Industry
Sheet Metal Enclosures and Cabinets
Equipment cabinets, control boxes, chassis and front panels from 0.5 to 6 mm – cut, formed, welded, hardware inserted and finished as one part.
Direct answer: we build custom sheet metal enclosures from 0.5 to 6 mm mild steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Cutting and forming are held to ±0.10 mm, hardware such as PEM inserts and earth studs is installed before finishing, and the finish can be powder coating, plating or pre-coated sheet. Typical volumes run from 1 to 5,000 pieces per year.
Parts we make
- Equipment enclosures and control cabinets, with doors, gaskets, locks and cable entries
- Chassis and mounting frames for electronics and power equipment
- Front panels and faceplates with cut-outs, engraving and printed overlays
- Busbar and terminal supports, insulating mounting plates and earth bars
- Covers, guards, heat shields and EMI shielding covers
- Welded sub-assemblies and frames with fixture holes for alignment
What decides the price
| Cost driver | Effect on price | How to save |
|---|---|---|
| Wall thickness mix | Each different gauge adds a set-up and a material line | Use one gauge per part and one design thickness across the range |
| Tolerance class | Tighter than ±0.10 mm needs extra inspection and sometimes machining | Tighten only the mounting and mating features |
| Cosmetic requirement | Visible surfaces need protection, filler and rework after welding | State which faces are visible instead of “no scratches anywhere” |
| Hardware count | Each insert, stud or rivet adds time and inspection | Combine hardware types and define torque requirements once |
| Finish | Powder coating, plating and pre-coated sheet differ in cost and lead time | Match the finish to the environment, not to the look |
| Volume | Tooling and set-up are amortised over the batch | Give the annual volume and the batch size, not only the first order |
Design rules for enclosures
- Add bend reliefs at the end of every bend line and keep hole-to-bend distance at least 2.5 x thickness plus the bend radius.
- Define the sealing requirement (IP rating) before choosing the door and gasket design, because it changes the frame stiffness and the hardware.
- Put earth studs, cable entries and mounting holes on the drawing with their positions tied to datums, not to the sheet edge.
- For welded frames, add fixture or alignment holes so distortion is controlled by geometry rather than by welding skill alone.
- Allow for coating thickness – 60 to 100 µm for powder coating – on mating faces, threaded inserts and slide fits.
- Specify the flatness of the mounting face; a warped chassis moves the electronics out of alignment after assembly.
Finishes and when to use them
| Finish | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Powder coating | Indoor cabinets, visible equipment, RAL colour matching | 60 – 100 µm thickness affects threads and fits; mask earth points |
| Zinc plating | Indoor chassis and brackets, cost-sensitive parts | 48 – 96 hours salt spray; not for outdoor exposure |
| Galvanised sheet | Indoor enclosures where cut edges are acceptable | Cut edges are unprotected; touch-up is needed on visible edges |
| Stainless steel, brushed | Outdoor, food, medical and chemical environments | Higher material cost; welding discolouration must be removed |
| Anodising (aluminium) | Aluminium enclosures and front panels | Type II 5 – 25 µm; colour variation between batches |
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply the enclosure fully assembled?
Yes, sub-assemblies are built in house when the parts are made here – welded frames, riveted enclosures, hardware installed and finished. Commercial components such as locks, fans or connectors can be bought in, and we state clearly which parts are not made in house.
Can you meet an IP rating?
The enclosure is built to your design and the rating depends on the gasket, door and cable entry design. We manufacture and inspect to the drawing, and we say at quotation stage if the design as drawn cannot reach the requested IP rating.
What is the usual lead time for enclosures?
Samples in 7 to 15 working days after drawing approval, serial production in 3 to 4 weeks. Welded and powder coated parts take the longer end because of the finishing route.
Can you match a RAL colour?
Yes, powder coating is matched to the RAL code you specify, and a colour sample can be sent for approval before the batch is coated.
Send the enclosure drawing with the IP and finish requirement
Attach the STEP file plus the 2D drawing, the finish and the annual volume. You receive a quotation with DFM notes within 24 hours on weekdays.