SIMCO Disclosures

We discuss all things to do with plastic enclsoures and thier applications in the electronics industry.

Enclosures closeout

October 7th, 2013

Q: I know that SIMCO‘s prices are without a doubt the lowest for a high quality off the-shelf enclosure, but I have a project where there is little allowance for the housing cost, and aesthetics or color is not a priority. Does SIMCO have any rejects, over-runs, or discontinued models at a closeout price?

A: SIMCO parts that do not meet our specs are usually not offered for resale. But, we do have some discontinued colors, such as TAN and MEDIUM GREY. We have limited quantities of custom colors, such as BLUE, WHITE, and YELLOW. Some sizes are even available in BLACK. These models are perfect for prototyping, low volume runs, or private label projects. Pricing is unbelievably low. Call us today and we will mail or FAX you our inventory and CLOSE-OUT price sheet. HURRY! Quantities are limited.

Another closeout that we are offering is on a larger custom enclosure. We have several thousand of these left in stock. These larger enclosures measure 1.65 x 8.36 x 9.12. They are molded of high quality ABS in a nice GREY color. The design features include molded-in mounting bosses, vertical card guides, and panel grooves. Assembly screws and rubber feet are included.

Dunamis PowerPad

October 7th, 2013

We are especially pleased to feature DUNAMIS in this post. DUNAMIS manufactures several computer interface
modules that allow children with special needs (Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and others) to operate a computer by pressing an oversized table (PowerPad) for input. The Super Port is an interface that connects a Power Pad touch tablet to the Apple IIe and IIGS computer.

The Mac PowerPad Interface connects a PowerPac touch tablet to the Macintosh computer. The SuperPort and Mac PowerPad Interface are designed in SIMCO‘s SATURN Series. SIMCO machines the openings for switches and connectors. The PC Bone Grey color chosen by DUN AMIS is computer compatible and the rich maroon silk-screening provided by SIMCO completes the attractive package.

This is Jason. Jason is six years old and has Down’s Syndrome. He is operating
a computer using the Dunamis PowerPad tablet and SuperPort Interface.

Multiple Products’ Aircraft Testing Equipment

October 7th, 2013

In this post, we are featuring a line of aircraft instrument test equipment built by Multiple Products Company in Titusville, Florida. These products are carefully engineered and hand-assembled to meet the stringent requirements of avionics repair shops and line test facilities.

Some of the products offered are : Percent Tachometer Testers, Synchro Simulators and Synchro Testers, like the one shown above. It has a two-channel, four-digit synchro tester I angle position indicator. The unit has resolution to 1/10 of a degree and a channel switch for monitoring one synchro. All instruments can be custom configured to meet user requirements. Custom test equipment fabrication is available.

Multiple Products designs into SIMCO‘s XPANDER Series of enclosures. The roomy, rugged construction allows plenty of assembly space to accommodate customer needs. SIMCO’s sturdy Tilt Stand/ Handle Kit completes the package.

Multiple Products Company
2755 Las Palmas Drive
Titusville, Florida 32780
(407) 269-4386

What these companies have in common?

October 7th, 2013

AT&T
General Electric
Florida State University
lvac Corporation
Martin Marietta
Nielsen Media Research
Scientific Atlanta
Texas Instruments
Wang Laboratories

All companies have all specified SIMCO enclosures for prototyping and/or production. More and more companies are doing the same. Find out for yourself why. Send for your full-line catalog today, and next time
“dress it with a SIMCO housing.”

Enclosures cut-outs

October 7th, 2013

Q: I know that SIMCO front and rear panels machine well; but, I need some cut-outs in the top of the enclosure itself. Can this be done and if so, how?

A: Yes, it can be done. The enclosures can be drilled or cut-outs can be made with a milling machine or pantograph. Why not let SIMCO quote the job for you? Work is done from your prints to your specifications. Some examples of our work (both panels and enclosures) are shown below. Don’t forget, some of the SIMCO enclosures can be custom molded with openings and cut-outs using our insert technique.

Black Box Corp

October 7th, 2013

“We want to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding level of service and cooperation that we have experienced with your firm. The quality level of the products you supply to us consistently exceeds a 99% acceptance rate and your delivery record consistently exceeds 95% on-time. These achievement levels are
OUTSTANDING!
Please accept our Award Certificate and display it proudly.
Again, THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS!”
William Madden
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

South Tech’s Fone Filter

October 7th, 2013

The “Fone Filter” is a small electronic switcher that connects to a single telephone line, which automatically routes voice, fax, answering machines, or computer calls to their proper device. This is accomplished through the use of the “distinctive,” or “custom,” ringing services offered in some areas by local telephone companies. Only one phone line is needed and up to three separate phone numbers can be assigned for each function. “Fone Filter” does the rest – automatically. No additional wiring or external power sources needed.

The “Fone Filter” is designed in SIMCO‘ s 36SDB Bone Grey enclosure. SIMCO machined openings in the deeper end of the unit for the phone ports. South Tech affixes a specially designed identification label to the recessed area of the unit, resulting in a customized, high-tech appearance.

2041 Harrison Street
Hollywood, Florida 33020
Ph. 305-923-9000 800-999-3297
FAX 305-923-6853

SIMCO Offers Pad Printing for All Plastic Enclosures

June 11th, 2013

SIMCO offers a pad printing process that will transfer two-dimensional images to any SIMCO plastic enclosure. Pad Printing allows SIMCO’s customers to display names, addresses, phone numbers, operating instructions, warnings, etc. on their products. The advantage of pad printing is that it allows printing on irregular surfaces that other forms of printing can’t manage.

