WHY TOUGH PLASTIC ENCLOSURES ARE GAINING TRACTION IN IIOT ELECTRONICS

RISE OF PLASTIC ENCLOSURES IN IIOT

Increasing demand for IIoT electronics has given plastic enclosures a greater role in challenging industrial settings. Today you can expect to see many more plastic housings in factories, compared with a decade ago.

The main reason for this is cost. IIoT networks require large numbers of sensors – along with actuators, gateways, embedded systems, RFID tag readers, control and monitoring systems. That’s a lot of devices that need protective housings.

Plastic enclosures are usually more cost-effective than metal ones. And as the quality of standard plastic enclosures has improved, then so has the likelihood of them being specified for more demanding tasks.

However, many small plastic sensor enclosures are rated IP 65 at best. And that’s fine for some light industrial applications. But more demanding duties call for tougher enclosures with thicker walls and higher ingress protection ratings.

SPECIFYING THE RIGHT PLASTIC FOR YOUR IIOT ENCLOSURES

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a dependable plastic: it has excellent mechanical properties including high tensile strength, impact resistance and toughness. ABS is also resistant to many chemicals and to heat (80-100°C/176-212°F) without deforming or losing its mechanical properties. But it has a weakness – it is susceptible to UV rays. And this is where ASA comes in…

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) belongs to the same family of thermoplastics as ABS but it is much more UV stable. This is why ASA has superseded ABS it as the ‘go to’ plastic for many enclosures in recent years. Much like ABS, ASA also offers good resistance to impact and chemicals. But it can withstand the Sun’s rays much better – making it the better choice for outdoor applications.

Polycarbonate (PC) is renowned for its strength, as its use in bulletproof glass and riot shields will confirm. And it retains its strength over a good temperature range (-40°C to 130°C/-40°F to 266°F). It is also resistant to many chemicals, including acids, alkalis, oils and greases. PC combines well with ASA to create an excellent thermoplastic blend.

WHICH IP RATING FOR MY IIOT PLASTIC ENCLOSURES?

IP 6X is the starting point for any electronic enclosures being installed in harsh industrial or outdoor locations. The initial ‘6’ in the rating guarantees complete protection against dust ingress. The second digit determines how watertight the enclosure will be in specific conditions:

• IP 66 – protection against temporary flooding, such as in heavy seas.
• IP 67 – protection during immersion in shallow (150 mm to 1,000 mm) water for 30 minutes.
• IP 68 – protection during immersion to an agreed depth and duration exceeding those specified for IP 67.
• IP 69K – protection against regular high-pressure, high-temperature spray downs (for industries such as food processing and pharmaceuticals).

ROLEC offers a wide selection of IP-rated plastic enclosures. Compare their technical features to determine which housing is best for your application…

‘ROUND’ TECHNODISC (IP 66, IP 67) ENCLOSURES

Stylish technoDISC is ideal for Industry 4.0 and IIoT applications. It has a ‘round’ design language to match installation locations such as pipework…but it’s not actually circular. The eye is drawn immediately to the round central operating area, which is recessed to protect a membrane keypad, front plate or product label. And the long curved sides further complement this. But the two short sides are flat to allow the fitting of cable glands or controls.

Key features for these ASA+PC enclosures include separate channels for the lid screws and the mounting screws (both of which are concealed beneath clip-on trims). This is an important design feature that allows the enclosures to be installed ‘lid closed’ – protecting the seal and electronics in dusty or wet conditions. Inside the lid and base there are screw pillars for fitting PCBs, mounting plates and electronic assemblies.

Choose from four sizes (3.82" x 4.33" x 2.17" to 7.05" x 7.48" x 3.54"), all offered in a light gray similar to RAL 7035. Accessories include lid retaining straps, internal mounting plates and cable glands.

