How To Specify Wearable Plastic Enclosures For Personal Electronics
OKW Enclosures, Inc.
OKW sets the design standards in the electronics industry for off-the-shelf plastic enclosures and tuning knobs.
THE RISE OF WEARABLE ELECTRONICS…
Wearables are a key growth area in electronics. And not just because of the popularity of smart watches. Fitness and biofeedback applications may be key drivers but they’re by no means the only markets.
Geolocation, emergency call, safety, digital communications, mobile data recording/transmission, measurement and control – there’s a world of applications waiting to be transformed by comfortable and convenient personal electronics.
These wearable devices must be highly ergonomic because they’ll be in direct contact with the human body for extended periods. And they must look great too, simply because they’re being worn.
At a fashion level, users want consumer electronics that look great (and make them look cool). And even with practical applications and the most pragmatic of end-users, that yearning for eye-catching aesthetics will always be there. So there can never be a compromise between functionality and looks: these devices must be smart in every sense of the word.
In the past that may have meant specifying fully bespoke enclosures – but now there’s an excellent choice of standard wearable housings that require very little customisation to make them truly unique…
BODY-CASE ENCLOSURES FOR WATCH STRAPS (AND MORE)
As OKW’s first-ever enclosure designed to fit a standard 18 mm watch strap, BODY-CASE is a shining example of today’s new generation of wearables…and not just because of its easy-to-clean glossy finish.
For a start, it’s more than a watch-style enclosure: you can wear BODY-CASE on a lanyard, clip it to a belt or pocket, attach it to a key ring or carry it loose. And then there’s the soft-touch TPV sealing ring. Aside from adding a dash of color, it also provides IP 65 ingress protection – a key consideration. There is a choice of tops: recessed to accommodate a membrane keypad, or unrecessed for something as simple as an LED for e-entry access control.
Power can be provided by PCB-mounted round/button cells. Or you could opt for an internal battery with inductive charging. The BODY-CASE range features docking stations as accessories – with the option of charging either single or multiple units.
AWARD-WINNING MINITEC WEARABLE ENCLOSURES
‘Customization as standard’ may sound like a contradiction in terms (and it pretty much is) but award-winning MINITEC begs to differ. This popular range of wearable enclosures is so large that that you’ll probably be able to find the enclosure you want as standard.
And if you do need any customization then very little will be required because so many choices are available as standard. That means less work, lower costs and faster shipping times.
What makes this possible is the sheer number of permutations based on version/shape (‘Drop’ or ‘Edge’), size, plastic (ABS or infrared transparent PMMA) and the type and color of the intermediate ring. These rings – most of them soft-touch SEBS/TPE – sit at the heart of the design (literally). They enable MINITEC to fit carrying straps, lanyards and key rings – or to accommodate USB cables. There’s also a strap eyelet (accessory) for belts.
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COMFORTABLE ERGO-CASE FOR LARGER WEARABLE DEVICES
We can’t say which big movie ERGO-CASE appeared in because we’re sworn to secrecy. But it was a global blockbuster and part of a much-loved franchise. And it’s fair to say that ERGO-CASE’s ergonomic curves and light, robust construction were probably of great comfort to our mystery star because moviemaking is an exhausting business…even when you’re the hero.
ERGO-CASE is larger than BODY-CASE and MINITEC – which always creates an added challenge. Larger enclosures inevitably carry more electronic components, adding to the overall weight. So the requirement for each housing to be comfortable is even higher.
Let’s not forget, this is a wearable enclosure that’s also big enough to be specified for wall-mounted roles. And while size XS can be worn on the wrist, sizes S, M and L are destined for belts; it takes the right kind of body contouring on a larger enclosure to ensure that it never feels too bulky when being worn.
AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE
SPECIFY CUSTOMIZED WEARABLE ENCLOSURES
All OKW enclosures can be specified fully customized – ready for your electronics. They can go straight from Goods In to your production line for installation of components. Specifying customized standard enclosures is quicker and more cost-effective than opting for fully bespoke housings.
As a specialist enclosures manufacturer, OKW carries out customization services in-house. So one supplier is accountable for the quality, consistency and delivery of your enclosures throughout the whole process. Higher quality, less administration, faster shipping.
OKW customization services include CNC machining, lacquering, digital printing of legends, logos and photo-quality graphics, laser marking, decor foils, special materials, RFI/EMI shielding, installation and assembly of accessories.
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