What to Know Before Buying a Machine Enclosure
For better or worse, there’s a lot more that goes into a machine enclosure than putting four walls around a piece of equipment.
And while you don’t need to have every detail figured out before you start looking, there are a few things worth knowing ahead of time. Getting them right early can save you a lot of back and forth later.
In this article, we’ll discuss what to think about before buying one, the decisions that can affect the final design, and what you should have ready when it’s time to get a quote.
First Figure Out What You’re Trying to Solve
This may sound obvious, but most people aren’t particularly clear about what they need.
Before you even start looking, make sure you can answer thoroughly why you need the enclosure in the first place.
For example, if it’s to solve OSHA issues, then the enclosure needs to focus on keeping people away from hazardous parts while the machine is running. You may also need features like interlocked doors as well as enough structural strength to contain any flying debris.
If it’s a noise issue (which, to be fair, could also be classified as an OSHA problem), you may benefit from sound-dampening materials and certain construction methods that limit the ability of it to spread. The main goal of course is to keep the noise inside the enclosure instead of spreading across the floor.
Or, if it’s a quality-focused issue, like inconsistent results on tight-tolerance work, then you’ll need an enclosure with environmental controls. Things like temperature, humidity, air filtration, or some combination of them.
And sometimes it’s all of the above. A CNC machine, for example, can create noise, flying debris and coolant, as well as air quality problems all at once. In that case, the enclosure needs to do several things at the same time.
The point is that whatever you’re trying to solve determines what you need to buy. So we always recommend that new buyers start there.
Decide What Conditions You Need to Control
This is where the cost and complexity of your enclosure gets decided, so it’s worth thinking through carefully.
A basic enclosure that just contains debris and provides machine guarding is a simpler build. But if your application requires more, you may need to manage one or more of the following:
Temperature. For precision work, even a few degrees of change over a shift can push parts out of spec. CMMs, for example, need to be held at around 20°C with very little fluctuation. CNC tight-tolerance work and EDM cutting are also sensitive to temperature changes.
Humidity. This usually goes hand in hand with temperature. Too much moisture can cause condensation, corrosion, or material problems. Too little can create static.
Noise. If your machine is loud enough to trigger OSHA’s hearing conservation requirements (85 dBA and above), sound-absorbing materials and sealed construction can help bring things under control.
Air quality. Coolant mist, metal dust, fumes. If the machine puts stuff into the air, you may need ventilation or extraction to keep it contained.
Vibration. For extremely sensitive equipment like CMMs, the enclosure’s construction and where it’s placed on your floor can help reduce the impact of vibration from surrounding machines and activity.
Not every enclosure needs all of these. A lot of applications only need one or two. But knowing which ones matter to you will help you avoid paying for things you don’t need, or worse, ending up with an enclosure that doesn’t actually solve your problem.
What to Have Ready When You Call for a Quote
When you reach out to a manufacturer, having a few basics ready will make the process a lot smoother. Things like:
- What machine or process you’re enclosing
- The size and footprint of the equipment
- What problems you’re trying to solve (OSHA, noise, quality, etc.)
- Whether you need any environmental controls
- How much floor space you have available
- Any special access needs for maintenance, tool changes, etc.
- Whether you’re building new or retrofitting around existing equipment
You don’t need to have every answer figured out, as that’s what the initial consultation is for. But the more you can share upfront, the more accurate your quote will be.
The Bottom Line
Buying a machine enclosure doesn’t have to be complicated. If you know what problem you’re solving, what conditions you need to control, and what your machine requires, you’re most of the way there.
And if you’re not sure about any of it, that’s what we’re here for. Reach out to us at MachineEnclosure.com and we’ll help you figure out what makes sense.
