TECHNOMET INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES: WHICH MODEL IS BEST FOR MY PRECISION ELECTRONICS?

TECHNOMET ENCLOSURES SYSTEM

METCASE’s TECHNOMET enclosure systems set the benchmark for professional aluminium instrument housings. Designed for high quality electronics applications, TECHNOMET combines precision engineering with exceptional flexibility, making it ideal for test and measurement equipment, industrial controls and desktop instrumentation.

The robust aluminium construction provides excellent durability and inherent EMC shielding, while the clean, modern aesthetics ensure the finished product looks elegant, underlining the quality of the advanced electronics inside.

One of TECHNOMET’s key strengths is its modular design. With multiple standard sizes, panel options and extensive customisation possibilities, designers can quickly tailor an enclosure to their exact requirements without compromising on build quality or lead times. Machined panels, fixings/inserts, custom finishes and printing are all available, allowing seamless integration of displays, connectors and controls.

With TECHNOMET, METCASE offers a premium enclosure system that supports both rapid development and long term product reliability. Choose the best version for your system from the list below:

View our full range of instrument enclosures >>

TECHNOMET PREMIUM ENCLOSURES FOR BENCHTOP ELECTRONICS

The original TECHNOMET is typically the starting point for benchtop instrumentation. These premium enclosures are characterised by their modern cohesive design with no visible fixing screws. Diecast front and rear bezels fit flush with the main case body. Options such as a sloping front, tilt feet and an adjustable handle/stand make it easy to view and operate displays, keypads and other controls. Side handles are available as standard on larger sizes.

From a design perspective, this format excels in applications where the user interacts directly with the instrument on a desk or workbench. Test and measurement equipment, laboratory instruments and medical devices are all typical use cases. Removable front and rear panels (and a slide-off wraparound top cover) offer swift and easy access to PCBs installed in guide rails or on mounting pillars.

TECHNOMET Desktop Enclosures >>

TECHNOMET TX TOWER VARIANT

TECHNOMET TX’s capacious tower format saves benchtop space and presents displays at eye level. By going vertical, the TX accommodates larger PCBs, power supplies or complex internal assemblies without an increase in the desktop footprint. It also improves natural convection, which can be advantageous for thermal management in passively cooled designs.

From an integration standpoint, the TX format is well suited to systems that combine instrumentation with embedded computing, data acquisition hardware or multiple modules because it solves three practical constraints at once: space efficiency, internal layout flexibility and thermal behaviour. TX lends itself to applications where cable entry and routing benefit from a vertical layout, such as when interfacing with multiple external devices.

Six great reasons to specify a tower enclosure >>

TECHNOMET 19" DESKTOP MINI-RACKS

The TECHNOMET 19" range bridges the gap between standalone instrumentation and rack-based systems. These enclosures adopt the standard 19" mounting width but are designed for desktop use, effectively creating a mini-rack environment.

Compatibility is the primary advantage here. If your system is built around 19" (84HP) subracks, plug-in modules or standardised front panels, TECHNOMET 19" allows you to maintain that architecture in a desktop format. This is particularly useful during development, testing or in smaller installations where a full rack cabinet would be excessive.

TECHNOMET 19" is ideal for housing subracks, rack-mounted power supplies or instrumentation that may later be transferred into a full rack system. Its strength further becomes apparent when used alongside METCASE rack cases such as COMBIMET. Engineers can develop and deploy equipment in a desktop 19" format then seamlessly integrate the same units into a rack environment without redesigning the enclosure or front panel layout. This continuity reduces development time and ensures consistency across product lines.

TECHMOMET 19" enclosures are also available in a 10.5" width as standard with tilt/swivel carry handles available on the 3U and 4U heights if required. They allow a 42HP subrack or front panel assembly to be housed cleanly and without compromise. They give you sufficient side margin for guide rails, internal fixings and cabling without creating a cramped or thermally inefficient layout.

View TECHNOMET 19"/10.5" enclosures >>

TECHNOMET-CONTROL VESA-MOUNT HMI ENCLOSURES

In many industrial and medical environments, it is not practical or safe to place instrumentation on a desk. Operators may need controls positioned at eye level, within reach of machinery or equipment, or in locations where space is constrained.

TECHNOMET-CONTROL enclosures are designed with this in mind. They typically feature robust construction, secure mounting points and large front operating panels that are perfect for standard displays, panel PCs, HMIs and touchscreens of various sizes.

The enclosures have been designed to house standard displays from manufacturers including Siemens, Turck Banner, Beijer, Beckhoff and B&R. The rear panel features standard VESA MIS-D 100 fixings for easy mounting. Fitting TECHNOMET-CONTROL to a suspension arm allows for adjustable positioning – improving ergonomics and reducing operator fatigue.

This approach is particularly beneficial in production lines, cleanrooms and clinical settings, where flexibility and accessibility are critical. It also helps to protect equipment from spills, dust or accidental damage that might occur at bench level.

View the TECHNOMET-CONTROL range >>

ACCESSORIES FOR TECHNOMET

One of the often underappreciated strengths of the TECHNOMET range is the ecosystem of accessories that supports it. These enclosures are not just standalone housings; they are designed as part of a broader system approach to instrumentation design.

Typical accessories include mounting plates, shelf kits, PCB guides, panel fixings, carry handles, and rack and pole mounting hardware where appropriate. These accessories allow engineers to configure their chosen enclosure internally and externally, minimising the amount of customisation work required – saving time and money.

The availability of accessories across the ranges also helps to standardise designs, particularly for OEMs developing multiple products. It reduces engineering time, simplifies procurement and ensures a more uniform product family from both a mechanical and visual perspective.

CUSTOMISATION AND FINISHING

In practice, very few premium instruments are shipped in completely standard enclosures. Customisation is where the TECHNOMET range really comes into its own. The aluminium construction lends itself exceptionally well to CNC machining, allowing precise cutouts for connectors, displays and controls. Front and rear panels can be professionally finished with digital printing, linishing and anodising for a smart, durable appearance that reflects the sophistication of the electronics that sit behind them.

Other customisation services include fixings and inserts, and powder coating in custom colours – often with no extra cost or minimum order requirement if the RAL code specified is from the ‘always in stock’ range. Colours can be specified by RAL or pantone reference, or by matching them with existing samples.

METCASE carries out all customisation work in-house. This ensures accuracy, quality and complete accountability from start to finish – one supplier is responsible for everything throughout the entire manufacturing process.

Smart design and a wide choice of standard enclosures reduces the amount of work needed. Advanced machining and printing technology further reduces costs. This makes customisation viable even for low-volume orders – a key factor for niche instrumentation applications.

View the full range of customisation services >>

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