Electronic Plastic Housings | Plastic Enclosures for Electronics

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.

Elektronikgehäuse aus Kunststoff mit Deckel
Kunststoffgehäuse für Elektronik in transparent
Kunststoffabdeckung für elektronische Komponenten

Plastic Electronic Enclosures: Applications & Features

Elektronikgehäuse aus Kunststoff

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.

Kunststoffgehäuse_Langlebigkeit und Robustheit

Robust & Durable

Plastic housings for electronics are resistant to shocks, vibrations, and moisture. This makes plastic parts for electronics ideal for protecting electronic components.

Kunststoffgehäuse für Elektronik in Farbe

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.

DfM-Analyse Mockup

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:

ABS Kunststoff

ABS Plastic

Robust, all-round plastic that is easy to process and can be equipped with ESD. Particularly popular for electronic housings with high dimensional accuracy and a stable surface.

ASA Kunststoff

ASA Plastic

ASA is ideal for outdoor electronics applications or in production environments affected by light and temperature.

HD-PE Kunststoff

HD-PE Plastic

Particularly chemical-resistant and tough. In ESD-equipped form, HD-PE is well suited for transport containers and packaging for electronic components.

PC Kunststoff

PC plastic

PC has high impact resistance and good transparency. In its conductive form, PC is ideal for robust, shock-resistant electronic covers with ESD protection.

PMMA Kunststoff

PMMA Plastic

Transparent plastic with high surface quality. ESD version suitable for electronics housings where both optical clarity and conductivity are required.

Polystyrol (PS) Kunststoff_Thermoplastische Kunststoffe

PS Plastic

PS can be used with antistatic equipment for simple ESD packaging, especially for short periods of use or in disposable applications.

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

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Versatile Sizes and Shapes

There is a wide range of plastic enclosure sizes and shapes for different applications.

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Customization

Plastic electronics housings can be flexibly adapted to the electronic components.

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Easy Handling

The ergonomic design of plastic enclosures for electronics ensures easy handling.

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Efficient Handling

Transparent plastic housings for electronics provide a clear view of the electronic components, making component identification easier.

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Protection Against Damage

Plastic enclosures for electronics offer protection against shocks, vibrations, and other mechanical stresses.

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Insulation Capability

Plastic electronics housings are excellent insulators, protecting electrical components from short circuits.

Application Areas of Plastic Electronics Housings

Elektronikgehäuse aus Kunststoff mit Deckel

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.

Kunststoffgehäuse für Elektronik in transparent

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.

Medizintechnik Gehäuse

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 EnclosuresMetal Enclosures
WeightVery lightweight – ideal for mobile applicationsHeavier – robust, but less transport-friendly
Variety of shapesFreely formable – ideal for complex geometriesRestricted – rather angular and volume-based
Protective functionGood shock and vibration resistance, insulatingHighly resistant to impact, conducts electricity
ESD capabilityESD plastics possible (conductive)Conductive, but often requires insulation measures
Corrosion behaviourCorrosion-free – no additional protection requiredVulnerable without coating (e.g. paint, powder coating)
Appearance & DesignFreely selectable colours, surfaces, transparency possibleMostly industrial appearance, little customisation
Recyclability Separable by type, also possible from recycled materialsEasily recyclable, depending on the alloy
EMC protectionOnly through additional measuresNaturally shielding (e.g. aluminium)
ExpensesQuite low costsRelatively high costs

Industries that use Plastic Electronics Enclosures

Kunststoff Tiefziehteile für die Elektronik

Electronics

For effective protection of electronic components in production logistics

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Kunststoff Tiefziehteile für Automotive

Automotive

Fast, predictable, and flexible developments for what is arguably the most fast-paced industrial sector.

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Kunststoff Tiefziehteile für den Maschinenbau

Mechanical Engineering

Precise assembly processes for component groups and substitution of metal covers

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Kunststoff Tiefziehteile für Robotik

Robotics

Lightweight design and precision, fast prototype production, low tooling costs, short delivery times, scalable small & medium series

More Details

FAQ – Frequently asked Questions about Plastic Electronics Enclosures

What is a Plastic Electronics Enclosure?

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.

Which Materials are suitable for Electronic Enclosures?

Are custom Shapes and Cut-outs possible?

Can Plastic Enclosures also be printed on?

Are there transparent Housing Variants?

How robust are Plastic Electronic Enclosures?

Can the Housings be manufactured sustainably?

I already have a CAD-Model. Can I have it checked by you?

Configure Your Plastic Electronic Housing and Get an Offer Now.

Now configure your custom Plastic Enclosure for Electronics.

More information about ESD-Protection and Plastic Design

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