Cabinets and enclosures

OK, cabinets and enclosures may not be the highest-profile products out there. In fact, I'm certain they're not. But, these oft-overlooked parts have the fine distinction of not only protecting your designs, but presenting them.

The bottom line: you need to invest some thought when the time comes to decide. So, we’ve enclosed some products in a neat little package to help you make that choice.

A modular liquid-cooled ATR (air transport rack) chassis from Elma Electronic (http://www.elma.com) fits up to ten 6U x 160-mm slots in a 1-ATR-Short size. Designed to ARINC 404A, the chassis accepts conduction-cooled modules in various architectures such as VME/64x, cPCI, VXS, VPX, and more. Independent dual liquid-cooled sidewalls dissipate in excess of 100 W per slot.

Elma Electronic’s ATR chassis

The RiLAN industrial enclosures from Rittal (www.rittal.com) house sensitive networking equipment in tough plant floor environments. The enclosures can be individually configured to suit specific requirements with a broad range of accessories.

Rittal’s RiLan industrial enclosure

Offered in black, red, and blue, the VM Boot protective boots from Polycase (www.polycase.com) fit the company’s VM series ABS enclosures. The silicone rubber covers leave the cases’ recessed keypad/display and end-panel areas open for use.

Measuring 4.53 x 2.75 x 0.94 in., the MiniTeknet plastic enclosures from Teko Enclosures (www.tekoenclosures.com/miniteknet) are designed for pocket-sized electronics. All models have a recessed top molding for a membrane keypad, display module, or product label.

The Senso-Case handheld enclosure from OKW Enclosures (www.okwenclosures.com) enables single-handed operation of top controls. Offered in lava gray and off-white, the enclosure is available with an underside trigger, adjustable head, and battery- or cable-power options.

OKW’s Senso-Case handheld enclosure

Optima EPS (www.optimaeps.com) and power company Pulizzi Engineering recently developed a partnership for their related products to provide a wide range of ac power distribution and control systems as part of a total enclosure solution. Both companies serve the Mil/Aero, medical, communications, industrial, and commercial markets.

The industry’s first application-ready 1U MicroTCA solution, the MicroBox from Elma Electronic (www.elma.com) houses up to 10 mid-sized, single-width modules, is powered by a 380-W supply, features hot-swap-pluggable fan trays and filters that are separately removable.

Focusing on stainless steel cases and enclosures used in the food and luxury consumables industry, an industry management system from Rittal (www.rittal.com) address hygiene-sensitive segments in open processes in fish, meat, and cheese processing. The solutions are based on various standards and regulations including DIN EN 1672-2:2005, DIN EN ISO 14 159, and EHEDG.

Molded in off-white, lava gray, and black ABS plastic, a belt/wall-clip accessory from OKW Enclosures (www.okwenclosures.com) allows the company’s Soft-Case enclosures to be worn on a belt or stored on a wall, suiting mobile electronics applications. A clip kit comprises a belt clip, mounting boss, and wall holder.

Fully compliant with the PXI Rev. 2.2 spec, the PXIS-2690P 14-slot, 3U portable chassis from Adlink Technology (www.adlinktech.com) integrates a 15-in. LCD touch-panel display, keyboard, touchpad, DVD combo drive, and 500-W power supply in an aluminum alloy frame. Features include three onboard 120 x 120 x 25-mm fans and 13 peripheral slots.

Adlink Technology’s 3U portable chassis

Featuring drive bays fitted with soft silicone grommets, the Sonata III PC enclosure from Antec (www.antec.com) reduces and absorbs hard-drive vibrations. Features include a rear 120-mm fan, an optional front-mount for a 120-mm case fan, and chassis vents for circulation. High-definition and AC ‘97 audio ports, USB and eSATA front-mounted connectors, three 5.25-in. and six 3.5-in. drive bays, and an EarthWatts 500-W power supply are also included.

Measuring 4.81 x 2.675 x 0.76 in., the Defender Series iPhone case from OtterBox (www.otterbox.com) features a high-impact polycarbonate shell that snaps together and a completely interactive, scratch-resistant polycarbonate membrane to protect screens from dust and light water intrusion. Additionally, a silicone skin wraps over the shell to add grip and absorb bump and shock with innovative retaining features to hold it in place.

Constructed from UV-stabilized blue-tinted translucent polycarbonate, the BT Series cases from Bud Industries (www.budind.com) allow users to see inside the case from every direction without removing the cover. The cases come in sizes from 4.53 x 3.54 x 2.17 in. to 11.81 x 9.06 x 3.39 in.

Designed for handheld/pocket devices, the 1455 series A- and B-sized slim-line enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing (www.hammondmfg.com) are made of extruded aluminum and accept one or two horizontally mounted pc boards, respectively. Boards fit directly into slots in the walls of the units.

Slim-line enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing

Offered in sizes of 4.625 x 2.85-in. and 5.50 x 3.25-in., the VM-24 and VM-35 plastic handheld enclosures from Polycase (www.polycase.com) are 1.00-in. thick and fit comfortably in the user’s palm. Cases are available with a compartment for two AA batteries that has nickel-plated steel contacts and removable battery door.

Offered with Neo-Link 650 and 550-W supplies, the P190 tower computer case from Antec (www.antec.com) can power multiple-core CPUs, multicard graphics solutions, and 10,000+-rpm disk drives. The chassis features a 200-mm side-mounted three-speed fan, twin top-mounted three-speed 140-mm fans, and rear- and front-mounted 120-mm fans.

Offered in chilled-water and refrigerant-based designs, the InfraStruXure InRow RP cooling unit from American Power Conversion (www.apc.com) can be placed directly next to a heat source to provide predictable, dynamic heat removal in data centers. The unit supports power densities up to 70 kW per rack when used with hot-air containment systems.

American Power Conversion’s InRow RP cooling unit

Part of the Defender Series, the 1934 and 1935 Blackberry cases from OtterBox (www.otterbox.com) suit the Research In Motion BlackBerry Pearl and BlackBerry Curve smartphones, respectively. Both cases enable complete usability of the trackball and camera in a sleek, slim fit design and offer distinguished protection. ■