10 Questions You Should to Know about custom sheet metal enclosures

Author: Jessica

Nov. 27, 2024

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Frequently Asked Questions on Building Custom ...

How long does it take to build an enclosure?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

We manufacture custom sheet metal electronic enclosures, mounting hardware, and miscellaneous components. We start from your design, and build them in 2-3 days, with no minimum order requirements. Extra lead time may be required for use of non-stocked components or materials, large quantity orders or for silkscreening (due to drying time). If time is critical for your job, be sure to discuss it with your account manager, and we can review your design to determine the lead time, and suggest workarounds for any design elements that may result in delays.

What types of enclosures can you manufacture?

We build sheet metal enclosures from your design within 2-3 days. We can build many different kinds of enclosures, including rackmount, U-Shape, L-Shape, consolets, machined enclosures, hybrid enclosures, custom computer enclosures, extruded aluminum, as well as panels, brackets and copper bus bars. View our Electronics Enclosures page for full details.

I need my enclosure right away. It's not a standard shape and has some unusual cutouts. How fast can you deliver?

Most enclosures are typically shipped within 2-3 business days after the client has approved the design, regardless of level of customization or complexity. However, extra lead time may be required for use of non-stocked components or materials, large quantity orders or for silkscreening (due to drying time). If time is critical for your job, be sure to contact us, and we can review your design to determine the leadtime, and suggest workarounds for any design elements that may result in delays.

What does it mean for an enclosure to be 1U?

o 1U (1.73") is a standard rack enclosure height. It refers to the height of the front panel and also dictates the location of the front panel mounting holes. The following table shows the front panel height for the various standards.

StandardNominal Front Panel height 1U1.75 in 2U3.50 in 3U5.25 in 4U7.00 in 5U8.75 in 6U10.50 in 7U12.25 in

For U-Shape enclosure templates, does the width include the thickness of the cover or is it just the width of the base?

The U-shape template dimensions are for the width, depth and height of the base only (doesn't include cover thickness).

Are there limitations on the shape of the enclosure?

We can manufacture all the common enclosure styles, and when it comes to fully custom designs, we have an enormous amount of flexibility. We use toolless cutting techniques, so any shape may be cut. The main limitation is in bending. Press brakes can do straight-line bends only. There are few limitations on the first bend on a part, but elements of the part may interfere with subsequent bends. Our Fabrication Tolerances page has full details, including a PDF with bend tolerance diagrams. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

What is the biggest part you can manufacture?

It depends on the geometry of the enclosure. The main limitations are 4' x 8' (mm x mm) limitation imposed by our standard sheet metal stock, and a 6' ( mm) bend length limitation imposed by press brake equipment, or a 10' ( mm) bend limitation imposed by the folder.

What is the smallest enclosure you can manufacture?

It all depends on the design. With CNC machining, we are capable of manufacturing very small enclosures, as small as 1 x 1 x 0.5. We recommend contacting us about your design so that we can discuss it.

Are there any restrictions on the shapes and sizes of cutouts?

There are virtually no restrictions. We can cut almost any shape or size cutout provided it fits within our enclosure size limitations.

Is there a maximum number of cutouts you can do per side?

There is no limit to the number of cutouts. As a rule of thumb, cutouts should be no closer than 1.5 x metal thickness from another cut, although there is some leeway in practice. Also, parts with a very large number of cutouts may warp from heat and/or relief of residual stresses inside the metal. Contact us if you encounter either situation arises when designing.

I was told my enclosure should be made of 16 ga steel. What does this mean?

ga., or Gauge, refers to the thickness of the material being used. There are a number of gauges, each of which is specific to the type of material in question, so an actual thickness specification (in inch or millimeter units) leaves less room for error. See the Materials, Components, and Finishes page for more information, including standard stocked gauges. Choose the material you'd like to use for your design from the menu on the left-hand side of the page.

Can you manufacture NEMA-rated enclosures?

We can build your design to your specifications, however we cannot certify our enclosures as NEMA-rated. Contact us with your needs, and we will work with you to build an enclosure that meets the standards required.

Can I get an IP rated enclosure?

Technically, we cannot provide you a certified IP-rated enclosure, as every order we manufacture is completely custom. However, we are happy to work to your specifications, including IP ratings. We do not provide any testing to IP ratings, therefore we cannot guarantee the rating itself. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Can my enclosure be waterproof?

