With the proliferation of business-critical control equipment in the factory and on the shop floor, many executives require a scalable, configurable enclosure for their sensitive electronics. With the proliferation of business-critical control equipment in the factory and on the shop floor, many executives require a scalable, configurable enclosure for their sensitive electronics. To provide more versatility and a smaller footprint for users, modular enclosures consist of a basic structure formed by an inner metal frame supporting an outer “shell” that can be composed of a variety of materials. Taking into account the enclosure’s environment and the electronics it houses, modular enclosures offer users a variety of popular materials and design features:
Environmental Protection
Like traditional unibody designs, modular enclosures can be certified to tough industry standards giving them the same environmental rating. While there are many possible types of physical stressors in a plant or plant, modular hull designs can accommodate each one using a variety of building materials. Before deciding on your choice of materials, first consider whether the enclosure’s environment could include stress factors such as tampering, shock, water leakage, mold, corrosion, or any other potential source of damage. It is also wise to develop a flexible design to accommodate future modifications.
Climate control
Among the benefits offered by modular design, one of the key benefits is the ability to be compartmentalized. One of the main advantages of modular designs is their ability to be separable, for example, to accommodate separate pieces of IT equipment such as servers and smart devices. If you require internal climate control for your electronics, many modular enclosures are equipped with thermal insulation accessories.
The compartmentalization and thermal insulation function allows users to store different types of electronic equipment in the same housing, each with its own cooling requirements. This eliminates the need to supply multiple cabinets and climate control systems. For example, instead of a larger system, users can install a compact cooling system to thermally insulate the interior or even keep it below ambient temperature, which reduces power consumption.
EMI / RF shielding
EMI / RF shielding
Radio frequency interference (RFI), which always dominates certain electronics and communications equipment, is expected to increase only due to the sheer number of wireless devices used in industry. If left unattended, these electrical signals can affect the operation and performance of your electronic equipment. Likewise, electromagnetic interference is caused by welding equipment and most electronics with changeover contacts, which cause small arcs or sparks that give off electromagnetic energy. In some enclosure applications, users need to prevent external electromagnetic interference and / or prevent devices inside from similarly interfering with other nearby devices. Various enclosure designs offer different levels of protection against external EMI and RFI.
Visual transparency
The viewing window can save users a lot of time; otherwise they would waste time opening the case to check the electronics inside. Windows can also provide a view to display indicators or dashboards that display values that are important to the process. Many window materials are available for a variety of applications. Glass is not recommended for modern hull windows due to its higher cost, weight and relative lack of thermal insulation. Newer and more durable options include.
Ease of modification
The modular design allows users to easily replace parts with new ones and modify panels in a safe, ergonomic manner, increasing personnel safety and saving time and labor. When choosing a case, be sure to consider possible modifications in the future. While thick steel provides excellent protection, its hardness also makes cutting and modification difficult and time-consuming.
Unibody modular enclosures are thicker and much more difficult to modify than modular enclosures, which are lighter and offer more door and panel placement options. Thanks to the modular housing, you may not need to weld or cut material at all. Designed to customize as needed, they offer turnkey solutions that are interchangeable with standard panels, reducing the need for metal cutting tools to make changes.
