HOW EASY IS IT TO SPECIFY METAL BRACKETS INSIDE YOUR CUSTOMISED PLASTIC ENCLOSURES?

TWO SPECIALIST TEAMS: ONE STYLISH SOLUTION

A recent project highlights why it’s important to partner with a supplier that specialises in the design, manufacture and customisation of both plastic and metal electronic enclosures.

The customer needed an elegant and robust handheld enclosure for their medical instrumentation. This application is a key specialism for OKW – and for our metal enclosures division METCASE.

We created a customised CARRYTEC plastic enclosure, fitting it with three bespoke internal metal brackets to support a 7" touch screen display and a battery. We were able to bring the expertise of both OKW and METCASE to this project, providing a single-source solution with one point of contact. This ensured quality and accountability from start to finish.

HOW WE CUSTOMISED CARRYTEC

First we created two special brackets fabricated from 2 mm aluminium, providing light but strong support for a touch screen. These left- and right-handed brackets were designed to fit CARRYTEC’s pre-moulded PCB mounting pillars.

Our METCASE team custom-designed the brackets to support the screen at exactly the right height so it would sit flush in the front panel of CARRYTEC. The height had to be exactly right because a self-adhesive label would be positioned across the edge of the display, covering the join between screen and case. This looks smart and makes the unit easier to keep clean – a vital consideration in healthcare environments.

Folded tabs ensured the two brackets remained stable. They were secured with self-tapping screws. Specifying 2 mm aluminium for these brackets ensured there was no flex in them – reinforcing the premium build quality of this instrumentation.

Later in this project, we would create two slightly different 2 mm aluminium brackets to support a different display from another manufacturer. Again, there was the same attention to detail with regard to flush mounting the screen and delivering a premium solution.

The third part was an aluminium support plate which was fitted to the back panel of the CARRYTEC housing. Again, it was custom-designed to fit four PCB mounting pillars moulded into the rear of the case. This plate was also fabricated from rigid 2 mm aluminium, providing solid support for the battery, which was heavier than the screen.

Given that all eight of the enclosure’s PCB pillars were already being used, the aluminium support plate was also fitted with metal standoffs, ready for the installation of the battery and other components. Customisation work also involved drilling and tapping holes in the brackets, and cutting slots in them for the addition of cable ties.

We also machined apertures for connectors on both the left and right side of the plastic housing. These side areas are recessed specifically for this requirement, protecting connectors, interfaces and cable glands.

WHY CARRYTEC FOR THIS SOLUTION?

Customisation projects such as this are best suited to large enclosures – and CARRYTEC is by far our biggest handheld model. This attaché-case-style housing is ideal for a wide range of applications: medical/wellness electronics, laboratory instrumentation, emergency systems, monitoring and alarms, test and measurement, communications, mobile terminals, data collection, Industry 4.0, machine building, construction, agriculture and forestry.

CARRYTEC is tough and capacious, making it perfect for applications requiring touch screen displays and internal batteries. The integrated handle has a soft padded insert for comfortable and convenient portability. It also makes the enclosure easy to manoeuvre when it is mounted inverted on a suspension arm.

The top is recessed to accommodate a display or membrane keypad. Interfaces and connectors are protected by a deep recess on the underside. A battery compartment (5 x AA) can be fitted (machining is required).

CARRYTEC can be specified in either off-white ABS (UL 94 HB) or UV-stable lava ASA+PC (UL 94 V-0), both with the option of IP 54 ingress protection. Choose from three sizes: S 222 x 205 x 80 mm, M 270 x 247 x 42/91 mm and L 348 x 303 x 117 mm.

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CARRYTEC is part of OKW’s extensive range of award-winning electronic enclosures and tuning knobs.

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METCASE – OKW’s metal enclosures division – manufactures modern, advanced instrument enclosures, wall-mount and HMI enclosures, 19” rack mount cases and 19” tabletop mini-racks. All METCASE enclosures can be supplied fully customised. For this project, METCASE’s in-house customisation services were used to manufacture the custom aluminium brackets and support plate.

Learn more about METCASE >>

SPECIFYING CUSTOMISED ENCLOSURES

OKW standard enclosures are always designed with customisation in mind. We carry out all the work in-house to ensure quality and consistency. Services include machining, lacquering, printing, laser marking, decor foils, special materials (custom colours, V-0), EMC shielding, and installation/assembly of accessories. We can also call on our METCASE metal enclosures team to provide bespoke fabricated parts, fixings/inserts and more.

REQUEST A SAMPLE

Request a sample of your preferred plastic enclosure so you can assess it before making a commitment. By requesting a sample, you’ll have the chance to assess the enclosure’s ease of use, compatibility with your components, and its ability to withstand environmental conditions. Additionally, you can test how well it works with your assembly process.

Take the guesswork out of your decision-making and be confident in your choice. With a sample, you’ll be able to experience the quality, durability and practicality of our enclosures firsthand, so you can be sure they meet your exact specifications.

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REGISTER TO DOWNLOAD 3D-MODELS AND DRAWINGS

Download a 3D-Model (x_t, step, sat) of your chosen enclosure and customise the design in your CAD software to ensure all the mounting points, holes and features meet your requirements.

The 3D-Model also lets you experiment with the aesthetics and functionality of the enclosure in a virtual environment, testing different configurations and features. It’s an efficient way to optimise your design – ensuring everything works seamlessly before you proceed to manufacturing. 2D drawings are also available.

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