Yes, it can. If you require a water-tight enclosure, we recommend a milled enclosure. Given that it is milled from solid stock, we are able to create a durable enclosure that is effective at protecting against the elements, and can even be immersed in water, provided you incorporate a custom gasket into the design.

Can I get a transparent enclosure?

At Protocase, we typically work with sheet metal; however we also work with materials such as acrylic. It is important to keep in mind that plastic materials cannot be bent.

We are able to install transparent plastic windows onto your custom sheet metal enclosure upon request. Read this customer spotlight that showcases an example of how an acrylic panel was used in a custom enclosure design.

Is Protocase compliant with international standards?

Yes, Protocase is ISO registered and AS certified. We are also ITAR-compliant and registered with Canadian Controlled Goods.

Can you manufacture bezels?

Yes, we can. A bezel is essentially a cover or faceplate for an enclosure. We can build a sheet metal bezel, or a machined bezel, from your design.

Can you manufacture Raspberry Pi enclosures?

Yes, we can. Your Raspberry Pi enclosure can be manufactured using your CAD design, or you can use our design services to design a Raspberry Pi enclosure to suit your needs.

I need some brackets to hold down power supplies and fans. Can you supply these?

Yes, we commonly build internal components such as brackets, ground planes, internal partitions, etc., as an ordinary part of enclosure manufacturing. Please view our Materials, Components, and Finishes page page for complete information about the components we carry.

What are the dimensional tolerances of your enclosures?

The tolerance on variation of size and position of cutouts and profiles is +-0.005". For a full list of Fabrication Tolerances, please visit our Tolerance Resource here. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

How far do cutouts have to be from bends?

The minimum distance a cutout can be located from a bend is driven by the material type, thickness and tooling used to bend or bend radius required. You can refer to our Material Bend Radii and Minimum Bend Size Chart to determine the ideal value for your design. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

Where can I learn about your bend tolerances?

Check out our Fabrication Tolerances page, where we have listed all of our tolerances for your convenience.

What are the height restrictions for hat-shaped (offset) brackets?

• 0.50"+ material thickness for thicknesses .075" and up
• 0.29"+ material thickness for thicknesses up to.064"

Can you lathe parts?

ACE supply professional and honest service.

Yes, we offer CNC Turning (Lathe), as well as CNC Machining with 5-Axis, 3-Axis and CNC Routers. View our CNC machining page to learn more about what we offer.

What is a Hybrid Enclosure?

A Hybrid Enclosure is created using a combination of extruded sides, sheet metal top/bottom, and custom machined front and back plates. This creates a simple case that feels solid, durable and sophisticated, while the extruded sides have slots for mounting a circuit board. Learn more about Protocase's Hybrid Enclosures.

Do you manufacture bus bars?

Yes, we can build copper bus bars from your design in 2-3 days. Learn more about copper bus bars.

What is the internal height of your extruded aluminum enclosures?

Currently, we offer extruded aluminum enclosures in two different options: 1U, which is 1.72" (43.688mm) high and 2U, which is 3.47" (88.138mm) high. Learn more on our Extruded Aluminum page.

How did you get the numbers for your bend radii and minimum bend sizes?

Our minimum bend guidelines stem from a combination of in-house testing by our R&D and production teams, as well as manufacturer guidance on tooling. If you have specific bend requirements, contact us to discuss your needs.

Are you capable of fabricating offset bends?

Yes, we are able to fabricate offset bends, depending on your requirements. Contact your Protocase Account Manager to discuss your specific needs.

Can you make enclosures waterproof by seam welding the corners?

While we are not able to test for waterproofing in house, we are capable of creating enclosures that are water resistant and/or splash proof. Seam welding the enclosure's corners is a good option for water resistance; however, for a fully waterproofed enclosure, we recommend a CNC milled enclosure and employing an O-ring gasket. For more information, please view our blog post about designing enclosures that protect against water and debris.

Frequently Asked Questions on Custom Enclosures

I was told my enclosure should be made of 16 ga steel. What does this mean?

ga., or Gauge, refers to the thickness of the material being used. There are a number of gauges, each of which is specific to the type of material in question, so an actual thickness specification (in inch or millimeter units) leaves less room for error. See the Materials, Components, and Finishes page for more information, including standard stocked gauges.

Which types of material does Protocase use in manufacturing enclosures?

Protocase manufactures enclosures from virtually any metal. Standard stock materials include steel, stainless steel, galvanneal, and aluminum. See the Materials, Components, and Finishes page for more information.

