When we plan to find an electronics enclosure factory for a custom enclosure, we have to consider different aspects of the design of the enclosure, such as size, material, rating systems, and so on. However, most of us usually neglect the manufacturing process of electronics enclosures. Generally speaking, the material determines which manufacturing method is most efficient. Today, the author would list the major and common manufacturing methods to help you get a further understanding of the custom enclosure.
CNC Machining
CNC machining is a versatile, subtractive manufacturing method that chooses digital CAD files as the direct guidance, so as to let the tools shape the component from the block of raw material. This process improves the work efficiency with the advantage of the high repeatability----The engineers could apply a design solution to multiple machines and produce the parts with the same specification at the same time.
Compared with the other manufacturing methods, CNC machining takes the geometrical complexity into the design and offers supper part tolerance. The above two benefits haven’t been seen in the other manufacturing methods before. Another advantage of the CHC machining provides clean and beautiful electronics enclosures---- No open seam happens in the enclosures which are machined from a whole single metal workpiece. However, this method makes the material cost is higher than we expect. Therefore, if you determine to use this method, you have to make a full consideration about the material cost. If you have strong interest with the CNC maching, we have published a article which is all about the CNC machine: What You Need to Know about CNC Machines
Compared with the other manufacturing methods, CNC machining takes the geometrical complexity into the design and offers supper part tolerance. The above two benefits haven’t been seen in the other manufacturing methods before. Another advantage of the CHC machining provides clean and beautiful electronics enclosures---- No open seam happens in the enclosures which are machined from a whole single metal workpiece. However, this method makes the material cost is higher than we expect. Therefore, if you determine to use this method, you have to make a full consideration about the material cost. If you have strong interest with the CNC maching, we have published a article which is all about the CNC machine: What You Need to Know about CNC Machines
YONGU's CNC Machining
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication is an economic method to manufacture electronics enclosures. It is because it incurs material cost is significantly lower than the CNC machining method does. Part of the reason why the material cost is lower is a sheet is sheet metal fabrication can transform a sheet into an open-faced housing with three procedures.
Desktop computers and most outdoor electronics devices enclosures are typical examples of Sheet metal fabrication. This method has high durability enough to cover the shortness of the aesthetic.
Desktop computers and most outdoor electronics devices enclosures are typical examples of Sheet metal fabrication. This method has high durability enough to cover the shortness of the aesthetic.
Injection Molding
This method is a simple and high-efficient machining process that molten plastics are filled with metal mold at high speed. This molding method could simultaneously produce the parts with the same specification in mass. Game controllers, displays, electronic keys are the most common and typical examples of injection molding.
3D Printing
3D technology is one of the most modern technologies for producing electronics enclosures. During the manufacturing process, 3D printing gives more geometric freedom to the structure of the enclosures. For an instance, it could achieve the internal housing channels that are extremely difficult or impossible to be curved
Conclusion
The manufacturing method also is a very vital factor in determining the characteristic of the electronics enclosures. The above three manufacturing methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. You should take their features into the consideration.
