ZIBO HUIWEN can customize the production of printer plastic cases. Printer plastic cases usually include engineering plastics to meet requirements such as strength, heat resistance, and cost.
Materials utilized by ZIBO HUIWEN and characteristics:
1. ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer)
- Characteristics:
- Strong: Good impact strength, suitable for enclosures that must resist wear and tear.
- Simple to process: Can be injection molded, and surface can be electroplated or painted (e.g., matte or glossy finish).
- Resistance to temperature: Generally can withstand 80-100°C, suitable for normal office use.
- Limitations: Flammable (requires addition of flame retardants), will undergo yellowing upon exposure to ultraviolet rays for a prolonged time.
Use: Low-end and mid-range printers, domestic models.
2. PC (Polycarbonate)
- Attributes:
- High heat resistance: Resistant to temperatures above 120°C, suitable for high-speed printing or high-temperature conditions.
- Transparency: Suitable for transparent window design (e.g., for observing ink cartridges).
- Impact resistance: Almost as strong as metal, but costly.
- Disadvantages: Prone to scratches, surface hardening treatment may be required.
Application: High-end printers, industrial machinery.
3. PC/ABS Alloy
- Characteristics
- Full Performance: Combining PC's heat resistance with the ease of processing of ABS.
- Dimensional Stability: Reducing deformation and best suited for precise structures.
- Reasonable Cost: Lower in cost than pure PC.
Application: Mid-to-high-grade commercial printers.
4. HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)
- Characteristics:
- Light: Low weight, best suited for portable printers.
- Inexpensive: Low cost, but low strength and heat resistance (60-80°C).
- Dyeable: Can be made in a variety of colors.
Application: Low-end printers or disposable consumables casings.
5. Flame-retardant Materials (e.g., UL94 V0 grade)
- Characteristics:
- Fire safety: Complies with fire-retardant regulations for electronic equipment (e.g., UL, IEC).
- Modification and addition: Derived by adding bromine-based and phosphorus-based flame-retardants.
Application: All printer enclosures must be flame retardant.
6. Environmental-friendly materials (e.g., biobased plastics, recycled plastics)
- Characteristics:
- Sustainability: Recycled plastics or PLA (polylactic acid) are used by some companies.
- Compromise on performance: May lead to loss of strength or thermal resistance.
- Application: Designs according to environmental conservation principles (some HP and Epson products).
Key considerations for shell design
1. Heat dissipation: Vent holes need to be included so that high temperatures do not affect electronic circuits.
2. Lightness: Transportable models need to reduce weight.
3. Electromagnetic shielding: Some shells are required to be metal-coated to prevent interference.
4. Aesthetics and touch feeling: Surface finishing (sandblasting, UV coating) to enhance the user experience.
