Bespoke Controlled Drugs Cabinets

• Step One is to find out what the customer requires from their controlled drugs cabinet or Medicine cabinet. We discuss the size, number and position of shelves required. Also, how many doors, the types of locks that are required and whether it is wall or floor fixing.
• Step Two we prepare an engineering drawing of the bespoke controlled drugs cabinet. This drawing will be used to manufacture the drugs cabinet once it has been approved by the client. To obtain client approval, we send a copy of the drawing and then talk it through with them to ensure they are happy with every aspect and make any changes necessary.
• Step Three we ask the client to pay our pro forma invoice. We ask for payment before manufacture commences because as it is a bespoke controlled drugs cabinet we would not be able to resell the unit if the customer fails to pay.
• Step Four will see us preparing the drawings for the profiles required for the laser cutting process. This requires producing a developed shape of the various parts of the cabinet which will require calculating the bend allowances for each bend to achieve the correct overall size when the cabinet is formed and subsequently welded together.
• Step Five will be bending the parts that have been laser cut. We do this using a machine called a “press brake”. This machine has a top tool in the shape of a V and a bottom tool with a matching female V. When the steel to be bent is placed between the two tools with the bend line in the correct position the two tools are brought together, and a bend is formed.
• Step Six has the various bent parts of the controlled drugs cabinet assembled and tack welded. Tack welds are small welds that hold the parts together temporarily, so we can check the cabinet fits properly and is the correct size. When we are happy with everything the cabinet is welded. Controlled drugs cabinets are required to be fully welded, this is not a requirement of a Medicine cabinet however. We use a method of welding called TIG (tungsten inert gas) which offers a neat weld bead and requires minimal weld dressing. At this stage the anchor plates are fitted to reinforce the fixing holes in the back or base of the cabinet dependant on whether it is a wall or floor fixed drugs cabinet.
• Step Seven will require us to remove the surplus weld using a sander to achieve a smooth finish prior to powder coating. All edges are filled and de-burred.
• Step Eight fits the door or doors to the body of the drugs cabinet.
• Step Nine we’re almost finished now. We send the controlled drugs cabinets and Medicine cabinets over the yard to our powder coating shop to be finished. This involves special applicator guns, when the fine particles of powder are applied with up to 100,000 volts of positive static charge then sprayed on the surface being powder coated. Coated parts are earthed so the charged particles adhere until fused to a solid coat after passing through the curing oven. The powder and the metal part being coated have opposing electrical charges, the powder sticks to the surface of the part. This static charge pulls the powder to all the awkward spaces difficult to reach using wet paint techniques. Parts pass in front of the operator on an overhead conveyor line where the powder is applied as described above. Parts when coated with powder continue along the conveyor where they pass through a tunnel oven and bake for approx. 12 to 20 minutes at 180 degrees. While in the oven, the powder is fused to a smooth coating with a consistent, heavy-duty and high-quality finish, without runs or drips. The parts continue round the conveyor, leaving the tunnel oven where they are allowed to cool and are then removed, checked and packed ready for dispatch.
• Step Ten is where we assemble and pack the controlled drugs cabinet and attach the labels and instructions required by the misuse of drugs (safe custody) regulations 1975. The completed and packaged bespoke controlled drugs cabinet is placed on a carrier for dispatch to the client.

You can see more on how we manufacture standard and bespoke controlled drug cabinets by following this link. It will take you to our manufacturing website.