Author Topic: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures  (Read 3688 times)

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Offline gboopTopic starter

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Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« on: June 09, 2011, 02:42:34 am »
I am looking for small metal electronic enclosures for a circuit board. Looking for about 6 x 5 inches in size and three inches high.  Hoping to find a source at $3 to $4 US for small quantities.  I am located in the U.S.  Any ideas for a good source?    I am finding the pricing at the normal distributors such as Digikey, etc. too pricey.

Thanks.
 

Offline sacherjj

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2011, 02:49:28 am »
For a metal enclosure at that price, you are going to have a hard time.

I use allelectronics.com for boxes.  They have some Aluminum cast boxes that are nice and cheaper than other places.  5.23"x5.3"x2" for under $10 is not bad.  I doubt you will find a metal box that size for those prices.  For $3-4, you have to go with plastic.
 

Offline Armin_Balija

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2011, 02:51:21 am »
Even with plastic enclosures of that size you'd be hard pressed to find them at $3-4. I use digi-key for anything electronics related usually unless I can find a better deal.
 

Offline gboopTopic starter

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2011, 03:02:01 am »
This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.
 

Offline DavidDLC

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2011, 03:19:28 am »
How many do you need ?
 

Offline gboopTopic starter

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2011, 03:40:50 am »
I will need 10 for a proto run and then another 80 to 120 over the following 12 months.  The numbers are not huge.
 

Offline Armin_Balija

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2011, 05:28:35 am »
How much would it cost to buy sheet metal? If it were me I'd use a vice and a blowtorch and hammer myself an enclosure..or even cut one up and build one.
 

Offline sacherjj

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2011, 01:01:53 pm »
This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.

That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs.  If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money.  Can't get something better for nothing.
 

Offline gboopTopic starter

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Re: Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2011, 02:55:03 am »
This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.

That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs.  If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money.  Can't get something better for nothing.

This is the path I am pursuing.  Looks like we will have some success.
 


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