What to Consider with an Electronic Enclosure Design
While the power of electronic hardware comes from its internal components, the product is typically recognized by its enclosure, the outer shell that encloses fiber-optic products, making them more appealing and user-friendly for the work environment. As a savvy telecommunications company in the age of DIY, you might consider creating your own custom electronic enclosure design with the help of American Products instead of purchasing a standardized enclosure. Although the experts at American Products will ensure that your custom solution is fully functional and engineered to meet your precise standards, in this post, we have outlined a few of the considerations to keep in mind when designing your own custom metal enclosure.
What to Consider with an Electronic Enclosure Design
Start with the Product Requirements
Before you sketch out your electronic enclosure design and consult an American Products engineer, think about your enclosure requirements first and foremost. Ask yourself, “What does my enclosure need to do, and what are its most basic functions?” This way, you can help keep your development in scope and avoid adding cost and complexity where you do not need it. Start with the most basic necessities. If you keep your ideas streamlined in the beginning, you are more likely to have flexibility in your design later on.
Select Your Metal
There are over 3,500 different types of steel, each with unique physical, chemical, and environmental properties. Different steels are produced according to the properties required for their application, and understanding the properties of steel grades can help you identify the ideal material for your electronic enclosure design. Be sure consider the environment, space, and shape requirements of your enclosure when deciding which type of steel is right for you.
Think About the Internal Components
Think about how your fiber optic cables should be housed and organized, and discuss your concerns and ambitions with an American Products engineer. This step is particularly important for the accessibility and protection of your equipment. When you have a good idea of what’s going on inside the enclosure, the team at American Products can accurately design around it.
Consider Plates and Adapters
Consider any splice trays or adapter plates you might need to configure your enclosure once it is designed. Finding the right plates to fit your design is made easier when you know the dimensions of standard empty plates, LC plates, SC plates, and ST/FC plates beforehand.
Consider Insulation and Climate Control
Telecommunications equipment can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Protecting this equipment means managing air flow, temperature, and cooling technology. Planning to outfit your enclosure design with insulation or climate control can significantly help with the protection of your fiber optics, especially if your enclosure will be housed outside.
Team Up with American Products
American Products offers engineering and design services, which we use to tackle our customers’ unique requests and dilemmas. To create functional, efficient, and versatile telecommunication enclosures, we rely on top-notch technology and our employees’ expertise. If you like one of our standard products but it doesn’t quite meet your requirements, we can modify the design to create the ideal customized product for your needs. We also collaborate with our customers to create new products built to our customers’ specifications. Explore our full list of engineering and electronic enclosure design services, preview a few of our custom solutions, or contact us for more information.
