Small/Custom Aluminum Extruded Enclosures (where?) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: selkathguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:00:38 pm
content: I have been scouring the internet for almost a week looking for the perfect enclosure for my new, small project I am working on. It is an RF application and I would prefer aluminum extrusion (for EMI reasons and so that the end panels can be PCB, which is cheaper than custom machining/stamping).I am looking for low volume, prototype runs at the moment for feasibility studies. I am prepared for some tooling costs, but I don't have the capital to throw around on 100-MOQ manufacturing. This is becoming exceedingly difficult for me to find, given the tiny dimensions I am working with.I found a product by a Japanese company called Takachi which is perfect: (attached) Those are the maximum dimensions that I am working with. Ideally I am looking smaller than that.But none of their distributors even have that product. Other companies either dont have distributors here in the USA, wont take an order for small volume, or require you to get very involved with their support in order to get a quote.Does anyone have a suggestion for where I can find a very small extruded aluminum enclosure, or a company from which I can have one custom built for less than a fortune? Or have any experience with this to give a general idea of cost?Thank you for your time!EDIT: Attached the actual drawing from the OEM

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:12:37 pm
content: A customer of mine here in the UK bought direct from Takachi Japan a couple of years ago - wasn't a big qty and they were very helpful.

author: gregallenwarner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:13:36 pm
content: I just search eBay for mine. A few of the companies postings advertise custom panel cutting; you just have to search through them all to find a suitable vendor for your project/budget.

author: chicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:13:51 pm
content: Does it have to be those exact dimensions? If not, there's plenty of selection on AliExpress, e.g.:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Aluminum-extrusion-and-metal-enclosure/505449_211537741.html

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:14:00 pm
content: MOQ for custom extrusions typically amount to a couple thousand pounds of finished product due to the high cost of designing and fabricating the die. For a small enclosure, that could be 10,000 units.Have you looked at Hammond's 1455 series? The 1455C is pretty close to that size. There's also Rose Bopla, they sell raw extrusions in 1-meter lengths or will do custom cut to length or full machining. Not sure how much they have that's that small.I'd be curious to know where else you've looked, I really like the Hammond extrusions, but it's always nice to have more options that aren't small quantities from China.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:14:29 pm
content: Re. custom xtrusions - my understanding is that tooling is not stupidly expensive, at least for simple profiles - hundreds rather than thousands - but minimum orders tend to be quite high.

author: selkathguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 08, 2015, 09:12:37 pmVery useful info! I suppose I assumed they wouldn't sell direct, particularly to individuals, but I'll send them an email today. Thanks!Quote from: ajb on January 08, 2015, 09:14:00 pmHammond's 1455 series is way too large for my project, long-axis largest dimension can't exceed 80mm, where the other two need to be about <50mm and <30mm respectively. I've checked all sites listed in another thread (which I of course can't find again at the moment) which was about 10 of them, after doing a bunch of searching on my own.I suppose this might work. It's almost too small, but if I move the battery holder outside, fastened with an adhesive and a small, neat external connector it might work.http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/20-pieces-a-lot-25-25-40mm-0-98-0-98-1-57inch-electronic-enclosure-Aluminum/505449_1277072090.html

author: nkw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 04:43:30 am
content: Quote from: selkathguy on January 08, 2015, 09:00:38 pmI haven't tried them (in fact, I didn't know they existed until I was looking around for an enclosure for my USRP and they were linked to from a page at ettus), but take a look athttp://protocase.com/- they seem to be what you are looking for. If you do get info from them, I would be interested in hearing about their pricing.Also, I understand Takachi will ship single orders direct to the U.S. and accept payment by paypal if you e-mail them.

author: orion242
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 04:54:14 am
content: Might want to ditch the extrusion and use sheet stock folded and welded to form a tube. For low volume the costs will be pretty reasonable at a fab shop. They can bend tabs front and back so you can use PCB ends while maintaining a solid AL tube in the center.

author: Mad ID
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 08:01:48 am
content: Have a look athttp://www.lincolnbinns.com/They have some high quality enclosures I used for one product.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 11:03:26 am
content: Mike nailed it... I've searched and searched and there are no stocking distributors for Takashi in the USA that I was able to find, but they will sell direct.Custom extrusion die cost is going to be $500-800 or so, but high MOQ.If your volume is low, CNC machining might be an option, or buying off-the-shelf extrusion (that isn't designed for PCB enclosures) and figure out PCB mounting yourself.

author: selkathguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 01:33:56 pm
content: Quote from: Mad ID on January 09, 2015, 08:01:48 amI haven't seen this before. I see they have a 63.5*40*30 external dimension enclosure, which might actually work. I'll see if I can order one. Thanks for the link!