Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, typically shortened to ABS, is a common amorphous, thermoplastic polymer. It is typically polymerized through emulsion, though a lot of ABS plastic is formed through the recycling of other ABS plastic. Although other materials are available, ABS plastic is often used in the construction of protective enclosures. Why do so many consumers prefer ABS enclosures? Today we’re exploring the benefits of ABS so that you can make an informed decision as you shop for a new enclosure.
The mechanical properties of ABS vary with temperature. For most applications, the recommended temperature range for ABS plastic is 0 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, ABS’s strong resistance to corrosive chemicals makes it a valuable material for the construction of enclosures.
Amongst its many other responsibilities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must determine if materials can be safely used for their intended purpose in contact with food. The FDA has approved natural (beige) and black ABS for use in food-processing applications, including those involving kitchen appliances, kitchenware, food packaging, food processing, and even medical devices. Thus, companies can use ABS products when processing food without worrying about harmful repercussions.
WIFI, Bluetooth, and radio frequency technology play important roles in today’s wireless warehouses and distribution centers (DCs). Nearly all Americans currently use WIFI in their day-to-day lives, and these wireless transmissions are made up of radio frequency (RF) signals. WIFI has revolutionized warehouse operations, boosting efficiency and productivity. It assists with inventory management, order fulfillment accuracy, and real-time voice and data communications.
When RF technology makes use of electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags, it is called radio-frequency identification (RFID). Unlike barcodes, RFID tags don’t need to be within the reader’s line of sight to be automatically read, and hundreds of them can be read at once. Plus, RFID tags can be affixed to any object, so they are useful in the tracking and management of inventory within warehouses and DCs.
Bluetooth has steadily increased in popularity over the years. Many facilities use Bluetooth technology because it allows for quick, easy, and secure communication between devices. The communication process is known as “pairing” and requires compatible devices.
The physical environment of your warehouse or DC, including the products, materials, machines, and layout, will impact the wireless performance of your equipment. Many materials are known to block radio frequency signals. While some materials have a low potential for interference (wood, glass, bricks), others present a high potential for RF interference (concrete, plaster, and especially metal). ABS is valuable, because it does not impede the movement of wireless technologies, including WIFI, Bluetooth, and RF.
Because ABS is thermoplastic, as opposed to thermoset, manufacturers can continually heat it to its melting point (221 degrees Fahrenheit), mold it, cool it, and use it for other purposes. Thermoset plastic, on the other hand, will burn if you attempt to heat it more than once due to a chemical change that you cannot reverse. ABS’s adaptability makes it an excellent material for recycling. It can go through several processes of recycling without significant degradation. This does mean, however, that it should not be used in applications involving very high heat.
ABS enclosures are relatively inexpensive, typically falling somewhere between the price of polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC). Plus, they are very easy to machine, making them a top choice of manufacturers.
In addition to the benefits listed above, ABS offers insulating properties and a lightweight structure, and it is available in a variety of colors with a shiny, lustrous texture.
If you’re in the market for a computer enclosure, DustShield is here to help. The leader in industrial computer enclosures for production environments, DustShield has an extensive line of enclosures designed to protect LCD monitors, tower and desktop CPUs, and printers. We construct our enclosures from thick, ABS plastic for maximum structural stability. Heavy-duty and delivered completely assembled, our enclosures suit a variety of applications. And if you can’t find the ideal product to suit your needs, we can design and fabricate a custom enclosure that meets your requirements. To learn more, please contact one of our enclosure specialists toll-free at 800-587-9557 or contact us online.
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