Plastic Housings for Electronic Components
Electronic plastic enclosures protect against dust, moisture, mechanical damage, and electromagnetic radiation
What Are Plastic Electronic Enclosures and What Are They Used For?
Plastic electronic enclosures are dimensionally stable protective casings designed to shield electronic components from external influences. Plastic housings for electronics provide insulation, protect against dust, moisture, and mechanical stress, and can also be manufactured with electrostatic discharge protection (ESD-safe) when required. They are used as enclosures for circuit boards, power distribution boxes, switches, or desktop devices and can be individually tailored to the specific geometry of each component.
Plastic Electronic Enclosures: Applications & Features
ESD-Protection
Through the use of conductive plastics, plastic enclosures for electronics are able to safely dissipate static charges, thereby protecting sensitive electronic components from external influences and damage.
Robust & Durable
Plastic housings for electronics are resistant to shocks, vibrations, and moisture. This makes plastic parts for electronics ideal for protecting electronic components.
Customizable
Plastic enclosures for electronics can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors depending on the application. Whether you need plastic enclosures in black, white, transparent, a RAL color, with assemblies, or a hinged lid—your plastic electronics enclosure will be created according to your requirements.
DfM analysis for Electronic Enclosures: Is your Design suitable for Thermoforming?
Do you already have a CAD-Model for your Plastic Electronics Enclosure? We will check it for you – free of charge and without obligation.
With our DfM analysis (Design for Manufacturability), we can determine at an early stage whether your design can be implemented economically and technically using the thermoforming process.
Applications of Plastic Electronic Housings
Electronics
- Household Appliances
- Power and Fuse Boxes
- Meter Cabinet Enclosures
- Adapters, Resistors
- Connectors
- Circuit Board Holders
- Production Covers
- Enclosures for Circuits
- Small Electronics Enclosures
- Desktop Electronics Enclosures
- Switch Enclosures Made of Plastic
Automotive
- Automotive interiors
- Car radios
- Assemblies for the automotive industry
- Push button switches
- Navigation systems
- Sensors
- Connectors
- Headlights
- Dashboards
- Door panels
- Consumer electronics
Mechanical Engineering
- Production facilities
- Plastic housings for control panels
- Sensors
- Switches
- Electronic components
- Measuring instruments
- Measurement technology
Which Materials are suitable for Plastic Electronics Enclosures?
Certain thermoplastics are used for ESD plastic housings, which are made electrically conductive by means of conductive additives or special fillers. Here is an overview of the most important ESD-compatible materials:
Further ESD-Thermoformed Products for Electronics
ESD-Workpiece Carriers & Trays
ESD plastic workpiece carriers are specially designed for the safe storage and structured transport of electronic assemblies, circuit boards, sensors and connectors. ESD trays feature customised nest shapes and ensure that each component fits perfectly, even during automated handling with robots or pick-and-place systems.
ESD-Transport Packaging
formary offers ESD transport packaging made of plastic for internal factory logistics and external shipping of sensitive electronics. The trays are stackable, reusable and space-saving. Thanks to their antistatic properties, they protect your components during storage and transport, especially in the case of loose goods or assembled components.
Advantages of Plastic Electronic Enclosures
Versatile Sizes and Shapes
There is a wide range of plastic enclosure sizes and shapes for different applications.
Customization
Plastic electronics housings can be flexibly adapted to the electronic components.
Easy Handling
The ergonomic design of plastic enclosures for electronics ensures easy handling.
Efficient Handling
Transparent plastic housings for electronics provide a clear view of the electronic components, making component identification easier.
Protection Against Damage
Plastic enclosures for electronics offer protection against shocks, vibrations, and other mechanical stresses.
Insulation Capability
Plastic electronics housings are excellent insulators, protecting electrical components from short circuits.
Application Areas of Plastic Electronics Housings
Plastic Covers for Electronic Components
In household appliances and power and fuse boxes, plastic covers, thermoformed enclosures, and covers made of ESD plastic are used for electrical components. Plastic electronics enclosures are not only versatile but also a sustainable option.
By reusing plastic electronics enclosures, waste is minimized, and the need for disposable materials such as cardboard or foam is reduced.
Electronics Enclosures in Energy and Building Services Engineering
Plastic electronics enclosures are often used in energy supply and building technology, for example as covers and enclosures for fuse boxes, electricity meters, connectors or smart home components. Household appliances such as washing machines, dryers and kitchen appliances also contain numerous sensitive electronic components that are protected from external influences by precisely fitting plastic enclosures.
Plastic Housings in Medical Technology
In medical devices and laboratory systems, Medical Technology Enclosures protect sensitive electronics, displays and connecting elements. Typical applications include portable diagnostic systems, patient monitoring devices and analytical measuring instruments, with a focus on hygiene, lightness and design customisation.
Comparison of Plastic and Metal in Electronic Enclosures
| Criterion | Plastic Enclosures | Metal Enclosures |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very lightweight – ideal for mobile applications | Heavier – robust, but less transport-friendly |
| Variety of shapes | Freely formable – ideal for complex geometries | Restricted – rather angular and volume-based |
| Protective function | Good shock and vibration resistance, insulating | Highly resistant to impact, conducts electricity |
| ESD capability | ESD plastics possible (conductive) | Conductive, but often requires insulation measures |
| Corrosion behaviour | Corrosion-free – no additional protection required | Vulnerable without coating (e.g. paint, powder coating) |
| Appearance & Design | Freely selectable colours, surfaces, transparency possible | Mostly industrial appearance, little customisation |
| Recyclability | Separable by type, also possible from recycled materials | Easily recyclable, depending on the alloy |
| EMC protection | Only through additional measures | Naturally shielding (e.g. aluminium) |
| Expenses | Quite low costs | Relatively high costs |
Industries that use Plastic Electronics Enclosures
FAQ – Frequently asked Questions about Plastic Electronics Enclosures
A plastic electronics enclosure protects electronic components from external influences such as dust, moisture, mechanical stress or electrostatic discharge (ESD). It is thermoformed and individually adapted to the component geometry.
