ENCLOSURES
How the most versatile 19” rack cases can also be more cost-effective
Increasing demand for cost-effective and variable enclosures H
ow you intend to access your components is critical when it comes to specifying 19” rack cases. It will determine whether or not you can make cost savings, as well as how versatile and customisable those aluminium enclosures will be. Much of it boils down to two interlinked questions. Will you need to open the case while it is still mounted in the rack? Or are you happy to pull the case from the rack first? If your requirement is the former, so opening the front panel while the case is still racked, then your 19” enclosure will need a front bezel. That will make the case more expensive to manufacture and custom heights may not be available, though not all bezels limit the sizing options. It is no coincidence that enclosure manufacturer METCASE’s most popular 19” rack case is COMBIMET. Its front panel extends beyond the sides and is punched with standard obround holes for rack mounting.
COMBIMET’s bezel-less flat front means it can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively in standard heights from 1U to 6U or in custom heights up to 12U. This has also led to new variants within the range; a super-deep 24” (610 mm) version for server racks, an open-top Version T, and a 1U case with a wraparound U-shaped top. This latter variant has no visible fixing screws on the top. METCASE’s VERSAMET 1U 19” rack cases are also bezel-less. Unlike COMBIMET, there are no visible fixing screws at the front, only at the rear and on the underside.
METCASE’s COMBIMET 19” enclosures feature a standard rack front panel for easier customisation “
With METCASE’s UNIMET 19” the front panel can be removed while the unit is still in the rack
It is surprising how little customisation is needed usually. That’s because most of the work centres on the front and rear panels, which are flat and therefore easy to modify.
while the housing is still mounted in the rack. Trims conceal the front panel fixing screws. At first glance, the two models look similar but inside, METTEC has extrusions that act as guide rails for PCB mounting plates, speeding up maintenance.
By contrast, 19” enclosures with bezels enable swift in-rack maintenance. They also offer the opportunity to add extra design highlights by specifying the bezel in a different colour to the main case, though the same can also be said of COMBIMET’s distinctive handles.
”
With their smart bezels, METTEC 19” and UNIMET 19” exemplify this type of housing. In each case, the front panel can be removed
METCASE Marketing Director Robert Cox said “Some rack cases may look alike but subtle differences in the design and construction can make a big difference, particularly if you need to specify the enclosure in a non-standard height.” All standard 19” rack cases will need some form of customisation, usually machining of apertures for controls, and photo-quality printing of graphics, legends and logos. Custom colours and extra fixings or inserts are also popular options.
“It is surprising how little customisation is needed usually. That’s because most of the work centres on the front and rear panels, which are flat and therefore easy to modify. Machining extra ventilation slots into the main case is also simple.”
JUNE 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
