Advances in design and technology have made it quicker, easier, and more cost-effective to specify customized electronic enclosures.
By Sean Bailey, President at OKW Enclosures.
Two key trends have made it easier to specify advanced electronic enclosures within budget. First, standard housings have become more specialized. Second, new technology has made customization viable for lower-volume orders.
Customizing a standard enclosure is almost always faster and more cost-effective than opting for a fully bespoke housing—especially where plastic and diecast aluminum are concerned (because of tooling costs). And now, designers are less likely to need a bespoke enclosure because the choice of customizable standard models is so wide. Simple boxes have been superseded by standard housings developed for highly specialized applications.
To succeed, a standard enclosure must overcome two great design dilemmas: it must be application- specific and yet versatile, and ergonomic and attractive but not overly distinctive. Plastic enclosures have led the way in the drive for more specialist standard housings. For example, it’s now possible to specify an off-the-shelf handheld enclosure with a trigger for scanning and data collection, or dual-face housings for contactless/ card-swiping point-of-sale.
But even specialized standard enclosures can have multiple uses. Desktop housings can be wall mounted. A briefcase- style handheld enclosure can be inverted for fitting to a suspension arm (the integrated handle makes it easier to adjust the viewing angle).
Fabricated metal enclosures have also undergone a significant transformation in recent years. They are being manufactured to finer tolerances with greater emphasis on flush-fitting bezels and concealed fixings, thereby creating a smart, modern look.
Aesthetics have also been an important factor in the evolution of IP-rated diecast, glass-fiber reinforced (GRP), and UV-stable plastic enclosures for industrial electronics. Furthermore, HMI enclosures for panel PCs and touch screens can now be specified in bespoke sizes to within a millimeter; it’s customization as standard, if that’s not a contradiction.
These specialized designs mean that enclosures need fewer modifications. And any customization work that is required now takes less time. CNC machining is quicker and more efficient, while photo-quality digital printing has lower set-up costs than traditional methods. This is particularly useful in the manufacture of enclosures for niche applications.
Plastic enclosures can be transformed with a wider choice of lacquers. These include varying sheens from matt to glossy, color tones and metallics, soft-touch artificial leather or velvet, antibacterial, and ESD conductive lacquers to prevent electrostatic discharge. Laser marking makes light work of machine-readable QR codes, DataMatrix codes, barcodes, and consecutive numbering of individual parts. Other customization options for plastic housings include decor foils, special materials, and RFI/EMI shielding.
Fabricated aluminum rack cases and instrument enclosures can also be custom machined, painted/ powder coated and printed. Options include bespoke sizes, custom front panels, and fixings/inserts.
Customization is also available for industrial electronic enclosures: drilling, milling, engraving, custom colors, printing, RFI/EMI shielding, display windows, and assembly of accessories.
It is important to partner with a specialist enclosures manufacturer that carries out all customization work in-house. This ensures quality and accountability at every stage of the process. It saves time and money, and reduces administration, logistics costs, and carbon emissions.