SIMCO requires good clean artwork on a 1:1 scale in PDF, vector or jpeg format. The artwork is photographed and an etched plate is developed. The plate itself does not come into contact with the enclosures. The plate is placed in the ink well and the image is transferred to the plastic by means of a transfer pad. The transfer pad is constructed of silicone rubber that allows the pickup and release process to occur. Because the transfer pad is soft and flexible, it can conform to the surface of the object that is being printed.

SIMCO offers single color printing for simple jobs and multi-color pad printing when a more decorative solution is required.

“Expanding the options we offer our enclosure customers is part of our over-all growth strategy, according to SIMCO Vice-President and Production Manager Mike Early.

SIMCO has been a leading manufacturer of high quality standard and custom injection molded enclosures since 1982.

Its products include utility boxes, pocket-sized boxes, handheld cases and desktop housings. All SIMCO’s molded products are made of UL® approved materials.

IP Ratings and Plastic Enclosures

October 1st, 2012

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and IP ratings specify the degree of protection of enclosures against ingress of objects, dirt or water. The same protection against objects getting into an enclosure also implies a degree of protection against potential hazards within that enclosure; at the lower levels, the ratings indicate whether fingers or tools can enter.

What kind of an IP rating should you look for? That depends on the environment your enclosure will be used in. An enclosure with low IP rating might work fine in an office, but in a dusty factory the electronics could quickly fail. More rugged enclosures are usually more expensive, though, so it makes sense to get enclosures that fit the environment. If a device is not going to be submerged in water, 100% waterproofing is an unnecessary expense.

IP Ratings are written with the letters “IP” followed by two numbers, e.g. IP65, where the numbers define the degree of protection. The first number refers to the amount of protection against solids, and the second number refers to the amount of protection against water.

The first digit in the rating is the protection against contact and foreign bodies. The second digit in the rating is the water protection factor. Sometimes a third number is added, which refers to protection against impact.

SIMCO’s enclosures have an IP rating of IP65. This means that they have complete protection against dust and protection against low-pressure water jets.

For your reference, the full ratings are below:

Solid particle protection

The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.

Level	Object size protected against	Effective against
0	—	No protection against contact and ingress of objects
1	>50 mm	Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part
2	>12.5 mm	Fingers or similar objects
3	>2.5 mm	Tools, thick wires, etc.
4	>1 mm	Most wires, screws, etc.
5	Dust protected	Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact
6	Dust tight	No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

Liquid ingress protection

Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.

Level	Protected against	Testing for	Details
0	Not protected	—	—
1	Dripping water	Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.	Test duration: 10 minutesWater equivalent to 1mm rainfall per minute
2	Dripping water when tilted up to 15°	Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position.	Test duration: 10 minutesWater equivalent to 3mm rainfall per minute
3	Spraying water	Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.	Test duration: 5 minutesWater volume: 0.7 litres per minutePressure: 80–100 kPa
4	Splashing water	Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.	Test duration: 5 minutesWater volume: 10 litres per minutePressure: 80–100 kPa
5	Water jets	Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.	Test duration: at least 3 minutesWater volume: 12.5 litres per minutePressure: 30 kPa at distance of 3m
6	Powerful water jets	Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.	Test duration: at least 3 minutesWater volume: 100 litres per minutePressure: 100 kPa at distance of 3m
7	Immersion up to 1 m	Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion).	Test duration: 30 minutesImmersion at depth of 1m
8	Immersion beyond 1 m	The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects.	Test duration: continuous immersion in waterDepth specified by manufacturer

Why SIMCO uses ABS plastic for electrical and electronics enclosures

September 11th, 2012

Most SIMCO enclosures are made from ABS plastic. SIMCO uses several different formulations to meet a variety of specifications, including enhanced flame resistance or structural strength in combination with different pigments.

ABS is short for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. ABS plastics are made from a combination of monomers made from propylene, ammonia, butane, and coal. ABS plastics combine the best properties of the three main components. Acrylonitrile and styrene polymers bring strength and rigidity. The nitrile groups attract each other and bind the chains together, making ABS stronger than pure polystyrene. The styrene gives the plastic a shiny, impervious surface. Butadiene gives a rubbery toughness that allows ABS to bend without snapping, even at low temperatures. While not generally considered flexible, ABS parts have enough spring to accommodate snap-fit assembly requirements such as SIMCO’s screwless boxes.

The most important mechanical properties of ABS are impact resistance and toughness. A variety of modifications can be made to improve impact resistance, toughness, and heat resistance. Other advantages include resistance to water, salts, most inorganic acids, food acids, and alkali; and electrical insulating properties over a wide range of frequencies. ABS plastics are easily machined, and can be stamp printed or painted. This allows SIMCO to customize your enclosure to suit your exact requirements. ABS is also light weight, and has a moderate price.

SIMCO’s standard enclosures use PA-756 for grey enclosures or GP-22 for black. Both these plastics are rated under UL test 94 for horizontal burn. For better flame resistance and a UL 94VO rating, SIMCO uses PA-765. Specification sheets can be downloaded from the SIMCO website at http://simcobox.com/Spec-Sheets.html

For more information about SIMCO products, visit the website at http://www.simcobox.com or call Mike Early at 863-452-9090.