Re: rack mount equipment box help
- From: "Richard H." <rh86@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 11:44:44 -0700
Andrew P. Follett wrote:
I've builit an audio project (a stereo 16 X 8 matrix mixer for a band's in ear monitor system). I need a source for some place that can make me a metal enclosure(s) to fit in a standard "road case" (19" equpment rack). Same place needs to be able to punch/drill out all the holes for the knobs/jacks etc. It would seem simple to find such a place but I either end up talking to businesses that make airconditioning duct work or beams for bridges! Anyone had "boxes" made? Dallas, Tx area - if that helps.
Unless the quantity is large, you'll want to start with a stock box and have a local shop cut it with a laser or water jet. Many are designed to take a separate front panel insert, which you can source pre-cut from a shop like Front Panel Express.
The trade rags like EE Times have ads for enclosure makers; some popular ones are Bud and OKW, and the usual distributors offer many (but not all) of their lines - see Digi-Key, Newark, Allied, etc. for a starter.
At 2-3 rack units and above (1.75" per RU) there are a lot of options out there - look for "enclosure". At the 1RU size, the options are a lot more limited for some reason. There are shops that will make cases for you custom, but at ~$200 apiece for a short run; that's a lot of money for something that should be a stock item. At this rate, it's easy for the enclosure to be 50% of your bill of materials.
Something else to consider... buying a pre-fab unit with power supply and fan may be a ton easier/faster/cheaper than rolling your own solution. (It's not hard for the mechanical aspects to take as much effort as the electronics.) Also, don't forget about safety (e.g., UL) and FCC certs.
Here's a collection of links I've compiled over time... http://www.okwenclosures.com/catalogue/metal/info_pages/mettec19info.htm http://www.sescom.com/enclosures/rack_chassis.html http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=prod&grp=220 (I like the H5035, a steel box with a nice beveled face.) http://www.chassis-plans.com/custom/custom-showcase.html http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB5120&CATID=5 http://www.lansing-enclosures.com/ http://www.web-tronics.com/1usteelchasw.html http://www.jdr.com/interact/item.asp?itemno=GR-3120A http://www.protocase.com/products/standard.asp http://www.industrial-enclosures.com/html/19-inch-enclosures.html
Front Panel work: http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/home/index.htm http://www.polycraftinc.com/samples.htm
Server cases: http://www.rackmountplus.com/list.asp?MENU_SEQ=10101&PAGE=3 http://www.servercase.com/
Good luck! Richard .
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