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Functional, Professional Housings for Prototypes and Small-Batch Products
Functional, Professional Housings for Prototypes and Small-Batch Products
At ProtoLab SRL, we design and develop custom enclosures for electronic products—tailored for prototyping, pilot runs, and low-volume production. Whether your device needs to mount on a DIN rail, sit on a desktop, fit in a handheld shell, or survive harsh field conditions, we ensure that the enclosure fits the electronics—and the end-use—perfectly.
Our enclosure design services are tightly integrated with our electronic design process. We take into account board dimensions, connector locations, thermal management, user interaction, and mechanical constraints to deliver a functional, professional, and manufacturable product casing.
Cost-Effective Integration with Ready-Made Housings
Cost-Effective Integration with Ready-Made Housings
For many prototypes and small-batch products, off-the-shelf enclosures offer a fast and economical alternative to custom mechanical design. At ProtoLab SRL, we regularly work with standard enclosures from trusted suppliers to create practical, production-like builds—especially when time or budget is limited.
These enclosures are available in a wide range of formats and sizes, including:
DIN rail mountable housings for industrial control systems
ABS desktop enclosures for lab tools or monitoring equipment
Handheld cases with battery compartments
Wall-mount or IP-rated boxes for indoor/outdoor installations
What Is Enclosure Design?
What Is Enclosure Design?
Enclosure design is the process of creating a physical housing that protects and supports your electronic assembly while enabling usability, durability, and manufacturability. A well-designed enclosure:
Secures and protects the internal PCB and wiring
Provides access to connectors, screens, and buttons
Maintains thermal and EMI performance
Ensures mechanical stability during mounting, transport, or vibration
Improves the appearance and usability of the product
Supports compliance with safety and environmental standards
At ProtoLab, we treat the enclosure as part of the system—not an afterthought.
hat the enclosure fits the electronics—and the end-use—perfectly.
Our enclosure design services are tightly integrated with our electronic design process. We take into account board dimensions, connector locations, thermal management, user interaction, and mechanical constraints to deliver a functional, professional, and manufacturable product casing.
Our Enclosure Design Workflow
Our Enclosure Design Workflow
We provide full enclosure development services, from concept to production-ready CAD files.
🧩 1. Mechanical Requirements
🧩 1. Mechanical Requirements
We begin by reviewing:
Mounting method (wall, DIN rail, handheld, panel, etc.)
Environmental exposure (dust, moisture, vibration)
User interface (displays, LEDs, buttons, connectors)
Internal space requirements (PCB stackup, cabling, airflow)
Target production method (3D printing, CNC machining, molded case)
We define dimensional and functional constraints before modeling begins.
🖥️ 2. 3D CAD Design
🖥️ 2. 3D CAD Design
Using Solidworks, we design enclosures that:
Fit the PCB and components exactly
Expose necessary ports and controls
Include fastener or snap-fit points
Integrate display or status indicator windows
Allow access for test/debug (if required)
Can be fabricated by 3D printing or subtractive methods
We share preview renders and allow room for multiple iterations before finalization.
🧪 3. Prototype Fit and Validation
🧪 3. Prototype Fit and Validation
Before committing to production, we:
3D print the enclosure for test fitting
Install the board and cabling
Check connector alignment and UI accessibility
Evaluate thermal flow and ventilation
Test mechanical durability and mountability
This allows us to correct any physical interferences or usability issues early.
⚙️ 4. Production-Ready Outputs
⚙️ 4. Production-Ready Outputs
Final deliverables include:
STEP or STL files for 3D printing or CNC machining
Assembly drawings or exploded views
Manufacturing guidance (wall thickness, tolerances, materials)
Label placement (logos, QR codes, warnings)
Optional: preparation for injection molding or mass production
We can also assist with low-volume manufacturing of the enclosure via trusted partners.
Materials and Methods We Support
Materials and Methods We Support
We select fabrication methods and materials based on your budget, environment, and production volume. Common options include:
3D Printing
Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG
Use: Rapid prototyping, fit testing, concept validation
CNC Machining
Materials: Acrylic, aluminum, FR4
Use: Rugged enclosures, precise mechanical features, premium appearance
Laser Cutting
Materials: Acrylic, ABS, plywood
Use: Flat-panel enclosures, quick assembly boxes, internal partitioning
Off-the-Shelf Enclosures
Materials: Pre-molded ABS or PC housings
Use: Cost-effective integration with custom-cut openings or modifications
We help you choose the most practical solution for prototyping or small-batch production—balancing durability, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
Why Choose ProtoLab for Enclosure Design?
Why Choose ProtoLab for Enclosure Design?
Fully integrated approach—we design both the electronics and the enclosure
Form follows function—designs built for usability and serviceability
Small-batch ready—optimized for low-run production methods
Tight dimensional control—no guessing or retrofitting required
Iterative workflow—we test and refine based on real hardware
You won’t need to juggle separate teams for hardware, enclosure, and firmware—we do it all under one roof.
Let’s Enclose Your Innovation
Let’s Enclose Your Innovation
Whether you're designing a rugged industrial device, a client-ready prototype, or a compact field-deployable sensor—ProtoLab SRL helps you build an enclosure that matches the quality of your electronics inside.
📩 Contact us to discuss your enclosure design needs or request a quote.
📦 Let’s build something that works—inside and out.
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