Freedom of choice: the benefits of specifying enclosures designed for specific applications

The last thing an OEM wants to do is compromise the design of its latest product to suit the enclosure that is available; especially with a short-run item that does not justify the cost of designing and moulding a bespoke solution.

Alan Lewis, Business Development Manager for Retex UK, looks at the design criteria of modern electrical applications and explains how companies like Retex UK have developed their standard product ranges to suit market requirements.

Modern day electromechanical devices are available in a myriad of shapes and sizes; from key fobs used to disarm alarms, to desktop control and monitoring equipment, medical devices, the list goes on. When it comes to sourcing an enclosure to house the device, each application is likely to features a slightly different set of requirements. While some projects will justify the outlay of a completely bespoke enclosure the majority won’t. In these cases it’s vital that designers and production teams have an understanding of how their needs may already be catered for by an existing enclosure design.

Product Footprint

As technology develops, users are placing increased value on how small a device can be. Ultimately the size of the enclosure defines the overall dimensions of a product, therefore it is important to consider the ideal size during specification. Obviously there is no point in specifying an enclosure which is too small, but ultimately you may reduce the functionality and desirability of your product by specifying an enclosure with larger dimensions than necessary.

Most leading enclosure manufacturers are aware of the increased pressures on Design Engineers to offer reduced sizes. As such they should offer numerous dimension options for their leading product ranges. For example, Retex UK offers users a range of sizes which span from small key fobs all the way up to 19” instrument cases which are compatible with industry standard racks as well as suitable for desktop applications.

Design Outline ##IMAGE_3_R##

When asked to describe an enclosure, the first word that many people reach for is ‘box’. This term may be misleading as it summons images of a uniform rectangular shape which offers little room for flexible design innovation. While it’s true that many enclosures do match this shape – it is after all the optimal design in terms of maximum volume for internal wiring – a well developed product range should accommodate the many varying requirements which may be found.

Many manufacturers offer a range of enclosures which are designed specifically for hand held devices. Here design requirements include comfort in the hand and an understanding of the expected dexterity of the average user. By rounding off the corners and producing edges which feature a slight curve, manufacturers are able to make products which fit comfortably in the hand. Equally they may reduce the width and depth of the product to allow the thumb of the hand holding the device a wider range of movement.

Slightly more difficult to accommodate are desktop enclosures which may be required to sit in many different locations or offer varying viewing angles. A standard solution for many manufacturers is to offer a traditional rectangular ‘box’ or a custom solution to create a bespoke shape for the OEM’s application.

Bespoke tooling can be costly however and typically results in increased lead times. This is why Retex UK has developed an extended range of desktop solutions to accommodate the majority of industry requirements. This includes instrument cases with retractable feet, so the enclosure can either lie flat on a surface or at an angle and sloping enclosures with a viewing panel which is raised at a second, steeper angle.

Internal Layout

As important as the external dimensions of an enclosure are, the internal design ultimately determines the suitability of a product to any given application. Different fixing points will be required depending on the internal wiring of the product. For instance there may be a requirement to fix a terminal block in place or to securely mount a PCB. Battery powered applications may also require separate compartments which can be accessed separately.

Having spent many years working with OEM’s to develop solutions for applications across many industries, Retex UK is able to offer a range of internal ‘maps’ for each of its product series which means the majority of designs can be accommodated within the product range. Options include PCB mounts integrated into the internal enclosure wall, which allow the card to simply slide into place, and battery compartments with separation walls for AA or AAA or a PP3 battery for example.

Specification

When specifying an enclosure the best way to ensure that you source the right solutions is to find a manufacturer that can act as a specification partner rather than simply a supplier. Speak to them about your design and ask how different products in their range might suit your needs. While customisation is a fantastic way of tweaking a design to your needs, finding a standard product which closely matches them in the first place will save you time and money further down the line.
To find out more about the range of products available from Retex UK, and the services available to help find the best product for your application, contact a member of the expert sales team.