enclosures
Innovation in design of today’s enclosure


Enclosures manufacturers have been faced with new challenges in recent years as designers have become disatisfied with square boxes and demand innovation. Robert Cox of OKW Enclosures explains

Over the last few years the UK enclosures marketplace has become increasingly competitive, partly because of the number of products being offered, but also because custom moulding became economic for lower volume runs. As a result, enclosures manufacturers have had develop new and more innovative designs in order to satisfy the growing needs of designers of electronics and electrical equipment.

Design engineers have demanded more than simple rectangular boxes in the standard colours of grey, black or beige. These simple enclosures were trying to be all things to all people, and considerable modification was often needed in order to fit the components.

The pressure on enclosure manufacturers has therefore been to develop new kinds of enclosures that integrate more easily, both mechanically and visually, with modern applications. The ability to accept LCD display modules, PCMCIA cards and rechargeable battery packs for portable devices such as test and measurement, data loggers, medical equipment, etc is a typical example.

In this article we have focussed on the key product offerings from three innovative enclosures manufacturers. Ergonomic cases follow body contours OKW Enclosures has recently introduced the ground-breaking Ergo- Cases'. Three years ago, OKW's design team set out to develop an ergonomic 'body-hugging' enclosure system, which would be ideal for medical and mobile instrumentation, and would allow design engineers to develop electronic devices that could be strapped onto the user's body. Thus a whole new range of electronics applications could be catered for.



Traditional rectangular enclosures can be uncomfortable when worn on a belt and are certainly not suitable for strapping directly onto the arm or leg of a person. The 'Ergo-Cases' feature special contoured surfaces, which allow them to sit comfortably on the user's arm using a strap, or be worn on a belt around their waist.
Ergonomic cases follow body contours
OKW Enclosures has recently introduced the ground-breaking Ergo- Cases'. Three years ago, OKW's design team set out to develop an ergonomic 'body-hugging' enclosure system, which would be ideal for medical and mobile instrumentation, and would allow design engineers to develop electronic devices that could be strapped onto the user's body.

Thus a whole new range of electronics applications could be catered for. Traditional rectangular enclosures can be uncomfortable when worn on a belt and are certainly not suitable for strapping directly onto the arm or leg of a person. The 'Ergo-Cases' feature special contoured surfaces, which allow them to sit comfortably on the user's arm using a strap, or be worn on a belt around their waist.
They are moulded in ABS (UL 94 HB) in off-white RAL 9002 or black RAL 9005. The top and base clip together and are secured by two self-tapping screws.

The base part includes an access plate and aperture, into which can be fitted three types of battery cradle for 4 x 1.5V AA, 1 x 9V or 2 x 9V cells.

The cases can be sealed to IP54 for outdoor use, and have a recess in the top for mounting membrane keypads. The front end is ideal for fitting cables for probes or sensors. Internal pillars provide mounting for PCB's. An eyelet accessory is used to fit the cases to the arm strap or belt accessories, which can be ordered separately.
aluCASE range addresses die-cast criticisms
Rolec has introduced the aluCASE range of IP66 die-cast aluminium enclosures - the company claims to have introduced many new innovations with this product.

After extensive market research Rolec has answered many of the criticisms of standard die-cast housings. For example, when fitting membrane keypads or control panels to the aluCASE, no cropping around the case fixings is necessary, as a recessed area in the top is already provided. Also in the past, unsightly hinges and screws would be visible, but with the aluCASE the modern integrated hinge design has no visible fixings, while clip-on trims, in plastic or in aluminium, are supplied to hide the case and wall fixings.
Extras such as wall brackets are no longer needed as the range incorporates screw ports for wall mounting, even when the unit is assembled, and accessories are not required to keep the lid retained as two straps are now included.

Another option for this innovative range of enclosures is a key lock incorporated in the hinge assembly, offering a better design than traditional key locks. The aluCASE range is ideal for housing both electronic and electrical devices.
It’s all in-hand, with the latest slimline M-Series range

The latest range of enclosures from US manufacturer Serpac, the M-Series, features an attractive and slim line design and is ideal for handheld and portable electronics.

The M-Series is available in three off the shelf sizes of 71.1 x 51.6 x 18mm (M-4), 105.4 x 61 x 21.6mm (M-6) and 177 x 61 x 21.6mm (M-8).

Each M-Series is supplied with a removable end panel and includes a battery compartment as standard. The M-4 can accommodate one AA battery, with the M-6 and M-8 accommodating two AA batteries or one 9V battery.

The above are just a few examples of the new specialised approach to enclosure design which has become so important to ensuring success in this highly competitive market.

The benefits for the electronics industry are clear. It is now possible to find an 'off-the-shelf' enclosure that not only looks like a bespoke design, but it also works like one, with far lower costs of customisation, even for low volume orders .

T: 01489 583853
F: 01489 583863
e: sales@okw.co.uk
w: www.okw.co.uk
EDI-new-products-wk18-2005