Novel process for short-run plastic enclosures

Smartboxx has developed a novel process for producing low-cost custom plastic enclosures without the need for expensive moulds and tooling.

Gatehouse Enclosures has formed a new division called Smartboxx, which has introduced an entirely new and innovative process for producing low cost custom plastic enclosures without the need for expensive moulds and tooling.

Smartboxx can provide a complete service for customers who have a need for an enclosure produced to their own specification.

With the initial design, detailed drawings are not needed; the company can design from a blank piece of paper, even from the back of a cigarette packet.

For standard or simple enclosures, Smartboxx can usually deliver a 3D visualisation or design drawing within 7 days and prototype parts and production quantities within 3 weeks.

This means from a blank sheet of paper to delivery of the first production quantity in as short as 28 days.

Because the enclosures are manufactured and constructed out of flat sheet material, no tooling, forming equipment or moulds are required and all modifications can be rapidly and easily accommodated during the production run, enabling the customer to respond promptly to changing market demands.

Design and prototype charges start from as low as GBP 125.

The new process uses an extensive 3D CAD system, which has been designed and developed entirely to suite the specific design and production methods, meeting the close tolerances that the process demands.

The enclosures are available in a variety of material specifications in thickness ranging 2-10mm and can be internally coated to provide EMI/RFI shielding.

IP65 enclosures can also be produced for all-weather use or tough industrial environments.

Gatehouse expects many different customer applications for Smartboxx and so far applications include industrial computers, display enclosures, medical equipment, instrumentation and control modules, to name a few.

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