VERSATILE STARCASE (IP 66) PLASTIC ENCLOSURES FOR IIOT

Like technoDISC, these multi-purpose ASA+PC (UL 94 V-0) enclosures also benefit from lid closed installation and concealed fixings. But this time the lid trims are hinged. They remain attached to the recessed lid, which itself is held in place by retaining supports when open. So there’s no risk of dropping either the lid or trims during installation. Inside, there are screw bosses for installing PCBs, mounting plates and terminal rails.

The enclosures are light gray (similar to RAL 7035) as standard. They are available in eight sizes from 3.54" x 4.72" x 1.97" to 6.69" x 11.02" x 2.36". Accessories include a supporting rail and mounting plate. There is also a choice of colored lid trims – red, blue or anthracite – as an alternative to light gray.

TECHNOPLUS (IP 66, IP 67, IP 69K) PLASTIC ENCLOSURES FOR POLE-MOUNTED ELECTRONICS

Advanced technoPLUS is a premium plastic enclosure designed specifically for pole- and mast-mounted electronics. These durable and resilient housings can be specified with a mast attachment (accessory) that allows them to be secured in place either vertically or horizontally to suit the application.

The enclosures are molded from UV-stable ASA (UL 94 HB) for prolonged outdoor use. Their high ingress protection ratings mean they can cope with bad weather in exposed locations. Like many other ROLEC enclosures, technoPLUS can be installed lid closed – an essential requirement given that most of these units will be sited in outdoor locations with potentially inclement weather.

The trims that cover the lid and mounting screws are molded from anthracite (RAL 7016) polypropylene, which contrasts well with the light gray (RAL 7035) of the main case. Again, the recessed lid features retaining supports. Inside, there are screw bosses for PCBs, mounting plates and terminal rails. Five standard sizes of technoPLUS range from 3.54" x 5.12" x 2.76" to 6.69" x 10.63" x 3.54".

TECHNOCASE IP 66/IP 67 ABS ENCLOSURES FOR IIOT

There are 25 standard sizes in the technoCASE range, making it easy to specify one with the right capacity for your electronics. This wide choice is the result of technoCASE’s clever design, which allows you to combine two lids, two bases or a lid and base to achieve the desired dimensions. Both the lid and base have a generous recess, enabling you to make either as the top of the housing.

Being molded from ABS (UL 94 HB), technoCASE is best specified for indoor applications. The trims that conceal the lid screws and mounting channels are available in the light gray (RAL 7035) of the main case. Or for some sizes, they can be specified in red, green, blue or yellow (accessories) for color coding or branding. There is a large range of 25 sizes to choose from ranging from 3.15" x 3.15" x 2.36" to 9.45" x 14.17" x 6.30"

Accessories for technoCASE also include feet, external mounting brackets, PCB supports, lid hinges (internal or external), mounting plates, a sealing set, supporting rail, DIN rail mounting kit and front plates.

SMART, SIMPLE TECHNOBOX (IP 66) IIOT ENCLOSURES

Multivariable technoBOX is our simplest plastic enclosure for IIoT and other industrial electronics. Unlike the other models highlighted above, these cost-effective ABS (UL 94 HB) enclosures do not have lid trims.

Instead, the screwheads are exposed for swift access – but subtle bevelling on the short edges of the recessed lid adds an aesthetic touch. Inside, there are threaded screws in the base and lid for installing the electronics. Ten sizes of technoBOX range from 2.01" x 2.60" x 1.38" to 6.34" x 9.49" x 3.15". The standard color is light gray (RAL 7035). Accessories include external hinges and mounting brackets, feet, a supporting rail and mounting plates.

SPECIFY CUSTOMIZED PLASTIC IIOT ENCLOSURES

We can supply all enclosures fully customized. They can go directly from your Goods In to your production line for installation of your electronics. Our customization services include CNC machining, engraving, powder coating, painting, photo-quality printing of legends, logos and graphics, RFI/EMI shielding, display windows and assembly of accessories.

GET EXPERT ADVICE ON PLASTIC ENCLOSURES FOR IIOT

Contact us for specialist technical advice on specifying the best plastic enclosures for your industrial electronic devices. Ask us about customization and don’t forget to request a sample.