SPECIFY THE BEST PLASTIC ENCLOSURES FOR YOUR WIRED HANDHELD ELECTRONICS

WIRED HANDHELD ENCLOSURES – A BREED APART

In a world of wireless handheld devices, you could be forgiven for forgetting the continuing importance of their cable-connected counterparts. Wired devices are reassuringly dependable. Batteries are never an issue. Controllers remain connected to the main unit so they won’t go missing. And with the right strain relief clamp and anti-kink protection for the cable, the device will provide reliable service.

Handheld devices that depend on a wire for their power require a special breed of enclosure. Like every other handheld housing, they must be comfortable to grip, and offer plenty of space for controls. But they must also accommodate a wired grommet – without compromising the overall ergonomic experience for the user.

Not every wired enclosure will spend long in the human hand. Some may sit on desktops, be attached to a wall or simply hang loose from a cable. But the ergonomics that serve handheld devices so well are also a boon in other applications. Sooner or later, someone has to touch that enclosure – so they’ll be glad that you specified a good one.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD WIRED HANDHELD ENCLOSURE?

Ergonomics vs cable connection – to quote the great Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi: “There are no straight lines in nature.” So comfortable curves are the hallmark of good ergonomics and great aesthetics in many enclosures. But on a wired enclosure, there must always be somewhere to fit a cable and its accompanying grommet – or ideally a choice of possible locations if the housing is to be truly versatile.

This means a subtle compromise between curves and flat surfaces – without it appearing as such. Good enclosures should look as if they’re giving you the best of both worlds from a design perspective.

Pre-fitted cable glands – your finished enclosure should arrive with the cable gland already attached, speeding up installation times. Some off-the-shelf housings have a cable gland fitted as standard. For others, you may need to specify a pre-fitted cable gland as a custom feature. Either way, it’s a key consideration.

Good protection – is the plastic enclosure strong enough to survive its intended working environment? Will trusty ABS (UL 94 HB) suffice in terms of strength, resilience and flammability rating? Or will the debilitating effects of the Sun’s rays become an issue over time? In which case, opt for UV-stable ASA – or a blend of ASA and tough PC, which adds impact resistance. ASA+PC is certified to UL 94 V-0 for flammability.

Operating area – how will the device be operated? With a membrane keypad? If so, your enclosure will need a recessed top. Some wired enclosure ranges can be specified either with or without a recessed top. Our CONNECT range solves this issue in a simple way. More on that later in this post…

Accessibility – how easy is it to open the enclosure for inspection, servicing and maintenance? And by the same token, how tamperproof must the housing be? This is an important issue for medical electronics in particular. Consider tamperproof Torx assembly screws – either as a standard feature or a custom request. Screwless snap-together construction is another option.

Protection against EMI/RFI – plastic enclosures are more vulnerable than fabricated or diecast metal ones when it comes to electromagnetic and radio interference. The traditional solution is a Faraday cage which uses a conductive coating or mesh to block EMI and RFI. For plastic enclosures, that means EMC shielding – vapour-plating an aluminium coating inside the housing.
 
OKW offers a dedicated range of wired enclosures. Let’s compare them…

SMART-CASE HANDHELD ENCLOSURES: A BESTSELLER

SMART-CASE is an OKW classic. Its timeless design and comfortable contours make it one of our most enduringly popular models. These ABS (UL 94 HB) enclosures are available in four sizes – three of which can be specified with/without a cable gland: M (96 x 47 x 24 mm), L (140 x 62.7 x 30.5 mm) and XL (168 x 74.4 x 35.4mm).

These three sizes can be specified in various versions to suit different cable diameters: Ø 3.4 - 4.2 mm, Ø 4.2 - 5.0 mm and Ø 5.0 - 5.9 mm. SMART-CASE’s top is recessed for a membrane keypad or decorative foil/product label. PCBs can be fixed in the top or base. IP 65 ingress protection is optional for sizes L and XL. All the enclosures come in two standard colours: off-white (RAL 9002) and black (RAL 9005).

For the record, SMART-CASE is also available with a battery compartment (sizes M, L, XL) for 2 x AAA, 2 x AA or 1 x 9 V cells. Size XS for key rings offers space for a 12 V round cell or small round cells. All four sizes of these non-wired enclosures can be specified in infrared-permeable PMMA for wireless remote controls.

SMART-CASE is available with a wide range of accessories. From a wired enclosures perspective, the most relevant will be a pull-relief set, wall holders (that feature a recess to make room for the connected cable), rail holding clamps, and ingress protection seals.

