SHOWCASE YOUR INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS IN AN ELEGANT CUSTOMISED ROLEC ENCLOSURE
SPECIFY CUSTOMISED ENCLOSURES – EVEN IN LOW VOLUMES
Customising a proven standard enclosure has long been the smart way to house your industrial electronics. It’s faster and more cost-effective than specifying a fully bespoke housing. And now it’s quicker and easier than ever.
With a wider choice of off-the-shelf designs, and more advanced machining, finishing and printing technology, you can now specify customised enclosures in much lower volumes – making them viable for niche applications. So your innovative electronics get to market sooner.
It doesn’t take much customisation to transform a robust diecast, GRP or plastic enclosure A little machining, a few custom colour highlights, a logo and some legends may be all it takes to make your device stand out from the crowd – underlining its quality.
MACHINING METAL AND PLASTIC ENCLOSURES
Virtually every standard enclosure will need machining to create the apertures necessary for controls, interfaces and a mains power supply. Advances in CNC technology have sped up the machining process significantly.
ROLEC’s CNC machining services include:
- drilling circular apertures for plug connectors, cable glands and LEDs
- tapping metric and other thread types
- milling rectangular apertures for displays, switches and controls
- milling recesses and rebates for keypads and faceplates
- removing internal features such as screw pillars to create more space for components
- fitting made-to-measure transparent windows into enclosure lids.
Our diecast aluminium standard enclosures can be machined at moderate to fast speeds. Intricate machining is possible thanks to the nature of aluminium. The metal dissipates heat quickly, so it supports higher machining speeds without compromising precision.
The polymers we use for our plastic enclosures – ABS, ASA and ASA+PC – are easier to machine because of the lower cutting forces needed. However, precision is needed to avoid overheating, due to the lower levels of thermal conductivity inherent in these plastics.
GRP is also relatively easy to machine. Slow feeds and high speeds during milling help to prevent fraying and chipping at the edges. Drill bits designed for composites can help to stop delamination.
SPECIFY INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES IN CUSTOM COLOURS
Custom-brand or colour-code your enclosures in RAL, Pantone or match-to-sample shades. We offer both powder coating and wet painting. Each method has its pros and cons, based on durability, material compatibility, cost efficiency, choice of colours and finishes, set-up complexity and environmental impact.
Powder provides a thick and even coating with no drips, runs or unevenness (though thinner coatings are less easy). Compared with wet painting, powder coating is generally better for durability and is cost-efficient in bulk.
Curing is quick, speeding up the finishing process for high-volume runs. Powder coating is highly resistant to chipping, abrasion, chemicals and UV exposure. It is also more environmentally friendly than wet painting: there is minimal waste and there are no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Wet painting is excellent for versatility and precision – especially in low-volume or highly customised projects. It is ideal for achieving thin layers, maintaining fine details or coating intricate designs or tight tolerances.
Set-up is simpler than for powder coating, making it suitable for small-batch orders. However, wet painting is less resistant to chipping, scratching and chemicals compared with powder coating. Furthermore, drying times tend to be longer for wet paint.
Special textures and finishes – such as anti-corrosion – are also available. An anti-corrosion finish is recommended for humid, wet and marine environments or where there is a risk of exposure to chemicals or harsh cleaning agents.
ADDING LEGENDS, LOGOS AND GRAPHICS TO YOUR ENCLOSURES
Legends, logos and complex photo-quality graphics can be digitally printed on enclosures. Digital printing is perfect for low-volume orders because the set-up times and costs are lower than for traditional methods.
Ink costs can make digital printing less cost-effective for high volume runs so we offer screen printing as an alternative. However, complex designs can take longer because each colour requires a separate screen.
Screen printing is not recommended for variable data or frequent design changes because this method is more labour-intensive than digital printing. From an environmental point of view, screen printing also uses more ink and generates more waste during set-up and cleaning.
We can also engrave front panels, faceplates and enclosures to your specifications. Engraving is durable and long-lasting. The markings will not fade, peel or erode over time – even in harsh environments. Intricate designs are possible with exceptional clarity and sharpness.
EMC SHIELDING FOR ENCLOSURES
Some ROLEC enclosure models – conTROL and conFORM – have EMC shielding built in as standard. They do not require EMC gaskets because the conductivity needed to block EMI/RFI is achieved with an integrated tooth and rail system cast into the lid and base.
We can supply EMC gaskets for other enclosures that do not have this built-in EMC shielding. It is particularly important for plastic enclosures because of the inherent non-conductivity of the polymers.
Aluminium is an excellent conductor of electricity – but even diecast enclosures can require EMC shielding. This is because non-conductive ingress protection seals and cable grommets can be known points of vulnerability for EMI/RFI.
SPECIFYING ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR ENCLOSURES
Accessories for ROLEC enclosures include a wide selection of cable glands. Options include:
- easy-fit brass cable glands that speed up installation times
- cable glands with pressure compensation – for settings where rapid temperature changes can create condensation in the enclosure
- polyamide cable glands – including some with pull/bending protection.
Specify brass cable glands if you need high strength or heat/corrosion resistance. Or if the environment is harsh, electrical conductivity is important, or if aesthetics are a key factor. Choose polyamide cable glands if you prefer a lightweight, cost-effective solution that resists chemicals, vibration and impact.
Other accessories include terminal blocks, mounting plates, DIN rails and cross rails. We can assemble these for you so your enclosures arrive ‘installation-ready’. Options also include fitting special gaskets or your own specified components.
GET EXPERT TECHNICAL ADVICE
Contact our expert team for specialist advice on customised enclosures – and don’t forget to request a sample so you can experience the quality, ergonomics and aesthetics of ROLEC enclosures.