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Carrying Cases - A Quick Introduction
Carrying cases are typically manufactured from one of three materials: aluminum, plastic or laminated plywood, all of which are considered
hard cases.
Aluminum cases are exceptionally hard, providing superior impact protection as transit cases or shipping cases; rotationally molded
plastic cases are often manufactured to be water-proof and extremely durable, keeping sensitive equipment safe even in the harshest of conditions.
ATA cases are fabricated from laminated plywood with nickel-plated steel ball corners and hinge hardware according to Air Transport Alliance shipment case regulations and are frequently used as
shipping cases or as sound and electronic equipment
transit cases. Many of these are considered
waterproof cases, which are completely air tight. However, many carrying case providers also manufacture
soft cases as well. These cases are made from non-rigid materials such as vinyl, leather, canvas, suede or neoprene. They may be sewn by hand or by machine and are available in many different sizes, shapes and colors to fit the customer's needs or for commercial appeal.
Many businesses and individuals rely on carrying cases for a wide variety of uses. Because of globalization, markets and opportunities have opened up across the world and traveling and shipping has become commonplace. Virtually every business benefits from safe and effective transportation and carrying cases contribute to that. Professionals in the aerospace, medical, telecommunication, industrial, manufacturing, electronic, digital, video, photography, construction, sales, defense, music and other industries all rely on carrying cases. Some of the many items that are stored, protected and transported in these cases are laptops, satellites, cameras, firearms, sales posters, musical instruments, handheld tools, televisions and anything else that is delicate, sensitive or fragile. Although ATA cases are used primarily in the sound and music industry, ATA transit cases were traditionally standardized for airline travel and shipment, and ATA cases continue to be used as shipping cases and airline cases for a variety of electronic equipment. Many ATA and aluminum cases are customized to hold sound boards and other electronic control panels permanently, with hinged breakaway sections. Aluminum cases may be small, briefcase-sized or they may be large shipping boxes designed for carrying sensitive lab microscopes, electronic gaming equipment, wine glasses or any other type of delicate product.
Rotationally molded plastic carrying cases tend to be used in heavy duty and industrial settings as shipping cases, tool cases and transit cases for extreme environments while blow molded cases provide low to medium impact resistance as a cost-effective alternative to rotationally molded cases. Plastic cases may also be formed through injection molding where hot plastic is poured into a mold cavity and left until cool. Another kind of hard plastic case is reinforced with fiberglass to form a very durable and stiff material. Shipping cases and tool cases generally are transported from one point to another and back again while under fairly regular and standard conditions. However, transit cases are often used for extreme conditions. Transit cases that meet military specifications, also known as rackmount cases, are made from ultra-durable plastic or aluminum. Capable of being both airtight and waterproof, rackmount cases contain an inner frame that is mounted within the exterior with shocks; this inner frame acts as a replacement to foam padding, offering superior shock absorption for sensitive equipment protection over jarring or rocky terrains. Because of the materials and fabrication methods used, rackmount and transit cases offer high performance durability and dependability. Strength-to-weight ratios differ and certain materials provide attributes that other materials do not.
Fabrication methods influence the strength, shock absorption and fracture resistance of a carrying case, and different case materials offer different benefits. All case types, with the exception of rack mount cases, are lined with foam padding which may or may not be custom cut for specific objects. Foam may be open cell or closed cell, depending on the amount of impact absorption necessary. Aluminum cases are typically fabricated by drawing before being equipped with hardware; many aluminum cases are manufactured to be water and air tight, providing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and shielding from electromagnetic interference. Blow molded cases are not optimal for high impact, rugged applications, although they may provide cost effective protection in medium to low impact shipping and transportation. Rotationally molded plastic cases have superior grainflow strength, and can withstand impressive amounts of pressure and shock. Some ATA cases do not actually adhere to Air Transit Alliance regulations, being fabricated similarly but without the same strength and impact resistance; true ATA adherence cases conform to strict material and construction regulations, including hardware material and placement such as steel ball corners and large steel hinges, laminated paneling and stress testing. Aluminum and rackmount cases tend to range higher in price, while ATA and rotomolded cases are mid range.
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Image Provided
by Royal
Case Company, Inc.
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Image Provided
by New
World Case
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Image Provided by ATS Cases, Inc.
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Carrying Case Types
- The aluminum case serves business, industrial, consumer, electronics and OEM applications because of its high versatility as a lightweight, cost-effective storage and shipping method that's resistant to moisture, magnetism, impact, corrosion, UV radiation and extreme temperatures.