What does a 1U enclosure mean?

1U is a standard rack enclosure height. It refers to the height of the front panel and also dictates the location of the front panel mounting holes. The following table shows the front panel height for the various standards.

StandardNominal Front Panel height 1U1.75 in 2U3.50 in 3U5.25 in 4U7.00 in 5U8.75 in 6U10.50 in 7U12.25 in

What is the biggest enclosure you can make?

It depends on the geometry of the enclosure. The main limitations are 4' x 8' (mm x mm) limitation imposed by our standard sheet metal stock, and a 6' ( mm) bend length limitation imposed by press brake equipment.

Are there limitations on the shape of the enclosure?

We can manufacture all the common enclosure styles, and when it comes to fully custom designs, we have an enormous amount of flexibility. We use toolless cutting techniques, so any shape may be cut. The main limitation is in bending. Press brakes can do straight-line bends only. There are few limitations on the first bend on a part, but elements of the part may interfere with subsequent bends. Contact our technical staff for more information.

How can I send you my enclosure design?

An electronic CAD file is the best way. Ideally a 3D model such as Solidworks or an IGES file works best. Otherwise, AutoCad dxf or dwg drawings will suffice. If you don't have CAD capability, fax (1-902-567-) or () us your hand sketch and we can take it from there.

What is a self-clinching fastener?

To facilitate mounting your printed circuit boards, power supplies, or other devices, Protocase offers a variety of self-clinching threaded standoffs, threaded studs, or nuts. These come fully pressed into your enclosure or part, and are available in both metric and english sizes. Standard sizes include #4-40, #6-32, #8-32, #10-24, M3, M4, and M5. Please identify your desired fasteners in the enclosure drawing that you will provide to us when you place your order. More information on self-clinching fasteners can be found here.

Are there restrictions on the shape and size of cutouts?

There are virtually no restrictions. We can cut almost any shape or size cutout provided it fits within our enclosure size limitations.

What are the dimensional tolerances of your enclosures?

The dominant dimensional variation occurs in cuts and bends. Cuts have an absolute accuracy of better than 0.010&#; (0.25mm), relative to CAD drawings. For bends, variation occurs in leg length as well as angle. Standard leg length tolerance is 0.010&#; (0.25mm), and bend tolerance is 2 degrees. See our Fabrication Tolerances page for more information.

Is there a maximum number of cutouts you can do per side?

There is no limit to the number of cutouts. As a rule of thumb, cutouts should be no closer than 1.5 x metal thickness from another cut, although there is some leeway in practice. Also, parts with a very large number of cutouts may warp from heat and/or relief of residual stresses inside the metal. Consult with our tech staff should you encounter either situations when designing.

I need some brackets to hold down power supplies and fans. Can you supply these?

Yes, we commonly build internal components such as brackets, ground planes, internal partitions, etc., as an ordinary part of enclosure manufacturing.

Can you install my hardware?

Yes we can install your specified self-clinching fasteners, studs, and nuts, rubber feet, handles, etc, where required (although sometimes they are better left off for shipping purposes). See our materials, components, and finishes page for more information.

I only need one enclosure for a prototype design &#; does this fall in your definition of 'low volume'?

Yes. We are here to help engineers and designers get their projects done quickly. They often require only one enclosure or small metal part. Therefore we have absolutely no minimum order.

My enclosure requires sealed seams. Can you seam weld my enclosure? Do you grind after seam welding?

Our welding capabilities include spot welding (a great option for permanent assembly) and Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) for fully sealed seams, which are ground smooth prior to finishing.

Can you silk-screen my front and rear panels?

Yes. All we need is your graphic and we can take it from there. Silk-screening adds 1 day to lead time to allow ink to dry. Extra days may be required when multiple colors are overlaid, to allow for drying time between applications. See our silkscreening page for more information.

What standard silk-screen colors do you offer?

We stock a variety of colors. We can also supply custom colors, but their use may add to delivery time. See our silkscreening page for more information.

I need my enclosure right away. It's not a standard shape and has some unusual cutouts. How fast can you deliver?

Most enclosures are typically shipped within 2-3 business days after the client has approved the design, regardless of level of customization or complexity. However, extra lead time may be required for silkscreening (due to drying time), use of non-stocked components or materials, or large quantity orders. If time is critical for your job, be sure to discuss it with our sales and/or technical staff, and we can review your design to determine the leadtime, and suggest workarounds for any design elements that may result in delays.

