EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => PCB/EDA/CAD => Topic started by: Martin F on October 18, 2017, 04:28:25 am

Title: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: Martin F on October 18, 2017, 04:28:25 am

Hi all,

We are a B2B data logger manufacturer, looking for a new enclosure for our product.
In that regard, we are currently looking for low-cost suppliers that can provide a solution for us - and we'd love to hear any tips/ideas from you all!

What we're looking for:
We're aiming for something ala below examples:
https://vector.com/portal/elemente/product_finder/images/logger/gl1000.jpg (https://vector.com/portal/elemente/product_finder/images/logger/gl1000.jpg)
https://www.dataloggerinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Influx-Rebel-CT-600.jpg (https://www.dataloggerinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Influx-Rebel-CT-600.jpg)

I.e. we’re looking for extruded aluminium/plastic enclosures with two end pieces that are molded to fit our connectors/LEDs/USB.
The supplier should be able to provide the custom drilling required as part of the package - and ship to Europe.

We would really appreciate any inputs on this! Thanks :)

Best,
Martin

Title: Re: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: Jeroen3 on October 18, 2017, 04:42:06 am

Check with Bopla or Hammond mfg.

Title: Re: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: ElektroQuark on October 18, 2017, 07:10:31 am

 don't now about Bopla, but I wouldn't consider Hammond as  low-cost.

Title: Re: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: ahbushnell on October 21, 2017, 12:05:05 pm

Depending on the quantity you might try a custom extrusion vendor.  We made pulsed light units years ago and had reflectors built using custom extrusions.  The tooling was not to bad cost wise and we got exactly what we wanted. 

Andy   

Title: Re: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: fcb on October 21, 2017, 04:45:57 pm

The cases you've linked to are Alubos 800/1000's made by Bopla.  Great quality and used by loads of manufacturers for good reason (I used to have a product range housed in them).

They aren't cheap, but you do get what you pay for.

If you need a low cost extrusion, then AliBaba has a million companies making them, and they are low cost - but again, you kinda get what you pay for (wall thickness is quite thin).  I've designed extrusions before, the tooling is usually sub £1K and the turnaround is short (4-6 weeks), you'll probably have to find someone to chop it up and paint it, or you can get the mill to anodise it (but better to anodise after sawing).  Laser cut end panels and a stamped gasket and you're splashproof at the very least.

Title: Re: Looking for low-cost suppliers of extruded enclosures
Post by: ebclr on October 22, 2017, 03:55:47 pm

This box cost 2.12 USd in china

(https://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/1713213713/TB2AZexXVXXXXXkXXXXXXXXXXXX_!!1713213713.jpg)
(https://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i4/1713213713/TB2vBOuXVXXXXc5XXXXXXXXXXXX_!!1713213713.jpg)