- contain an insulator that resists
electrostatic discharge, providing protection to sensitive electronic
equipment.
- are
cases that meet the guidelines set by the Air Transport Association
of America (ATA),
a federal
organization that
sets the guidelines
for the testing of cases and containers.
- Blow molded cases are
made of lightweight, blow-molded polyethylene and are virtually
unbreakable,
tolerate high and low temperatures, resist
chemicals and are rustproof, dent-proof and scratch resistant. Blow
molded cases are used to protect very fragile instrumentation, audio/visual
equipment, medical equipment and for OEM applications.
- fold up, allowing for easy storage in tighter quarters. Collapsible
cases are usually made of aluminum.
- are
designed to carry PCs, laptops, monitors and other computer equipment.
- are used to transport items to be exhibited at conventions
or expositions.
- can be made to meet specific dimensions.
- are specifically
created to carry audio/visual equipment, recording equipment, batteries
and other sensitive tools.
- contain an insert, such as a polyethylene egg crate,
which is used to pad fragile items.
- are designed to carry items such as maps and blueprints.
- Hard cases are heavy-duty protective containers made of rigid material for transit and shipping applications.
- (HAZMAT) cases are specifically designed to transport
potentially harmful materials such as gas, explosives and
corrosives.
- Instrument cases are used to protect and carry various instruments while they are being
moved and can provide protection for a wide variety of industrial items
during shipping and transportation.
- protect vials, syringes, medicine and other
materials.
- must adhere to the strict
standards set forth by military branches such as the Army,
Air Force and Marine
Corps. Mil spec cases are used to carry radio backpacks,
antennae bags, etc.
- accommodate panels used to hold and separate field
service equipment.
- are durable containers that can be used for the transportation of materials.
- contain a rack or shelf on which equipment can be
stacked for accessible storage. Rack mount cases
accommodate equipment such as
computer networking application systems.
- hold and protect goods during shipping and transportation.
- Soft cases are carrying cases that have been manufactured from non-rigid materials and provide less protection than hard cases.
- shield mechanical and power tools, functioning in a manner
similar to that of a toolbox.
- are constructed from heavy duty material, are equipped
with a variety of hardware types and come in
a wide range of designs and configurations. Transit cases have varying
depths, as well.
- Waterproof Cases are advantageous in situations
in which items are exposed to hazardous weather conditions.
Carrying Case Terms
- A strong
plastic used in a variety of industrial applications, such as an outer
laminate for shipping cases.
- An outer corner covering made
of aluminum that is on shipping cases.
- Specially
treated, non-conductive polyfoam or polyethylene foam material that is
ideal for magnetic media cushioning. Useful in in creating a carry case
for transporting any sensitive computer equipment.
- The lower part of the
case that would sit flat during loading.
- Using wood or
foam to support encased items in order to increase the effectiveness
of case interiors.
- Rotating wheels set in a metal frame
that provide mobility to heavy objects, such as furniture or electronic
equipment.
- A space that is usually cut out directly beneath
the encased item, which is often used for storage of cables, owners manuals
and other accessories.
- A device utilized for attaching several cases together.
- Also referred to as "diced foam," it is
one-inch cubes of polyester foam, of which only the corners are left
attached to make it easy to remove in order to attain the desired space
for an encased object.
- The release of electrical energy usually
caused by the shift of electrons from one object to another as the objects
come into contact with and separate from one another.
- The application of heat and pressure to create a raised
design or logo.
- A shortened term meaning "front to back," typically
referring to depth.
- The simultaneous use of embossing and foil stamping.
- The application of a stamp pressed in foil to a
surface, in which the foil transfers the outline to the surface.
- Measurement of the durability of an item.
- A slot cut out of the foam specifically to aid in the
removal of the item from the case.
- A term meaning "left to right," typically referring
to width.
- The maximum amount of weight a case can efficiently
handle.
- Artificial rubber used in a wide array of industrial
applications that resists wear and tear from chemicals, temperature and
hazardous conditions.
- Light, durable plastic material that is resistant
to stain from chemicals or other fluids and is not affected by temperature.
- A compound consisting
of multi-linked units of elements, such as hydrogen or silicon.
- A strong polymer that functions as both a
fiber and a plastic and is more durable but less common than polyethylene.
- Damage incurred from dragging, etc., during transportation.
- Apparatus applied to a case to protect against skid
damage.
