With the growing demand for remote monitoring, tracking, and process control – cost effective, robust enclosures solutions are needed to house the electronics.  Factors to consider in selecting an enclosure include:

● Environment (sealing required, waterproofing, vibration)

● Mounting

● EMI Shielding Effectiveness needed

● Volume

For many applications – an aluminum enclosure – is often the perfect solution. Aluminum provides a lightweight and rugged package.  In addition – it can be either extruded or die cast.   Low to medium volume situations – an extruded solution is typically more cost effective.  Not only tooling costs are significantly lower – but the minimum lot sizes can be very low.  Extrusions also provide a level of flexibility when it comes to embedding features such as flanges for mounting, pcb mounting/guides, or connector mounting – into the enclosure. These save money from both a material and labor cost.

For high volume – where the tooling is justified to reduce the piece part price – the aluminum enclosures can be converted to die cast from extrusions.  Die casting often offers additional flexibility in terms of shape and embedding features.

Some examples of the types of applications where robust enclosures are key include:

● GPS and tracking devices on vehicles (from buses to trucks to military vehicles)

● Process control instrumentation

● Communication devices for sensors

● Industrial camera

● Repeaters