Metal Enclosures, Cases and Covers

Overview of Metal Enclosures and Covers

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Metal enclosures are solid metal cases or covers that are carefully engineered and manufactured to suit a particular application. The components are most often used to surround and protect critical components. They’re often used such as shielding expensive equipment from the elements or anywhere where moisture or contaminants are a concern. Alternatively, some metal enclosures perform the opposite function, containing the internal components of a system so that they don’t leak into the environment or into adjacent compartments.

To best protect their contents, industrial metal enclosures vary significantly depending on their application. For instance, metal enclosures may be small enough to encapsulate a battery, or big enough to cover a large piece of machinery. Similarly, their shape depends on the shape of the equipment to be protected. Enclosures are commonly square, rectangular, or cylindrical, although custom shapes are also available to conform to unusual geometries. In all cases, the most effective enclosures are customized to the appropriate dimensions and systems, ensuring that they are exactly the right size for their application without wasting unnecessary space.

When engineered appropriately, metal cases and enclosures keep dust, moisture, and chemicals from harming sensitive machinery, while also preventing pollutants from escaping into the environment. As a result, they are highly valued across industries, especially in those with extreme conditions and expensive or sensitive system equipment.

To summarize, metal enclosures and cases either keep things in or keep things out of a system. This can include applications such as:

Acting as a shock barrier for vibration or movement
Containing corrosive or harmful materials or fluids within the enclosed portion in the case of failure
Preventing outside contaminants, such as dust or dirt, from entering the system
Protecting internal components from outside fluids, chemicals, UV rays or environmental factors during use

Metal Enclosure Manufacturing Processes

Metal enclosures are engineered to be customized to their applications, as the manufacturing processes involved to create them. Manufacturers employ a range of metal fabrication techniques to craft rugged, precisely-formed enclosures.

Metal stamping processes are commonly used for this type of component. These processes form flat sheet metal into simple or complex shapes.

Deep drawn stamping is especially useful for enclosures that need to be taller than they are wide, such as those that protect cylindrical tanks. In these applications, deep drawn stamping yields seamless and durable enclosures with high precision. This type of manufacturing is also ideal for reducing the number of joined edges or material seams on a part, therefore reducing the likelihood of component failure or the need for material reinforcement at weaker seams.

Progressive die stamping, which enables continuous production with dramatic shaping, is also useful for enclosures with more complicated configurations. The progressive die process allows a material to be adjusted in small increments to reduce the amount of material fatigue and increase the final component’s strength.

Finishing processes are also practical and popular for the manufacture of these components. Regardless of the material or fabrication technique, metal enclosures often call for additional processing to harden and strengthen the case. Finishing processes like annealing, hardening, or other heat treatment help prepare metal enclosures for the most extreme environments, including corrosive or extreme temperature settings.

Industrial Applications of Metal Enclosures and Shapes

Metal enclosures are useful in virtually any industry that employs sensitive or expensive equipment, whether it be batteries, electrical systems, or drilling equipment. The right metal enclosure protects these systems from dirt, contaminants, and fluids, preserving their functionality and preventing downtime. Industrial enclosures similarly prevent dust buildup that can reduce product quality and interfere with proper equipment function over time. Secure, well-fitted metal enclosures are the best way to minimize these risks and keep systems at optimal performance.

Industries that often employ custom enclosures to protect their electronics include:

Food and beverage
Solar battery storage
Pharmaceutical processing
Automotive manufacturing
Electronics
Industrial machinery
Medical
Printing

Learn more about the industries we serve here.

Key Benefits of Metal Enclosures

Metal enclosures offer a number of key advantages over plastic or glass casings. These include the ability to withstand high temperatures, direct sunlight, and all kinds of precipitation, as well as to resist corrosion. At the same time, the combination of seamless stamping processes and annealing treatments grant metal enclosures higher strength and better resistance to shock and vibration. Together, these benefits enable metal enclosures to accommodate the most challenging applications, including both indoor and outdoor emergency and military applications.

How to Choose the Right Metal and Shape for Your Custom Enclosure or Part

To experience the maximum benefit from a metal enclosure, it’s important that clients work with manufacturers to select the right materials. Choosing the right metal ensures that your enclosure will resist your application-specific hazards while remaining within your operational budget. The most common choices include:

Cold rolled steel
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Galvanneal
Copper

Commonly Manufactured Enclosure Shapes:

Depending on the application, the shape the enclosure is engineered to become is critical for its end performance. For example, a battery cover might be slightly larger than the battery itself to create space for fluid leakage, wires, or sensors.

Commonly chosen deep drawn metal enclosure shapes include:

Square
Rectangular
Rounded or spherical
Cylindrical
Flanged

In selecting among these materials and shapes, the engineering team and manufacturer should consider a range of factors, including:

Environment and Application. The most critical factor that impacts material selection is the setting in which an enclosure will be used. The ideal metal for an outdoor enclosure must resist precipitation, changing temperatures, and UV light, while one used in a pharmaceutical facility should be corrosion-resistant and easy to sterilize. These factors determine which metals will perform well in your application either on their own or after finishing.
Many cost-effective metals function perfectly well in industrial environments, especially in indoor general manufacturing settings. Additionally, the application of coatings and finishing processes can enhance a more affordable metal’s performance with minimal impact on the component’s price. While some extreme environments may require more expensive alloys, most clients with budgetary constraints have many options.
Weight. Different metals have different densities and strength-to-weight ratios, meaning that two metals with the same performance characteristics can have very different weights. Clients should be aware of how much weight a specific metal will add to their equipment, both alone and when full. Manufacturers may recommend lighter metals when developing very large enclosures, or those that will be installed above ground level. Aluminum electronics enclosures, for instance, tend to offer similar strength to steel enclosures at a lower weight.

Industry Spotlight: Oil & Gas Enclosures

One industry that relies heavily on metal enclosures is the oil and gas industry. Electrical systems used at drilling sites, refineries, and similar facilities are often exposed to corrosive chemicals, extreme temperatures, and moisture, including saltwater spray. Consequently, it’s absolutely critical that facility managers protect sensitive circuitry to avoid workplace hazards or costly downtime. Metal enclosures offer a tight seal against all of these environmental exposures while also resisting damage from vibration or shock. This keeps electrical systems running properly, no matter how tough the environment.

Oil and gas industry clients use a full range of metal enclosures to maximize uptime and protect their employees. These include wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and free-standing cases, as well as junction boxes and troughs. Especially popular are stainless steel enclosures, which offer a favorable combination of strength and corrosion resistance to chemicals and saltwater. Whether your facility is downstream, upstream, or midstream in the oil and gas industry, custom metal enclosures can help you maintain a safe and efficient working environment.

Deep-Drawn Stamped Metal Components from Hudson Technologies

Hudson Technologies is a trusted supplier of deep-drawn stamped components and shapes of all types, including custom metal enclosures for a full range of industry applications. Our design team works one-on-one with clients to offer fully customized solutions, no matter how unusual or complex the application requirements. That commitment, combined with our extensive capabilities and industry experience, allows us to meet the most demanding metal enclosure needs.

Our standard deep-drawn catalog includes over 15,000 shapes and sizes that incur minimal or no tooling costs for the client. However, we also offer custom deep-drawn and progressive die stamped components to achieve more complex geometries. These components are available in an array of high-performance metal alloys ideal for protective electronics enclosures, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and cold-rolled steel.

To learn how our extensive stamping capabilities can address your most challenging metal enclosure needs, contact us or request a quote today.