What standard powder coat colors do you offer?

We stock a variety of colors, in a variety of textures. We also can supply non-standard colors but sometimes these will add to the delivery time and/or cost. See our powdercoat page for more information on powder coat, including a list of stock colors.

I have limited CAD capability. Can you help me with my design?

We work with many customers who are experts in their own field of science or technology, and design and build electronics but have never developed CAD expertise. We have a number of simple options for them. For example, they can utilize our design services. They simply contact us and describe their needs, and once we establish a rough idea of your requirement, we can give a firm price on the enclosure and design fee. This is a fast and cost effective option, and very often design services don't exceed $100 US. Another option is to use our Protocase Designer® free 3D enclosure CAD software, which can be learned in 20 minutes with the help of detailed video tutorials, and provides instant pricing and online ordering. Finally, a non-CAD expert can use our online template generator to create a base enclosure design, and specify output line-drawing format. He/she can view the drawing in a web browser, then print out each face, and draw in cutouts and/or fasteners as required to develop a custom enclosure design.

If you do the design for me, can I review the design before it is made?

We supply every customer with an eDrawings of his or her enclosure or part prior to it entering production. This is a 3-D model of the enclosure and provides the client the ability to verify dimensions, view the enclosure from all angles, view section cutaways to inspect the inside and dissemble the enclosure to view each part that makes up the assembly. This model is a simple html file and requires no special software to run, just an Internet Explorer 5.5+. And best of all, it's free.

How long will I have to wait for my enclosure?

There are two stages to the ordering process. Once the order is received, an eDrawings is produced and sent to the client for approval. eDrawings are typically sent out within 24 hours of receiving the order. Once an authorization to proceed is received from the client, we typically will ship within 2-3 business days. For enclosures with silk-screening, add 1-2 days.

Can you manufacture aluminium enclosures?

Yes. We stock aluminum as well as steel, stainless, and galvanneal, and can usually obtain any other metal that a customer may require.

How do you ship my order?

We ship the products by express courier, unless otherwise notified to us.

What is your return policy?

If there is a problem with the product, please contact us right away. We will replace, at no cost, any product not manufactured in accordance with client approved eDrawings or any product not deemed to be of acceptable quality to both Protocase and the client.

What size stand-offs do you stock?

To facilitate mounting your printed circuit boards, power supplies, or other devices, Protocase offers a variety of self-clinching threaded standoffs, threaded studs, or nuts. These come fully pressed into your enclosure or part, and are available in both metric and english sizes. See our self clinching fastener page for information and a list of stocked items. Please identify your desired fasteners in the enclosure drawing that you will provide to us when you place your order.

How can I pay?

We accept all major credit cards (VISA, AMEX and Mastercard), wire transfers, and cheques drawn on major banks.

What currency do you work in?

Our default currency is in USD. However, if you would find it more convenient, we can quote, invoice, and accept payment in GBP, EUR, and CAD. Pricing in alternate currencies will be based on the USD price, using our effective conversion rate, and we will hold alternate currency pricing for 30 days.

Dot Peening FAQs

What is Dot Peening?

Dot Peening is a form of permanent marking on sheet metal parts.

Why should I use Dot Peen Permanent Marking?

Dot Peen Permanent Marking is used for the traceability and identification of sheet metal parts. This form of identification is typically used to meet safety, warranty, or regulatory requirements.

How does Dot Peening work?

An alphanumeric pattern is first programmed into the dot peening equipment. The machine head is laid over the part while it is still flat (before bending and finishing) and a series of dots are then created by the impact of the pin. The end result is a readable, alphanumerical identification.

Which materials should I use with dot peening?

We can dot peen any of our materials, but there are considerations when using thin gauges. Specifically, when dot peening aluminum thinner than 0.051&#; or steel less than .048&#;, ghosting or witness marks may show through on the reverse side. This is only an aesthetic issue and in some cases may be perfectly acceptable. Therefore, in cases where dot peening is to be specified on these thin materials, the designer should carefully consider where witness marks may show up.

Can I order permanent marking for my sheet metal part with a powder coat finish?

Dot Peening can be used on bare metal finishes or under powder coat, as the depth of the peening is sufficient to show through the paint.

*Please note* The presentation of the dot peened characters will vary from the different powder coat colors. See some examples of dot peening under powder coat HERE.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website custom sheet metal enclosures.

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