How to Choose the Right Small Enclosures to Help Reduce Your Automation Footprint

How are manufacturers striving for increased digital connectivity in order to leverage a more data-driven, transparent approach to manufacturing? It's a big but valid question!

There are a few things to consider: a more connected ecosystem has a number of benefits in terms of production efficiency, flexibility, and output. It does present some challenges in maximising the space of your production floor...

For example, a more connected automation infrastructure can mean an increased number of industrial enclosures to help power manufacturing equipment, and this can pose a significant challenge for manufacturers in the automotive and material handling space who are already struggling to make the most of both new and retrofitted facilities.

Small enclosures can help alleviate this concern, but not all small enclosures are designed equally. Here, we'll look at a few things to consider when choosing the right small industrial enclosure to help reduce your automation footprint without sacrificing a more connected, robust automation ecosystem.

Unique or Challenging Manufacturing Deployments

For many designers and engineers, environmentally harsh industrial applicants call for large unibody enclosures in part due to their strength, durability, and protection against the ingress of hazardous particles. But automation architects should not sleep on the ability of the right small industrial enclosures to provide the same degree of toughness while mitigating the use of space that is part of large enclosures.

This is particularly true in the material handling space, where handlers are faced increasingly with the idea of retrofitting existing facilities for warehouse automation.

Retrofitting means getting creative with your automation infrastructure to include components like overhead conveyors or parcel-picking equipment that can handle the massive influx of parcels in the material handling pipeline - and each of these requires maximising the use of factory space via enclosure configuration flexibility, mounting versatility, and panel wiring capacity.

Plus, the growth of distribution centers and warehouses means more variance in location and climate, and this means small enclosures that are engineered for indoor and outdoor use.

Rittal's line of wallmount industrial enclosures is not only designed for the highest level of protection with up to IP 66, but the ability to mount these small enclosures to the wall helps you reduce the number of enclosures on the factory floor. Foamed-in-place gaskets and a cold rolled steel body and door help ensure electrified panels do not come in contact with damaging airborne particles. What's more, Rittal's wallmount enclosures offer quick, simple configuration and installation, and flexible cable entry points help manufacturers customise the enclosure to their specific needs.

Rittal's new WMV Vented Enclosure Type 3R is specifically designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions of outdoor deployments while also optimising the layout of your facility. Sensitive electronics can be extremely susceptible to heat, dust, moisture, and debris, but the new WMV vented enclosure is engineered to overcome these elements via:

• Maximum protection against corrosion
• Easy access for simplified troubleshooting and a more proactive approach to maintenance
• Filter and fans to provide more optimised cooling
• Vented hood and rood module to better dissipate heat
• The durability and space-saving capability of the WMV make it ideal for distribution hubs and outdoor warehouse facilities, and also for use in electric vehicle charging stations.

Choosing the right small industrial enclosures is a vital component in reducing your automation footprint. Rittal's line of industrial enclosures of all sizes and accessories like junction boxes, terminal boxes, and HMI integrations are designed to help you create next-level production efficiency while keeping your automation footprint in check. Explore Rittal's solutions for various industries and see how their simplified approach can help you get the job done!

Looking for more information? We can help with that...

If you want to know more about Rittal Small Enclosures, or have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch on 01254 685900 and our Internal Sales Advisors or Technical Support Engineers will be happy to chat!