Any sheet metal fabrication company can build an enclosure. But only the professionals at Eterna can deliver a sheet metal enclosure that meets your quality, cost, and lead time requirements. Keep reading to explore Eterna’s approach to fabricating enclosures and discover what makes an exceptional custom sheet metal enclosure.
Sheet Metal Enclosures are used in multiple industries and for various applications. Prime examples of fabricated metal enclosures include IT, Telecom, Electric Vehicle to name a few.
Eterna fabricates precision custom sheet metal enclosures of any dimension. However, they usually range to be as small as a postal cardboard box to as large as a commercial oven. Manufacturing top quality metal enclosures calls upon our full range of capabilities: Laser Cutting, CNC Punching, Precision Forming, Welding, Hardware Installation, Powder Coating, Assembly and more.
Reiterating for young designers, just because a design unfolds in Solidworks or any 3D modelling software, doesn’t mean your metal fabrication partner can manufacture it as is.
Follow our guidelines for sheet metal and you will hit the sweet spot for designing a metal enclosure that can be manufactured as easily as it may unfold in the 3D software.
Questions to ask:
Can the design be formed/ bent?
While majority of the enclosures are designed for easy bending, some exhibit challenge that may have an impact on the pricing, lead time and even functionality. Such as an oversized enclosures when compared to laser cutting and bending capability may force Eterna to identify other means of manufacturing the box. Or the enclosure might have some unique features that prevent full formability.
Our team can assist in ensuring the design is easily bendable without impacting the costs.
Does the design need welding?
Some metal enclosure because of their protection, would need additional welding services. Eterna offers is customers a variety of options ranging from MIG, TIG to Fiber laser welding for different material types. Welding increases the lead time and even cost of the enclosure.
Discuss your project with Eterna for welding enclosures to ensure relevant welding suitability.
Does the design have any special features and need custom tooling?
From forming tools such as louvers and bridge tools play a crucial role in Eterna determining how we strategies manufacturing of your sheet metal enclosure. Standard hardware such as hinges and clinching hardware keeps the lead time to a minimum. Whereas any special hardware or accessories such as hinges increase the lead time significantly depending upon availability.
You are guaranteed to save significant amounts of money if there is no need for custom tooling. Standard tooling results in a metal enclosure which would fit your needs and requirements majorly. Eterna an exhaustive tooling list which will render your 3D designs manufacturability to a great extent.
What sort of finishing would my metal enclosure need?
Post fabrication process, there are numerous options available for the surface finishings. They range from:
Powder Coating: With an inhouse powder coating set up, Eterna can paint your enclosure is a desired color from the RAL chart. Eterna sources Powder Paint from reputed sources such as AkzoNobel etc. Non-Standard colors again increase the lead time exponentially.
Plating: When metal enclosure is fabricated in Cold Rolled Steel, customers often want the part to undergo a plating process which protects is from Rust. The plating services are outsourced to reliable suppliers.
Silk Screening: Some enclosures, especially in IT industry must be silk screened with profile number such as 19” U sections etc. Also, in the electrical and Lithium-Ion battery industry, the led markers must be silk screened with relevant indicators. Eterna offers its customers the option to have their parts silk screened on any type of material post manufacturing steps.
Pre-Plated Steel: Enclosures are also manufactured in pre painted and plated steel wherein the enclosures are laser cut, formed, and riveted straight after. This allows the customers to save a significant amount in costs and shorten the lead time exponentially. However, if the enclosures have to be corrosion resistant, the part must be powder coated afterwards.
The industries using Sheet Metal Enclosures
Telecom Industry: Metal enclosures provide specialized housing for servers, networking equipment. Battery cabinets and SMPS equipment’s are housed in metal enclosures.
Electronic industry: The metal enclosures are used to house circuit boards, power supplies, control panel and other communication devices such as routers and switches etc.
Medical Industry: Operation theatres have various equipment’s and components which are made from medical grade sheet metal. Sheet Metal enclosures are also used to equipment to prevent external interference and maintain sterility.
Sheet Metal Enclosures are crucial in renewable energy sector such as Solar Energy, Wind Energy to protect electrical components from extreme weather conditions. In Defense and Aerospace sector, the metal enclosures are used to house radar equipment and other components which are mission critical.
Eterna; Your Perfect Partner for Sheet Metal Fabricated Enclosures
Our Prototype specialists offer select customer capabilities that production shops simply don’t provide. We do not merely manufacture off your 3D design. We suggest on how to optimize the costs, production lead times and improve the longevity of the product.
No matter the shape, size, or kind of enclosure, Eterna is available to help you make the best fabrication Enclosure from design to reality.
GET A QUOTE TODAY!
