Six Reasons to Choose a Plastic Enclosure
When planning the enclosure for your device development project, there is always a question that you have to ask yourself – do you want a metal or a plastic enclosure? For many projects this answer can be easy to determine, but if you can go with either type of enclosure, there are a few reasons why plastic may be the best choice for you.
- Lightweight
Plastic can be significantly lighter than metal, allowing you to set up and relocate your device with ease. This also saves on shipping rates and makes getting your product into the hands of your customers easier. Ease of use also means your device has greater accessibility, meaning a larger potential market for your device.
- Can be Clear/Semi-Transparent
Being able to see the inside of your enclosure at any time can be quite a benefit, as it allows for a quick diagnosis of your device without having to open it up, saving a lot of time and preventing exposing your sensitive electronics to your surroundings.
- Non-Reactive Material
Sometimes, you need to be sure that your enclosure can withstand certain environments and conditions. While conventional wisdom says metal is stronger than plastic, plastic is non-corrosive and non-conductive, meaning your plastic enclosure may outlive a metal enclosure in certain conditions. New Age also offers enclosures made from RoHS compliant ASA Plastic that offers impact resistance and high strength alongside FDA Approved Silicone Rubber O-Rings that enable the enclosure to meet the IPX7 rating, meaning your plastic enclosure is strong enough for the job.
- Highly Customizable
Plastic Enclosures made here at New Age Enclosures can come in a massive array of colors, letting you make your device the exact coloration you need it to be. In addition, CNC cutouts offer precision modifications and Pad Printing allows you to get all the logos, symbols, and numbers you need exactly where they need to be as a part of the production process.
- Radio Frequencies Optional
By default, a plastic enclosure allows for radio waves to pass through the enclosure, giving your device the ability to interact with radio, which a metal device never allows. That doesn’t mean you have to allow radio frequencies in, and if you need RF/EMI Shielding it is still possible with a plastic enclosure through a copper infused paint that can be applied to the interior of the enclosure.
- Economical
Plastic is cheaper to manufacture than metal, saving you a significant amount of money per part when compared to metal enclosures. These savings can be passed on to your customers, allowing you to reach a larger market and make your product more available. In addition, by paying less per part you can potentially place larger orders, letting you get your product to more markets.
