Assembly
Please visit our parent company, Toolless for more information.
The final phase of the manufacturing process involves the assembling of panels and components into a finished product. For the most part, this is where the product starts to look like an enclosure with the appearance and functionality the customer requires.
There are many techniques PEI employs for assembling enclosures including sonic welding, solvent bonding, epoxy gluing, threaded insert fastening, as well as our customized tongue and groove 'snap fitting.' It should be noted here that any of these assembly processes can be used either alone or in combination.
As with most of our customization features, deciding which method is best depends on the specific enclosure design as well as the function of the device. Additionally, the operating environment plays a significant role in determining the design of the enclosure and the assembly process used, therefore, it would be very difficult to try to present a detailed list of when a particular method should be used over another. Rather, our engineers select the assembly procedure and bonding mediums based on broader attributes such as the size, function, and operating environment of the enclosure.
Before finalizing the assembly process, the customer will be consulted on the basic design such that their input or confirmation of our recommendation is discussed. Usually, this is done during the quotation phase so that pricing and lead-times correspond to what will ultimately be produced. Please note that while we do not share with the customer those design elements that are part of our proprietary process, we will communicate on those issues that will affect the form, fit, or function of the enclosure.