WEARABLE TECH Specify The Right Plastic Enclosure
for Your Wearable Electronics Global demand for wearable electronics is expected to hit $186.14 billion by 2030. Research And Markets last year put the compound annual growth rate at 14.6%. The opportunities are very tempting.
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owever, there are challenges. Users of wearable technology are extremely discerning, so getting the ergonomics right is crucial if your device is worn for extended periods. That also applies to the aesthetics. Remember the first iPod? It may be nearly a quarter of a century ago, but back then the iPod was a revolutionary object of desire. Not because it was the first digital audio player, that was the IXI, invented in 1979, but because Apple obsessed about the ergonomics and useability. Getting the enclosure right was critical; the iPod had to look and feel special.
Where to start? The process for specifying a wearable enclosure begins with two key questions. Who will be wearing the device? What will it be used for? Wearables, like handheld enclosures, are usually small because they must not be an encumbrance. Many are like a good wristwatch: light and well balanced, imperceptible but always there, easy to view and operate, never impeding the user.
Emergency call devices are a prime example. They should be an ever-present faithful friend that protects the wearer 24/7. OKW’s wristwatch-style BODY-CASE was developed with this in mind. Its smooth curves and easy-to-clean high-gloss finish make it pleasant to wear. With a recessed or unrecessed top as standard, it can accommodate a membrane keypad or something simpler, such as a few LEDs. Versatility is vital because users wear devices in different ways; on the wrist, around the neck, clipped to a belt, or simply carried loose in a pocket. BODY-CASE can cope with all those scenarios thanks to an eyelet pocket clip kit accessory. What if your wearable device is significantly larger than a wristwatch, but still needs to be worn on the body? ERGO-CASE is gently contoured and bevelled, but still has enough flat surfaces for mounting controls. Its four sizes range from the wrist-worn XS to the capacious L which fits a belt. Users of sports and leisure electronics can be particularly demanding, subjecting their wearable technology to hard knocks and extreme conditions. That’s why robust
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plastics are important. ABS is a good all- round thermoplastic, noted for its resilience. UV-stable ASA is a better bet for prolonged outdoor use, and IP ratings such as IP 65 provide added ingress protection when the conditions turn wet.
Think also about how your wearable device will be powered. What size cells will it need? Does it offer a choice like ERGO-CASE? (4 x AA, 1 or 2 x 9 V) Will it need a battery compartment or can a button cell be mounted directly on to the PCB? Is inductive charging an option? Does the accessory range include a docking station for charging and data transfer? Is there an option to charge more than one device at the same time? BODY-CASE meets all these requirements.
Consider also how much work, and therefore time/cost, will be needed to customise your preferred standard
APRIL 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
enclosure. How close is it to the perfect finished housing that you envisage? OKW Enclosures Ltd Marketing Director Robert Cox said: “Virtually every enclosure needs some form of customisation. Usually, it’s the machining of apertures for controls or connectors, and the printing of legends and logos.
“Other options include lacquering, decor foils, laser marking, EMC shielding, special materials and assembly of accessories. You’d be surprised how little work is needed to transform an off-the-shelf model into a unique enclosure that’s customised to your exact requirements,” he added.
Enclosures such as award-winning MINITEC are designed to minimise the amount of customisation required.
For more information, view the OKW website:
https://www.okw.co.uk
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