Modular Interlocking Enclosure

[garboui]

Having worked in industrial automation for some time in the past, having modular enclosures for PLC's was almost standard. What I am talking about are systems like the Beckhoff PLC's where there is a main controller then peripheral cards just snap in along side one another. No backplane is needed because there are communication bus contacts on the sides of the cards.

Has anyone ever come across similar enclosures that were COTS items? I would like to try and find a COTS solution first instead of going to a full blown custom injection molded solution. The enclosures can be plastic or aluminum extrusions. Post machining to be able to integrate a contact system is also acceptable.

[ajb]

Are you specifically looking for DIN rail enclosures?  I know Weidmuller have some neat ones, not sure if they have ones that integrate side-to-side connectors.  Given a suitable base housing that you're willing to machine, though, I would think that it's just a matter of a suitable connector mounted at the right height (maybe need a mezzanine board or extra-long pin headers) in the enclosure, isn't it?

[nanofrog]

You might want to take a look at the VMS modular series from GE.

[CM800]

I've been looking out for something like this myself.

the closest I have come is finding some nice little surface mount connectors and designing them in. (pin header and socket)

[nctnico]

TE has hermaphrodituc connectors like these:
http://www.te.com/catalog/common/images/PartImages/pr1954289.jpg
You can have these on a small (passive) backplane which sits in the DIN rail.

[garboui]

Are you specifically looking for DIN rail enclosures?  I know Weidmuller have some neat ones, not sure if they have ones that integrate side-to-side connectors.  Given a suitable base housing that you're willing to machine, though, I would think that it's just a matter of a suitable connector mounted at the right height (maybe need a mezzanine board or extra-long pin headers) in the enclosure, isn't it?

DIN is not a requirement. Connectors at the right height solve one problem (the blade style connectors typically used for laptop batteries work well in this situation) but even finding an enclosure that has the dovetailing to allow easy connection is difficult. Extra hardware to join segments is not preferable.

You might want to take a look at the VMS modular series from GE.

Looks interesting, I will have to take a closer look at these tomorrow.

TE has hermaphrodituc connectors like these:
http://www.te.com/catalog/common/images/PartImages/pr1954289.jpg
You can have these on a small (passive) backplane which sits in the DIN rail.

Having a backplaned arrangement will be a non starter for this project.

EDIT: does anyone have a picture of the inside of one of those beckhoff modules (or similar)? Im interested in seeing how they do the spring loaded wire terminals (sometimes 16 positions) in such a small space.

[nctnico]

As a sidenote: I'd go for a backplane. Having many modules connected through a string of connectors increases the risk of a bad connector causing problems in all the downstream modules. If you insist on using connectors on the side of a module you could look for spring loaded battery terminals like these:
and use a gold plated PCB as the other end.
You can buy readily made DIN rail housings and have them CNC machined cheaply to fit the connector.

[qwaarjet]

phoenix contact have variety of housings like what you are describing
can do a a whole diy PLC system if you like and look fairly similar the the Beckhoff units I have used.
https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a/usen/web/main/products/subcategory_pages/Electronics_housings_P-01/bf184df7-b458-487a-81f6-a86ac6c22e9d

[Jeroen3]

Yes. Phoenix HBUS, ME-TBUS or UT-BUS, or BOPLA Combinorm.
Or you ask any manufacturer to mill out a part of some other random enclosure. They'll do this for quantities.

[dekra54]

Italtronic also might have something that fit your needs. 

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