COMPARE PORTABLE/TABLE-TOP ENCLOSURES FOR ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION

ELEGANT ALUMINIUM INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES WITH ADJUSTABLE HANDLES

One of the key features of our portable electronic enclosures has been the ergonomic carrying handle that doubles as a desk stand. This handle can be adjusted in 30° increments – so your electronic instrumentation can be viewed and operated at the perfect angle.

So, let’s compare the various METCASE portable desktop enclosures that are the reason these handles exist…

TECHNOMET PREMIUM DESKTOP/PORTABLE INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES

TECHNOMET is METCASE’S flagship instrument enclosure for a reason – it’s a gamechanger that will immediately differentiate your electronics from competitors’ products. These pioneering enclosures are engineered to finer tolerances with a modern, cohesive design that features flush-fit bezels and concealed fixings.

Inside, these aluminium enclosures are equally smart with an internal chassis that is prepunched to accommodate snap-in PCB guides. There are also PCB mounting pillars in the base. And every case panel has an M4 pillar for earthing. Ventilation comes as standard with slots in the base and rear panel – allowing cool air to enter at the bottom and hot air to exit at the top.

The standard colours are anthracite (RAL 7016) or light grey (RAL 7035). Custom colours are available on request – and at no extra cost if you specify one of our broad spectrum of always-in-stock colours.

TECHNOMET is available as standard in a wide range of sizes from 225 x 200 x 75mm to 350 x 320 x 150 mm. Eight of those sizes (from 225 x 200 x 75mm to 350 x 275 x 150 mm) are available with the indexable carry handle. Furthermore, several sizes can be specified with grab handles on the sides.

Thanks to its smart design, this model can be specified in custom heights, widths and depths – with or without an adjustable handle or side grab handles.

View TECHNOMET range >>

POPULAR UNIMET PORTABLE INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES

UNIMET is an enduring design that remains popular thanks to its timeless aesthetics and practical technical features. Like TECHNOMET, UNIMET has a front bezel with concealed fixings. But there is no rear bezel.

Instead the removable rear panel is held in place by four screws that connect directly to the U-shaped wraparound top. As with TECHNOMET, these rear screws are easily accessible for swift inspection and maintenance of the electronics.

UNIMET’s rear panel is recessed to protect connectors and switches. And inside, there are mounting holes in the base for PCBs and chassis. There are no PCB guide rails; if you’d prefer guides to mounting points then consider UNIMET-PLUS featured below. There are no ventilation slots as standard either but these are available on request.

All standard sizes of UNIMET can be specified with or without a carry handle. Sizes range from 230 x 190 x 50 mm to 350 x 260 x 150mm, all in light grey (RAL 7035)/window grey (RAL 7040) aluminium. Like TECHNOMET, UNIMET can now be specified in custom heights, widths and depths thanks to its updated bezel design.

View UNIMET range >>

ADVANCED UNIMET-PLUS ALUMINIUM INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES

It’s tempting to think of UNIMET-PLUS merely as UNIMET with PCB rails – but there’s more to these enclosures than that. UNIMET-PLUS is constructed in a completely different way. Yes, it still has a wraparound U-shaped top for easy access.

But instead, there’s an internal chassis; this adds strength, as well as providing the holes necessary to accommodate the clip-in polyamide PCB guides that are included as standard. And UNIMET-PLUS also goes one better than UNIMET by adding a rear bezel. Again this strengthens the case, and further boosts its aesthetics credentials. The removable rear panel is recessed.

The standard colour combination is the same as UNIMET: light grey (RAL 7035)/window grey (RAL 7040). And again there are six standard sizes, available with or without a carry handle. Please note, these sizes (230 x 193 x 50 mm to 350 x 263 x 150 mm) differ slightly from those of UNIMET. Custom sizes are available in all three dimensions.

View UNIMET-PLUS range >>

PREMIUM TECHNOMET 10.5" PORTABLE ENCLOSURES FOR 42HP ELECTRONICS

This is the 10.5" version of the TECHNOMET 19" desktop mini-rack. It’s designed to accept standard 42HP subracks, chassis and front panels. And it has all the elegant cohesive design features of its TECHNOMET progenitor – the flush-fit bezels, the concealed fixings and the striking appearance.

TECHNOMET 10.5" has the same standard ventilation slots as TECHNOMET (base and rear) for a smooth flow of cool air. All the case panels have M4 earthing pillars. And again, the removable rear panel and internal subrack/support rails are included as standard.

Like the original TECHNOMET, these 10.5" enclosures are available in the standard anthracite or light grey – or in any custom colour you’d prefer. In the 10.5" width, there are two sizes to choose from – (3U) 156.6 x 323 x 330 mm or (4U) 200 x 323 x 330 mm – both with or without a tilt/swivel handle. Custom heights, widths and depths are also available.

View the TECHNOMET 19" (10.5") range >>

INSTRUMET 19” AND 10.5" PORTABLE ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES

Prefer something simpler? The alternative (and predecessor) to TECHNOMET 10.5" is INSTRUMET 19" (and 10.5"), a proven desktop/portable model that remains a practical choice. Construction-wise, it takes its cues from both UNIMET and UNIMET-PLUS.

The U-shaped top is connected directly to a base panel (like UNIMET) while there are bezels at both front and rear (like UNIMET-PLUS). These bezels add strength but restrict custom sizes to width and depth. Custom heights are not available.

Internal subrack/chassis support rails are included, along with a rear panel, which – like the base – is ventilated as standard. Unlike the other enclosures featured so far, INSTRUMET has visible front fixing screws. This speeds up the removal of the front panel and front bezel.

All the INSTRUMET enclosures are 3U. There are two 19" sizes (157 x 516 x 350 mm and 157 x 516 x 450 mm) and one 10.5" size (157 x 303 x 350 mm). They can be specified either with or without an adjustable carry handle.

The standard colour is the light grey/window grey combination common to UNIMET and UNIMET-PLUS. Again, custom colours are available on request.

View INSTRUMET 19"/10.5"range >>

SPECIFY CUSTOMISED DESKTOP/PORTABLE ENCLOSURES

All these enclosures can be supplied fully customised so they can go directly to your production line, ready for the installation of your electronics.

Our in-house customisation services include:

• bespoke sizes
• custom front panels – the typical minimum order quantity is 10 pieces, based on the size of the panel
• fixings and inserts – choose from a wide selection, including threaded inserts and studs
• photo-quality digital printing of legends, logos and graphics.

View METCASE customisation services >>

GET EXPERT ADVICE ON PORTABLE ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES

Contact the METCASE team for specialist advice on how to specify the best standard or customised desktop and portable enclosures for your electronic instrumentation.