Furniture end caps are elements that often go unnoticed. This may be because of how small they are, or due to lack of knowledge about their production, manufacture and uses. Regardless of the reason, the outcome is that end caps have been, and are, frequently under-appreciated.
But for some time now, furniture manufacturers and companies such as FORTAPS, specialising in the manufacture of this type of product, have seen for themselves the added value of using end caps.
Summary of the benefits of end caps for furniture
Furniture end caps have many functions, all of which are highly useful in our day-to-day lives.
Safety
The addition of end caps to certain pieces of furniture serves to ensure the safety of those who use them. Their use is particularly advisable in certain types of stools and chairs. Whether round, square, oval or rectangular, end caps serve to prevent any potential slipping or sliding.
Protection
Apart from the benefit mentioned above, they also serve to protect the surfaces on which they are placed. It is common for furniture usage to involve dragging and shifting which, especially on some floors, can be particularly harmful. The use of the furniture end caps as the contact points for chair and table legs will safeguard floors from being scratched or damaged.
Decoration
Sometimes end caps can also be used simply as decoration. They can be the perfect complement to a well thought-out design. Moreover, the possibility of harnessing customised solutions adds an aesthetic touch to the structure of the furniture.
Levelling of height
Some end caps have a specific application, in addition to those already mentioned. These are levelling feet or adjustable end caps. As their name suggests, they are used to adjust the length of chair and table legs to achieve the desired height.
As you can see, there’s much to be said about the usefulness of furniture end caps. However, it is also important to emphasise that, in order to correctly fulfill all their functions, they must be made to a precise and specific manufacturing process. We’ll tell you about this below.
The manufacture of FORTAPS furniture end caps
At FORTAPS, we work to the quality standards laid down by ISO 9001:2015. Within the scope of this standard, we manufacture a wide variety of end caps: square, rectangular, oval as well as levelling feet. Our output follows a path involving three different stages.
Designing furniture end caps
The design of the pieces is the first and fundamental step in our production. In order to adapt to the various calibres of tubing, outer flanges are used. To ensure the piece can be inserted with only light pressure, a split flange, of smaller diameter, serves to hold it in place. The interior of the pieces is designed with a grooved pattern, to maximise flexibility and enable easier insertion. And, in the large pieces, some inner ribs are added. This enables pressure to be maintained on the tubing, to prevent it from being removed too easily.
Choice of materials
It is important to bear in mind the surfaces on which the end caps will be used, as some materials are more suitable than others, depending on the type of flooring. For example, if the furniture end caps are going to rest on carpet, one should try to ensure that they do not sink in. In this case, the hardest end caps are the most suitable, while if the floor is delicate, rubber end caps make the best choice. At FORTAPS, we are committed to using virgin raw materials, given that they are easier to recycle.
Creation of our own moulds for furniture end caps
Working within the ISO 9001:2015 standard means undertaking our work with our own moulds, designed by ourselves. To this end we use calibrated steels (drawn or turned), this being a viable option for parts that do not require excessive work.
Injecting the parts
Low-density polyethylene is the material we use to inject the pieces. This method consists of injecting the molten material into a closed pressure mould. But high-density polyethylene is also to be found in our production. This is more suitable for parts that require greater rigidity and resistance, such as flanges and threads. And thermoplastic rubber is the material of choice for anti-slip products. In addition, we are committed to the use of recyclable materials.
Finishes
As for the finishes of our pieces, we usually opt for neutral colours, white or black. It is however also possible to use the extensive RAL range of hues, based on groups dominated by a main colour, from which similar tones are derived. Our furniture end caps are for everyone. We work for both individuals and companies in the hospitality industry as well as public and private organisations that require high performance from their furniture: hospitals, schools, etc.
In all our output we guarantee the utmost quality, both in materials and over the course of production processes. Our priority is the satisfaction of our customers. That’s why, in addition to our extensive catalogue, we also offer tailor-made solutions.
Write to us, call us, or come and see us and we will be happy to attend to you.
