HOW DO I SPECIFY PLASTIC ENCLOSURES FOR SMART HANDHELD DEVICES WITH DISPLAYS?

BALANCING SCREEN SIZE AND ERGONOMICS

Handheld electronics always call for enclosures with superior ergonomics. Comfort is critical – users won’t appreciate a mobile device that doesn’t feel right. And adding a display can pose further design challenges.

Touch screens should make life easier for electronics designers: combining the display and controls into one capacitive touch screen takes up less space. But the screen must be big enough to view and operate, while the enclosure must be small enough to hold comfortably.

And there are other factors to consider too: contours, styling, battery, and ingress protection – along with resistance to impacts, UV light and other hazards such as EMI/RFI or chemicals. Fortunately, there are some great handheld enclosures that have been designed specifically to house displays…

CHOOSE CONTOURS FOR ERGONOMICS AND STYLE

Contoured corners are an important consideration for handheld display enclosures. Curves look modern and feel pleasant, making models such as SOFT-CASE perfect for wide-format displays. The housing’s optional intermediate rings add capacity – and a dash of style.

Specifying an intermediate ring in soft-touch SEBS makes the enclosure more tactile. SEBS feels like rubber but it’s a plastic – a refined, high-performance thermoplastic elastomer with better UV resistance than some other TPE types. It is well-suited to applications requiring flexibility, weather resistance and skin contact compatibility.

View the SOFT-CASE range >>

DESIGNED FOR STANDARD DISPLAY SIZES

Virtually all standard enclosures need to be modified to make them ‘production line ready’. However, many models have specialised design features that reduce the amount of customisation needed. And they achieve this without losing the versatility and discretion that are so vital for standard enclosures.

It takes surprisingly little customisation to transform an off-the-shelf enclosure into one that is unique to your product. A little machining and some digital printing of logos, legends and graphics may be all that is required. (Other customisation options include lacquering, laser marking, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding and installation/assembly of accessories.)

Models like DATEC-MOBIL-BOX need less machining because the range has variants that have been pre-moulded to suit popular display sizes. These include LCD Type 2"-LC-Glass, LCD Type 2 x 16 Compact or Standard, LCD Type 4 x 16 Standard, LCD Type 2 x 20 Miniature and LCD Types 4 x 20.

View the DATEC-MOBIL-BOX range >>

IP-RATED DISPLAY ENCLOSURES FOR CHALLENGING CONDITIONS

Devices intended for harsh industrial or outdoor environments must be IP rated to ensure they provide the right level of protection against dust and water ingress. IP 65 is a good starting point. The first digit 6 confirms complete protection against dust; the second digit 5 certifies that the enclosure can withstand low-pressure jets of water. The 15-minute spray test is based on 12.5 litres/minute (30 kPa) at a distance of three metres.

But protecting the display is not enough. If the device is being used for data recording and storage, then the SD card (and USB connectors) must also be safeguarded within the sealed area – as they are with DATEC-COMPACT. The enclosure must be robust and also resistant to UV rays. Ultraviolet light can cause plastics such as ABS to discolour and degrade. While ABS remains a good plastic for indoor duties, ASA+PC (UL 94 V-0) is a better choice for applications involving UV exposure.

View the DATEC-COMPACT range >>

POWERING YOUR HANDHELD DEVICE

It always pays to specify enclosures that offer a choice of sizes. This enables multiple devices in your range to share the same design language. And the same goes for power options too. Given that most handheld devices are likely to be mobile, it’s worth seeking out enclosures that offer a good choice of battery options – and docking stations for charging and data interchange.

DATEC-CONTROL’s four sizes – XS, S, M and L – collectively offer cell configurations including 2, 3, 4 and 5 x AA and 1 x 9 V. Sizes M and L can be specified with a plug-in battery pack (up to 5 x AA) with a mounting for PCMCIA cards. These IP 54 (M, L) and IP 65 (XS, S) enclosures feature a large head section for bigger display modules, and yet remain well balanced in the hand.

View the DATEC-CONTROL range >>

That ergonomic equilibrium also applies to HAND-TERMINAL (IP 65), one of our largest handheld housings. These impact-resistant PC+ABS enclosures are larger than the human hand – but they can still be held comfortably for long periods thanks to the rounded grip area on the underside. They’re ideal for machine control because the flat sides have space for an emergency stop button.

View the HAND-TERMINAL range >>

VERY LARGE HANDHELD ENCLOSURES FOR DISPLAYS

There is a fine line that separates handheld devices from portable electronics that are carried from place to place but not necessarily operated while being held. And the closer a device gets to that line, the more of a challenge it presents because the enclosure must satisfy both sets of requirements.

Models like CARRYTEC (IP 54) are a case in point. With three sizes (and a slim version), the CARRYTEC range offers housings that are small enough to hold and operate like a tablet – or large enough to carry like an attaché case.

Add to that the optional side bags (accessories) and there is plenty of room for any additional probes, sensors and cables that a device may require. These ancillaries can remain connected to the main unit during storage, ready for swift deployment.

View the CARRYTEC range >>

GET EXPERT ADVICE ON ENCLOSURES FOR DISPLAY DEVICES

Contact OKW for expert technical advice on which enclosure would be best for your electronic devices. Discover how easy it is to specify the ideal standard or customised housing for your device.

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