine environment, the lanyard attachment also gives practical benefit.

The retained hand knobs with internal thread are available in sizes M6, M8, and M10. The design features a standard four-lobe, DIN 6335 style and are constructed throughout from high grade 316 stainless steel, giving them strength and durability. 316 stainless steel also maintains its structural integrity at high temperatures, making the hand knobs suitable for applications exposed to heat or thermal cycling.

Lanyard styles include a braided stainless steel cable with a nylon sheath. This style minimises marking o host equipment, and optimises strength, making it suitable for use in anti-corrosion environments such as marine applications. There’s also a version with a stainless steel ball-and-chain lanyard without the nylon sheath, making it suitable for hygienic environments such as food preparation areas or medical settings. A third variant with a keyring attachment also enables a label reference to be added to the location. The hand knobs are available in both polished and matt finishes.

The WDS retained hand knob with internal thread is a design that is unique to the market, affording greater security and strength. Most internal thread hand knobs currently available on the market include a lanyard attached with a spring clip. This design is used because of the challenge in attachment between the lanyard and knob. However, spring clips can be removed, creating both a security and safety risk. Instead, the new WDS development is hand made, and the lanyard is permanently fixed, meaning that it cannot be removed except with high force.