View the SMART-CASE range >>

CONNECT ENCLOSURES FOR MULTIPLE INTERFACES

CONNECT can sit at one end of a wire or in the middle of one: cable glands can be fitted to either end (or both). It’s simply a matter of specifying your desired combination of cable glands and end parts. The long sides are flat – offering space for two lines of USB connectors.

These ASA+PC (UL 94 V-0) enclosures comprise two snap-together shells; there are no assembly screws. One shell is smooth and convex, the other flat and recessed – giving you a choice of tops to suit your specific application.

We recently extended the CONNECT range, complementing the original 54 mm width with a new slimmer 42 mm option. That means the enclosures are now available in sizes ranging from 60 x 42 x 22 mm to 156 x 54 x 22 mm in either off-white (RAL 9002) or black (RAL 9005). Accessories include wall holders, cable gland kits (Ø 3.4 - 4.2 mm, Ø 4.2 - 5.0 mm, Ø 5.0 - 5.9 mm), rail clamps and end parts.

View the CONNECT range >>

AWARD-WINNING BLOB – WIRED ENCLOSURES, WILD DESIGNS!

It’s immediately obvious that BLOB is no normal enclosure range. Its memorable name and three unusual enclosure shapes bend the unwritten rule that standard housings shouldn’t be too distinctive.

However, all this apparent eccentricity is based on good solid design logic. Each of the three BLOB enclosures – CONTROL, PANEL and UNIT – is amorphously shaped, guiding users’ hands instinctively towards the controls. In the past, we’ve described this as ‘teach by touch’.

And even though each shape is a mass of curves, these ABS (UL 94 HB) enclosures can still be specified for wired electronics – they can still accept cable glands. Where you fix the cable(s) is entirely up to you because these enclosures can be used in lots of different grasp positions.

Each of the three shapes has a recessed operating area. IP 54 protection is optional. Inside, there are screw pillars for PCBs. Accessories include cable glands for wire diameters of Ø 3.4 - 4.2 mm, Ø 4.2 - 5.0 mm and Ø 5.0 - 5.9 mm.

The standard colours are off-white (RAL 9002) and lava, which are both surprisingly restrained given the idiosyncratic shape of these enclosures. But if you want BLOB in a colour as unusual as the shapes, then please get in touch! Like other OKW enclosures, BLOB can be specified in a broad spectrum of custom colours – plus a whole range of different textures and finishes thanks to our recently extended range of lacquering options.

View the BLOB range >>

SENSO-CASE – FOR WIRED SCANNERS AND SENSORS

Smart SENSO-CASE is a great example of a standard enclosure that has been designed for a specific role – and yet remains highly versatile. Available with or without a trigger as standard, SENSO-CASE is purpose-designed for scanning and data recording.

Those roles suit applications including sensors, opto-electronics, opto-digital technologies, industrial image processing, measurement and control, stock and sales logging, medical and laboratory equipment and communications.

These ABS (UL 94 HB) enclosures for right- or left-handed users feature a large front face for mounting sensors. They are available in one size (M 180 x 86 x 45 mm) and two colours: off-white (RAL 9002) and lava.

Accessories include wall holders, pull-relief clamps and cable glands (Ø 3.4 - 4.2 mm, Ø 4.2 - 5.0 mm and Ø 5.0 - 5.9 mm). There are also battery holders (2 x AA, 1 x 9 V) and a 1 x 9 V plug-in contact for wireless applications.

View the SENSO-CASE range >>

CABLE GLANDS, GROMMETS, STRAIN AND PULL RELIEF

We offer a wide range of cable glands and grommets for wired electronics. They include:

• quick fix cable glands for rapid installation
• pressure-compensation cable glands for protection against condensation in hermetically sealed enclosures
• bending protection cable glands
• flexible cable grommets
• strain relief and pull relief clamps
• counternuts
• sealing rings.

View cable glands, grommets and clamps >>

SPECIFY CUSTOMISED WIRED ENCLOSURES

All OKW wired enclosures can be specified fully customised – ready for the installation of your PCBs and other components. We carry out all the work in-house to ensure consistently high quality throughout the process. Customisation services include machining, lacquering, printing, laser marking, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding and installation/assembly of accessories.

View our customising services >>

GET EXPERT TECHNICAL ADVICE

Contact our experienced team for specialist advice on specifying the best standard or customised enclosures for your wired electronics. Don’t forget to request a sample.