Metcase Enclosures

COMPARE OUR DESKTOP INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES

03-09-2025

SPECIFYING DESKTOP ENCLOSURES: KEY QUESTIONS

Electronics designers now have a far greater choice when specifying metal enclosures for desktop instrumentation: there are more standard models and customisation options than ever. And best of all, smart design and new technology have made customisation viable for smaller volumes.

That’s ideal for electronic instrumentation, which traditionally tends to be highly specialised with units manufactured in lower numbers to suit niche applications. In short, it has never been easier to specify premium customised instrument enclosures at a sensible price point.

But this wide choice poses lots of questions. Will the device always be used on a desk or laboratory bench, or will it need to be portable? Will it need a sloping front for easy viewing and operation? Should the viewing angle be adjustable to suit different users? Will the enclosure need to be opened quickly and easily for inspection and maintenance? And how should the PCBs be mounted? On guide rails so they can slide in and out? Or would mounting pillars suffice?

Discover which METCASE desktop instrument enclosure is best for your electronics. Compare our models in this handy guide – we’ve just updated it by adding new TECHNOMET TX tower-style enclosures…

COMPARE STANDARD FEATURES:

Range Applications Sizes Dimensions PCBs, Mounting

Unidesk Desktop, Wall 3 200x200x102mm to 400x200x102mm Single, screw pillars

Minimet Desktop 8 134x130x38mm to

174x240x70mm Single, screw pillars

Unicase Desktop 10 50x130x180mm to 134x474x300mm Multiple, guide rails

Unimet-Plus Desktop, Portable 6 50x230x193mm to 150x350x263mm Multiple, guide rails

Unimet Desktop, Portable 6 50x230x190mm to 150x350x260mm Single, screw pillars

Technomet Desktop, Portable, Mini-Tower 13 75x225x200mm to 350x220x330mm Multiple, pillars/guide rails

MORE STANDARD FEATURES:

Range Removable Panels Handle IP Rating Standard Colours

Unidesk Front, rear No IP 54 Light grey, RAL 7035

Black, RAL 9005

Traffic white, RAL 9016

Minimet Front, rear, base No No Light grey, RAL 7035

Unicase Top, base, front, rear No No Light grey, RAL 7035

Black, RAL 9005

Traffic white, RAL 9016

Unimet-Plus Front, rear Adjustable handle/tilt bar No Light grey, RAL 7035

Window grey, RAL 7040

Unimet Front, rear Adjustable handle/tilt bar No Light grey, RAL 7035

Window grey, RAL 7040

Technomet Front, rear Adjustable handle/tilt bar or 2 side handles No Light grey, RAL 7035

Anthracite, RAL 7016

Traffic white/traffic grey A, RAL 9016/7042

COMPARE CUSTOMISING OPTIONS:

Range Custom Height Custom Depth Custom Width Ventilation Holes/Cutouts Digital Printing

Unidesk No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Minimet No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Unicase Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Unimet-Plus Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Unimet Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Technomet Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

UNIDESK

UNIDESK – these aluminium sloping front desktop enclosures are rated to IP 54 but can also be specified without seals, making them more cost-effective. Can also be wall mounted (with accessory kit). Pre-punched PCB fixing points in the base.

UNIDESK >>

MINIMET

MINIMET – enclosures for small and portable electronics. Base panel pre-fitted with four M3 PCB screw pillars. Can be specified with anodised or painted front and rear panels (accessories). Front panels recessed by 8 mm or 14 mm. Includes four self-adhesive non-slip feet.

MINIMET >>

UNICASE

UNICASE – offers rapid access to your electronics thanks to its chassis-based construction. PCBs slide in and out on guide rails in the chassis extrusions. Recessed front panel protects controls. Very easy to customise. Now available in traffic white (RAL 9016) in addition to the existing light grey (RAL 7035) and black (RAL 9005) standard options. And as with all METCASE enclosures, custom colours can also be specified.

UNICASE >>

UNIMET-PLUS

UNIMET-PLUS – advanced instrument enclosures. PCBs slide in on four clip-in polyamide guides (included as standard). Carry handle doubles as an adjustable desk stand. Recessed rear panel. Four non-slip rubber feet included (moulded tilt feet available as an accessory).

UNIMET-PLUS >>

UNIMET

UNIMET – similar to UNIMET-PLUS but accommodates a single PCB mounted on screw pillars. Available with adjustable carry handle/desk stand (standard option) and tilt feet (accessory).

UNIMET >>

TECHNOMET

TECHNOMET – advanced desktop/portable instrument enclosures engineered to fine tolerances to match the high-quality aesthetics and ergonomics usually found only on moulded plastic enclosures. Flush-fit diecast front and rear bezels. Concealed case and fixing screws. Available with/without an adjustable carry handle (that doubles as a desk stand), with/without side handles, with/without a sloping front – or as a tower-style enclosure with side handles.

NEW TECHNOMET TX

Smart new TECHNOMET TX has a space-saving footprint: it provides more room for electronics but occupies less of the desktop. These premium enclosures offer everything you’d expect from TECHNOMET: elegant aesthetics, a modern cohesive design (with no visible fixing screws) and plenty of practical features. The internal chassis can accommodate either three or four accessory shelves (depending on tower size) for mounting PCBs and assemblies. These shelves can also be supplied pre-punched and fitted with inserts and pillars according to your requirements. Standard features also include side handles, non-slip ABS feet, and M4 earth points on all panels.

Many TECHNOMET enclosures are now available in a choice of three standard colour schemes: light grey (RAL 7035), anthracite (RAL 7016), and the new combination of traffic white (RAL 9016)/traffic grey A (RAL 7042). Custom colours are also available on request.

View the TECHNOMET series >>

Customising serivces

SPECIFY CUSTOMISED DESKTOP ENCLOSURES

METCASE desktop enclosures can be specified fully customised, ready for the installation of your electronics. Services include custom sizes, custom front panels, CNC machining, fixings and inserts, painting/finishing and photo-quality digital printing of legends, logos and graphics. Options also include fully bespoke enclosures.

All customisation work is carried out in-house. This ensures quality and accountability – and saves you time and money. It also benefits the environment because enclosures do not have to be shipped between multiple suppliers, reducing CO2 emissions.

View our customisation services >>

NEXT STEP...

Get A Quote

- specify your preferred model

- specify a product from that range

- click the ‘Add to my list’ button with the basket icon

- tick the tickbox marked ‘Please send me a written quotation…’

Get Drawings

- register for 3D models by specifying your preferred model

- specify a product from that range

- choose a 3D model in your preferred format (stp, sat or x_t)

- then either log in (existing registered user) or click the link on that page to reveal a pop-up box outlining the simple four-step registration procedure.

Need more help? Contact our sales team for expert technical advice – ask them about our customising services.

For more information on COMPARE OUR DESKTOP INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURES talk to Metcase Enclosures