Innovative enclosures for Industry 4.0

The Internet of Things (IoT) increasingly shapes the modern production process through intelligent networking. The fast, secure and reliable data exchange between the systems places ever greater demands on the electronics manufacturers and mechanical engineers. Thus the development to Industry 4.0 also affects the design and performance of the enclosures for the installation of control units. As an enclosure specialist, ROLEC has incorporated these requirements into its current range.

“An extraordinary and exciting challenge for us is to be as flexible as possible to meet individual customer requirements in mass production and to increase variability in production,” said Shane Dwight, ROLEC regional director for Australia and New Zealand. “The direct access to every single link in the production chain via the digital network — increasingly via Bluetooth or WLAN — must be fully guaranteed at all times. Based on the most diverse requirements resulting from daily production in practice, we have adjusted our range ideally.”

Because many controls are used in outdoor applications and are exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions (moisture, heat, cold, wind, etc), the highest possible ingress protection is crucial.

Thus, for example, the aluCASE enclosure from ROLEC corresponds to the protection class IP69K depending on the design. An important principle, which ROLEC has transferred to many other series of enclosures, is that the covers do not have to be opened by the customer when mounting on the wall or on machinery. This makes external mounting feet unnecessary — the design forms a compact unit.

Another example is aluPLUS: here the enclosure can even be replaced in the rain because of the high ingress protection provided by the sealing system of the enclosure that does not have to be opened when mounting.

According to Dwight, a popular alternative to the cube-shaped enclosures is the aluDISC variant with its cylindrical design. Especially in companies where the IoT is of great importance, the controls are often in immediate view. Since the optics should be coherent and harmonious in its own right, rounded designs for the systems are often a more suitable choice than square ones. aluDISC corresponds to protection class IP66 or IP67 (according to EN 60529). Its cast aluminium body is robust and produced in light grey; special colours are also available.

Mobility is another challenge of the modern industrial age. One solution is the mobilCASE enclosure, which is variable in length due to its aluminium profile construction. Robust end caps made of die-cast aluminium protect the enclosure and its built-in components in mobile field applications.

“The transmitter/receiver units in aluminium enclosures can be easily connected to the network via external antennas,” said Dwight.

“Depending on customer requirements, we also offer a wide range of plastic enclosures. This allows us to supply the tailor-made product for any desired use and size.”

An example of this is the starCASE enclosure, in which functionality and aesthetics form a convincing coherence. The lid holders also function as hinges, while stylish design covers cover the fixing screws. Mounting channels allow the enclosure to be mounted with closed covers, without the need for external fastening feet.

ROLEC will present its aluminium, stainless steel and plastic enclosures at Electronex 2017, to be held from 6–7 September in Melbourne. The company will also showcase its innovative suspension arm systems and accessories for modern, efficient production.