Machine Enclosure Design: A Simple Guide
Industrial machinery is an expensive investment, and yet protecting it is often an afterthought. Sometimes companies spend six figures or more on new equipment, and then fail to surround it with anything, not even basic fencing.
This lack of foresight can lead to serious problems: whether in the form of safety issues, equipment damage, or noise complaints. A machine enclosure, and especially one that is designed well, can prevent many of these issues by creating a controlled space around the equipment.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of machine enclosure design, including what to consider, material selection, and more.
Introduction to Machine Enclosure Design
A machine enclosure is essentially a cover or structure built around a piece of equipment, and it can be done for a variety of reasons. For one, it helps protect people from the moving parts, chips, coolant, and excessive noise. They are also used, however, to protect the machine itself; it can help keep out dust, moisture, and various conditions that may affect the work or longevity of the equipment.
Nowadays, machine enclosures are more than simply metal boxes. They can have specialized panels made of all kinds of materials, and built to fit all kinds of requirements.
What’s more, you’ll find them just about everywhere. They are often used to protect CNC machines, create controlled environments for laser cutters or CMM rooms, and for many other industrial uses. Regardless of the industry, machine enclosure design is the art of designing a space around your equipment that keeps both the machine and your workers safe.
What to Consider When Designing a Machine Enclosure
Designing a machine enclosure isn’t complicated, but you do need to think it through. Here are a few things to sort out before you start building.
1. Machine Size and Surrounding Space
When designing a machine enclosure, you’ll want to figure out how much space you want between the wall and the machine. For machines that you don’t need to access often, you may want a tight fit. But if your equipment requires an operator, or you need to store raw materials in the same space, then you will likely need a bigger enclosure.
2. Environmental Conditions
Many if not most machines have ideal operating temperatures, and running them outside that range can cause issues with use. Some machines need to stay within a few degrees or they will not be able to perform their work. As a result, enclosures often need to control conditions like temperature, humidity, lighting, air quality, and more.
3. How Workers Will Access the Machine
This probably should be considered when thinking of the size, but it’s worth the extra emphasis. Whether for daily use or repairs/maintenance, you still have to consider how people will reach/access the machine.
For instance, if you need to transport a lot of materials in or out, you may need something like a roll-up door. With modular, there is a lot of customization you can choose to aid access, so you can add things like sliding doors, double doors, or removable panels.
4. Choosing Between Modular and Traditional Construction
Generally speaking, if you want to build an enclosure around your machinery, there are two main ways: traditional and modular.
With traditional construction, you essentially create a permanent structure around the equipment. It can work well if you don’t expect any changes, but even still, it’s time-consuming and requires the coordination of many contractors.
Modular enclosures, on the other hand, are much more flexible, as they use prefabricated panels and parts that can be assembled directly in your factory. They are installed quickly, can be changed later if needed, and are fully customized to fit your machine and space.
Material Selection for Machine Enclosures
For machine enclosure design, the materials matter just as much as anything else. Your exact choice of materials will depend, of course, on what you’re trying to accomplish with your enclosure. Here are some of the most common materials used in machine enclosure design and why they’re chosen:
- Aluminum: Fairly lightweight and tough. Aluminum is especially common for modular framing systems because this.
- Steel: Tough and resistant to rust, moisture, and chemicals. Great for particularly harsh environments.
- Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP): High strength-to-weight ratio. Not as tough as steel, but still holds up well against corrosion and chemicals.
- Composite Panels: Made from layered materials like metal and foam or mineral cores. These can have a variety of benefits, depending on the exact materials it is composed of, but can be good for reducing noise, help with insulation, or resisting impacts.
The Bottom Line
Machine enclosure design is all about keeping your equipment protected and your team safe. Planning out the size, materials, and how people will access the machine will save you from much bigger problems down the road. Whether you go with modular or traditional construction, the important thing is making sure the enclosure is built to match the value of the equipment it’s protecting.
Interested in setting up modular machine enclosures? Reach out to the experts at MachineEnclosure.com today to get a quote and begin the design phase.
FAQs About Machine Enclosure Design
1. Can machine enclosures be moved after they’re installed?
If it’s a modular one, then yes. Modular systems are designed to be easy to take apart, expanded, or moved as you see fit. Traditional enclosures, on the other hand, are permanent and would require demolition if you need to move your machinery.
2. How long does it take to install a modular enclosure?
Most modular enclosure systems can be installed within a few days, but it will all depend on how complex the structure is. If it’s a large space and has a lot of features, it could take a week or two; however, it’s much faster than traditional construction.
3. Are there standard sizes for machine enclosures?
No, not really. Some manufacturers may have a few standard sizes, but in general it’s best to custom fit them, as needs will vary.
