Custom Machine Enclosures: What You Need to Know
Unfortunately, not every machine can fit into a standard enclosure. Some are unnecessarily large, some need more access points, and others don’t do enough to address environmental issues that could affect the machine, whether that’s due to airflow requirements, temperature, or something else.
Because the needs of each industry and business can vary so much, a standard enclosure can rarely get the job done well. By custom building your enclosure, you have far greater control over how the machine is protected, as well as your workers’ safety.
In this guide, we’ll cover what custom machine enclosures are, some design considerations, and more.
What Is a Custom Machine Enclosure?
A custom machine enclosure is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a protective layer built specifically around a piece of equipment, and it’s designed specifically for your machine. These enclosures are used in all kinds of industries, including many different types of manufacturing, aerospace, medical devices, oil & gas, food production, and more.
Basically, they can be used anywhere machines need protection or isolation. For example, if you’re working with equipment with tight tolerances, like a CNC machine, isolating the entire process inside a CNC enclosure can help your results stay consistent.
5 Things to Think About When Designing a Custom Machine Enclosure
If you’re considering building a custom enclosure, there are a few important factors to weigh early in the process. Getting these right upfront makes it easier to get a final product that works the way you need it to.
1. The Size of the Machine
Obviously, the enclosure needs to fit your machine. But depending on what type of machine you’re working with, you may need to plan some space around the machine, too.
Do your workers need to walk around the machine? Will you need to remove parts or panels from time to time? Is there enough room for maintenance?
Also, don’t forget to think vertically. You’ll want enough overhead space for anyone working inside the enclosure, especially if parts need to be lifted or if there’s equipment mounted up top.
2. Temperature, Humidity, and Airflow
Some machines are affected more than others by temperature. In fact, some manufacturing processes can be ruined if the temperature is off even by a few degrees. That’s why many enclosures need to include some type of airflow or cooling, especially if the machine gets hot during use.
Depending on what you’re working with, that might mean adding vents, making room for fans or exhaust blowers, or sealing the enclosure and creating a positive pressure space in order to keep out dust.
In some spaces, too, humidity can be just as important as temperature or airflow. Too much moisture in the air can cause damage to parts or make them rust. This is especially true for EDM machining, where even slight environmental changes can affect precision. Creating EDM enclosures can make a big difference.
3. Noise Control
Furthermore, there’s the issue of noise, which might not seem like a big deal at first, but your workers may disagree.
Custom enclosures give you a way to control noise right at its source. That might mean using sound-dampening panels, lining the inside with acoustic foam, or other soundproofing measures.
4. Machine Access
One of the biggest advantages of a custom enclosure is being able to decide exactly where and how people can open it up. Maybe you need swinging doors on one side, or a large roll-up door to bring in carts, tools, or larger parts when needed.
Some machines need access from more than one direction. In other cases, a clear viewing panel might be enough to check on the equipment without opening anything at all. And sometimes, there are areas you rarely touch, so those can be sealed off completely.
It’s worth walking through the full maintenance and operation routine with your team because the last thing you want is to realize after installation that a panel blocks access to something important.
5. Safety Requirements
Finally, another big reason many companies go with custom enclosures is to meet specific safety standards. That might mean OSHA regulations, or it might be internal policies designed to protect workers from things like moving parts, heated surfaces, or other dangers.
Depending on your setup, you might need safety interlocks that cut power when a door is opened, emergency stop buttons mounted outside the enclosure, or lock-out points to make things safer. By choosing a custom enclosure, the options are almost limitless in terms of design.
The Bottom Line
A standard enclosure may work sometimes for basic setups, but in general a custom enclosure gives you much more control over the health of your machine, your team’s safety, and how your equipment fits into the environment.
Interested in getting started in building a custom machine enclosure? Reach out to the experts at MachineEnclosure.com for a quote on new American-made buildouts today.
FAQs About Custom Machine Enclosures
1. How long does it take to install a custom machine enclosure?
Installation times can vary depending on the size and complexity of the enclosure, but most jobs can be completed within a few days once the enclosure is delivered.
2. Can a custom enclosure be modified after it’s built?
Yes, absolutely. Many custom enclosures are built using modular framing systems, which makes it easier to add doors, panels, or new access points later on. This flexibility is one of the big advantages of going custom.
3. Are these enclosures movable if we reconfigure our layout?
Often, yes. If your enclosure is modular, it can usually be disassembled and reinstalled in a different location. This is another big advantage of building custom enclosures.
