Tag Archives: Plastic Enclosures

What are the Characteristics of Permanent Ink Used in Printing on Plastic Enclosures?

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The ink used for customizing plastic enclosures can be compared to the charmingly rustic wedding I just went to recently. With this in mind, I wonder how the characteristics of the newlyweds (bride and groom) can be used as an example to describe the characteristics of ink used in printing on an electrical enclosure. What are the characteristics that are needed to be carefully considered?

We have already looked at some of the potential issues that can potentially damage the branding of the product. While there are some of the issues that were not as big based on the end-use, it still begs to differ: what is the cost of this to be worth the time and effort?

I guess your initial answer is “No”. And you are just right. The correct answer is to use a permanent ink that is just light-and weather resistant. With this, we have already discussed the possible damages that can be caused by light and its effect on the graphics. You want an ink that can give you a good chemical and alcohol resistance to.

With this in mind, you do not want to think about someone being intentional in damaging the project. However, these types of situations do happen. The branding on the product is just part of the advertising. Somebody with a cotton boll and a vengeance should not be able to destroy the hard work.

Let us take a look at another example:

If you are out in the field after installing the products in the customers’ homes, under a steamy summer day with humidity levels reaching 90F, it is inevitable that your body temperature will also rise. You are already hot and you wipe your brow with your fingers. The next thing you will do is to pick up the next product that you would like to be installed. If you had used the electronic enclosure ink after the perspiration – and oil/grease-resistant ink, you have nothing to worry about.

Once the ink used to print on the plastic enclosure does not have these properties, there is a tendency that there will be parts of the printing that can be discolored when touched. The worst-case scenario is if you remove the parts (of all) of the lettering, logo, or design printing from the enclosure, it will leave a less-than-perfect finish.

Protecting the nema enclosures from its end use is just as important as other parts of the design. The design engineer should be sure about using the right materials in order to meet the demands of the customers. What ink characteristics do you look for other materials in the enclosure?

How Plastic Enclosures React to High-Temperature Options

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Not only metal sheets are utilized in creating electronic enclosure, also plastic. With this in mind, materials react differently to certain temperature especially plastic. The ABS plastic’s melting point is estimated to be 176 degrees F (80 degrees C). This can only mean one thing for design engineers. Plastic enclosure made from this material cannot have prolonged exposure to 176 degrees because it will begin to lose it shape. Once the ABS is exposed to very hot temperatures, the enclosure will begin to soften and eventually lose it shape. If the company left it in a place where the high temperature exists, it will eventually have a baked enclosure.

Also, once the enclosure is exposed to this kind of temperature and there is something on top of it, it can also cause the enclosure to collapse very easily. Not in an instant but it will hasten the collapsing process. The enclosure will eventually settle into La Brea Tar Pits. If the enclosure is utilized in a project test, it will result to a failed one.

Luckily for the design engineer, he or she can choose a more appropriate material for enclosures that can withstand the high temperature and can retain their structure even if exposed to high heat. These materials can be found inside the interiors of a vehicle, or in processing plants where the temperature is high. With this in mind, we recommend using the enclosures that are formed from Nylon or Noryl. These plastic can maintain their form even if exposed in high temperature environments. Comparing to ABS, Noryl is durable in terms of temperature. You can approach the enclosure manufacturing company if this material is available for your company. For sure, if the material is available they will help you in terms of design.

There is also another option for plastic material, this is called polycarbonate. This is a waterproof materials and can be used for outdoor applications. This is considered to be flame-retardant. Meaning the material maintains the integrity or shape of the enclosure and it can prevent melting even if exposed to higher temperatures. The high-temperature materials are more expensive than its counterparts because the capability and the property of these materials are increased. Make sure to first determine where the enclosure will be used so that the design engineer can effectively tell what material should be used in certain type of application. If the company will use the enclosure in low-heat environments, then an ABS option is best suited for this.