Supplement: Enclosures
UV stability, making it less likely to suffer degradation and discolouration. ASA retains many of ABS’s desirable properties – such as strength, resilience and ease of manufacturing – while demonstrating greater resistance to UV light. It also withstands heat, rain and temperature fl uctuations better, making it a smart choice for protecting outdoor electronics. Blending ASA with robust polycarbonate (PC) is an even better option. PC’s toughness is confirmed by its specification for applications such as bullet-proof glass and riot shields. ASA+PC also offers the benefit of UL 94 V-0 flammability resistance. Test samples must be extinguished within five seconds (mean average of 10 successive tests). None of the test samples may burn longer than 10 seconds. None may emit burning particles.
Enclosures moulded from ASA+PC as standard include OKW’s NET-BOX. These slimline wall-mount enclosures are popular for applications including building management, central control units, IoT/IIoT and data systems engineering. NET-BOX can be specifi ed with optional IP 65 ingress protection, making it suitable for sheltered outdoor locations (but not extreme weather).
Industrial electronic enclosures are more likely to be moulded from tougher UV-stable plastics as a matter of course, especially as so many of them are being specifi ed for applications where once diecast housings were seen as the fi rst or only choice.
Advanced SMART-BOX – also a wall-mount enclosure – is a case in point. It too is moulded from ASA+PC as standard. But it provides better ingress protection (IP 66) and can be installed ‘lid closed’, ensuring the seal and electronics remain protected during fi tting or removal. All the mounting and lid screws are concealed beneath hinged side trims that remain connected at all times so they won’t get dropped during installation or inspection. Even very small sensor enclosures are now being moulded from ASA+PC. MINI- DATA-BOX, with its fl anged and unfl anged variants, exemplifi es the new generation of compact IIoT sensor housings that can be found throughout smart factories. Distinctive ‘diamond cut’ lid bevelling sets these IP 65 enclosures apart but their design remains understated – something that is so important for standard housings.
OKW Enclosures marketing director Robert Cox said: “Standard enclosures should always look discreet. They should
never overshadow the electronics they house. And no designer wants their electronics to look like a competitor’s product that is using the same housing. “But that design discretion is no reason for enclosures to look bland – they must inspire. So even the simplest standard housing can feature design touches that give it character while still allowing it to blend in.”
Handheld and wearable enclosures are obvious candidates for UV-stable plastics. Being carried or worn on the body, they are more likely to spend time outdoors. Furthermore, users tend to expect more of these enclosures in terms of ergonomics and aesthetics.
A user may carry the device daily, accessing and operating it repeatedly. It may become almost as important to them as their mobile phone. So, they’ll become more aware and less tolerant of any UV-related blemishes or fragility.
SLIM-CASE (IP 65) is moulded from ASA+PC, with a frameless design that brings the elegance and familiarity of a modern phone-style housing to applications including measurement and control, healthcare, safety engineering and
environmental technology. And although slim in name and appearance, this housing is actually more capacious than it first seems: contoured sides create plenty of space for components and make the enclosure comfortable to hold. Meanwhile, compact and convenient BODY-CASE (IP 65) is moulded from ASA because, although it can be carried loose in a pocket, it’s more likely to be worn on the wrist, suspended from a lanyard or clipped to a belt – so it will be exposed to more UV rays and for longer.
Most standard enclosures will require customisation, usually machining of apertures for controls and interfaces, and printing of legends and logos. Now that can be done faster than ever, thanks to advanced technology and smart designs that require fewer modifi cations.
It pays to partner with a single- source supplier that can carry out all the customisation work in-house. One supplier will be fully accountable for the entire process from start to fi nish. This ensures quality and saves time, money and administration.
https://www.okw.co.uk
In addition to the regular users of the CIE website we get 12,500 new users every year across the globe from Japan to the USA, from China to Germany and many more.
Want to be part of the action?
Then call Tony Patman on 01622 687031 or email
tpatman@cieonline.co.uk www.cieonline.co.uk Components in Electronics April 2025 31
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 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
