From Design to Delivery: Steel Enclosures and the Role that Fabricators Play

When shopping for enclosures, you’ll come across a wide variety of materials. However, steel is often preferred by a vast range of industries. Offering superior protection, steel is capable of shielding areas and personal property against extreme elements, moisture, different temperatures, and corrosive materials. This article talks fabrication from design to delivery: steel enclosures.

Sheet metal fabricators like Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) play an important role in the production of effective steel enclosures because they help maximize the desirable properties of steel. 

Why don’t we take a look at the benefits of steel enclosures, what they’re used for, and how to tell if a fabricator offers premium quality?

Advantages of Steel Enclosures

Durability

Steel is fire- and corrosion-resistant. It is also immune to pest infestations and can withstand extreme temperatures without scaling.

Cost-Effective

If you order sheet metal enclosures in small quantities, they may be more expensive initially. But because they’re so durable, they will last you for a long time and will save you from having to replace them periodically. On average, the lifespan of steel is about 20 years but there are instances when they’ve been known to last for 100 years and even longer!

Environmentally Friendly

You can reuse and recycle steel many times over. When the steel enclosure is no longer usable, it can be melted to produce new steel products.

When Do You Use Steel Enclosures?

Steel enclosures are used to shield products from damage and changing environmental conditions. Many times, they are also used to prevent thieves from stealing equipment and components. Specifically, steel enclosures are used to protect:

1. Electrical Equipment

Electrical equipment like control panels, power distribution units, switchgear, and transformers have to be protected to ensure the safety of people and to keep its components in good working order.

A steel cabinet or box will prevent electric shock while protecting electrical parts from physical damage as well as electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. These enclosures can be used indoors and outdoors.

2. Industrial Machinery

Steel enclosures also protect industrial machinery such as compressors, generators, motors, pumps, and more. The enclosure can protect equipment from harsh and constantly changing environmental conditions. Enclosures also limit dust, moisture, and other elements that could damage machinery.

If you’re selling any type of industrial machine or engine, you need steel enclosures to preserve their frames and components. Aging and deteriorating products can hurt your business and may damage your reputation.

power transformer enclosure

3. Telecommunications Equipment

Sometimes referred to as telecommunications cabinets, these enclosures protect the electric cables used in technical operations. A damaged cable could have massive implications for telecommunication services.

Electric cables and other telecommunication equipment need to be protected from dust, rain, extreme heat, and ice. Steel enclosures can also protect telecommunication antennas, base stations, and cellphone towers.

4. Medical Equipment

Medical equipment is critical for the delivery of life-saving procedures so it needs to be well-preserved. Steel enclosures are thus effective for maintaining the condition and usability of medical equipment.

Diagnostic equipment, imaging devices, and surgical instruments are usually safely ensconced in steel cabinets to shield them from dust and accidental forces that may compromise their integrity.

5. Outdoor Equipment

Most outdoor products are made to withstand environmental factors but they still need protection. Streetlights, traffic signals, and other types of outdoor equipment need some type of steel coverage. Fabricators like IMS can also make steel outdoor kiosks to protect all types of outdoor products and equipment.

6. Security Equipment

Weatherproof enclosures are necessary for keeping security equipment such as access control systems, alarm systems, and surveillance cameras intact. By giving them the protection they need, security equipment remains reliable and operational.

ims steel enclosures manufactoring

What To Look For in Minnesota Steel Fabricators

Get the full benefits of steel by ensuring that they’re expertly made and suit your purpose. Here’s how to gauge different steel fabricators:

Quality Materials

Good steel fabricators offer quality materials. They use quality steel that is homogeneous, meaning its composition and properties remain uniform regardless of the processes it undergoes. It is easy to work with, hardens well, and can resist or overcome forces by a certain amount of elasticity.

In addition, quality steel doesn’t corrode easily, offers long-term durability, and doesn’t bend or crack easily.

Steel can have different grades and alloys mixed into it. Depending on how it will be used, a good steel fabricator can help you choose quality steel that serves its purpose well.

Offer Complete and Professional Services

Look for a steel fabricator that offers complete services. They should be able to support you from concept to delivery so you won’t have to go looking for several companies just to have a finished product. 

IMS has skilled engineering and fabricating teams who can perform:

An all-in-one fabricator that offers complete services has a much better chance of giving you the results you want since the company was part of the initial design process.

Industry-grade Equipment

There are many tools that go into fabricating and shaping steel. A good steel fabricator will have complete industry-grade equipment that is properly and periodically maintained.

In addition to our standard tools and equipment, IMS is proud to have CNC solid-state laser cutting machines, Cincinnati press brake machines, in-house welding stations that are equipped with TIG and MIG welders, and a powder coating finishing system that can accommodate small and large parts.

Good Track Record for On-time Delivery​

Not having the steel enclosures you need by your deadline can disrupt your operations and cause a world of inconvenience. This is why it’s important to work with a steel fabricator that has a good track record for reliable and on-time delivery.

IMS offers an average lead time of 2.5 weeks. We can also offer one-day lead times for certain projects that utilize a buying program. We typically provide quotes in less than three days, complete around 4,000 parts daily, and have manufactured around 60,0000 square feet of steel.

We’ve been around since 2005 and have countless satisfied customers.

Reap the Full Benefits of Steel Enclosures by Partnering With IMS

Steel is a popular and preferable material for enclosures, but you have to partner with the right fabricator to fully enjoy a fully functioning and sturdy product. With IMS, you get a reliable, experienced, and dedicated partner in the Twin Cities, MN area and beyond that will always strive to meet your needs.

Ready for a Free Quote?

We proudly serve the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. It only takes a minute! Select the service you’d like, upload your designs, and a member of our team will respond with a free quote as soon as possible. If you don’t have design mockups, or need some help figuring out a design, we’d love to help! Simply give us a call and a member of our team would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Lead Time

3 days

Parts Completed

22,000

Manufacturing Footprint

60,000 sq ft.

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