Custom sheet metal manufacturing
Custom IP44 Enclosure Manufacturing
Enclosuremfg manufactures custom sheet metal enclosures for indoor electrical distribution and equipment projects. For many general-purpose indoor panels, a folded-edge door and simple foam gasket offer a practical, cost-conscious approach to protection from solid objects 1 mm or larger and water splashing from any direction.
From CAD review through fabrication, finishing, and inspection, our team supports compact electrical cabinets and large industrial housings with integrated in-house production.
A practical starting point for indoor panels
A formed door return helps create a consistent sealing land, while a continuous foam gasket compresses when the door is secured. The assembled enclosure configuration determines its protection level.
50
Manufacturing team members
5
Mechanical and manufacturing engineers
6
QA/QC specialists
10–500
Common batch quantities
Protection by design
What an IP44 design means for your project
IP ratings apply to a complete enclosure configuration—not just the sheet metal body. IP4X addresses access to hazardous parts and ingress of solid objects 1 mm or larger. IPX4 addresses splashing water from any direction.
Doors, joints, cable entries, ventilation openings, fasteners, and installed accessories can all affect the result. The assembled product should be verified under the applicable test method.
IP4X
Solid-object protection
Design for protection against access to hazardous parts and entry of solid objects 1 mm or larger.
IPX4
Splash protection
The enclosure configuration is intended to address water splashing from any direction.
A cost-conscious indoor sealing concept
For indoor applications without direct washdown or prolonged exposure to standing water, a formed door return and correctly compressed foam gasket can provide a straightforward solution without adding unnecessary complexity. This approach is not a substitute for a higher protection design where equipment faces water jets, washdown, outdoor weather, or more demanding exposure.
Construction details
Practical door and gasket construction
A typical economical concept pairs a sheet metal door with folded edges that overlap the opening and a continuous foam gasket along the frame. The formed return helps position the door and create a sealing land; the gasket compresses when the door is secured.
01 / Seal path
Plan for even compression
Gasket compression should be sufficient and reasonably uniform around the frame. Consider the gasket material, route, and mating surfaces together.
02 / Door and frame
Maintain stiffness and alignment
Door and frame stiffness help limit distortion and support consistent contact when the door is secured.
03 / Interfaces
Resolve details early
Hinges, latches, corners, cutouts, and cable entries should be reviewed against the intended installation conditions before production.
Integrated production
In-house fabrication for custom enclosures
Our engineering support includes DFM review, sheet metal unfolding, bend-line adjustment, and structural detailing to help reduce fit-up problems before parts reach the shop floor.
Keeping fabrication and finishing under one roof reduces dependence on outside finishing suppliers and supports control over production handoffs and inspection points.
Fiber laser cutting
Three machines, including 12 kW and 6 kW systems, for profiling steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
CNC press-brake forming
Five multi-axis machines across a range of tonnage for compact cabinets and larger structures.
Hardware insertion and tapping
Automated clinching, servo tapping, and drilling-tapping equipment for PEM nuts, studs, standoffs, and threaded features.
Welding and assembly
Laser, MIG, TIG, and cold-welding equipment, supported by large assembly platforms for accurate fixturing.
In-house finishing
Surface preparation and a 2500 × 6000 mm powder coating line for enclosures and larger fabricated assemblies.
Engineering and quality
Review the details before fabrication
Our engineers can review supplied 2D drawings or 3D CAD for bend allowances, door clearance, gasket paths, hardware access, and assembly interfaces. Where needed, we can flag features that may complicate fabrication or sealing consistency.
Quality checks cover the production process from incoming material verification through first-article and production inspection. Requirements can be aligned with the project drawing and agreed quality plan.
Clarify verification requirements
If your specification requires IP testing or certification, identify the applicable standard and test responsibility during RFQ review. An enclosure should not be treated as IP44-rated solely because it includes a gasket.
Discuss test scope with our teamApplications and order profiles
Built around your indoor equipment
Custom IP44 enclosures are commonly considered for general indoor electrical and control applications.
- Distribution panels and switchboards
- Machine control cabinets and operator equipment
- Industrial automation panels
- Indoor battery and power-conversion equipment
- Junction boxes and electrical subassemblies
Flexible production scope
Typical work includes high-mix, low-to-medium-volume production, with batches commonly ranging from 10 to 500 units, as well as recurring supply programs. We fabricate compact boxes and cabinets and can coordinate larger housings and machinery structures on platforms up to 6 meters.
Match the design to the actual environment
The folded-edge-and-gasket approach may suit indoor environments with occasional splashing. For washdown, water jets, outdoor weather, or more demanding exposure, discuss a higher protection design.
RFQ preparation
Choose a cost-effective enclosure specification
A clear specification helps align protection performance with fabrication cost. Consider these details when preparing a design or RFQ:
- 01
Installation environment
Indoor location, expected splash exposure, cleaning method, and ambient conditions.
- 02
Dimensions and layout
Overall size, mounting arrangement, internal components, and required clearances.
- 03
Door and sealing details
Folded returns, gasket material and path, hinge and latch positions, and expected opening frequency.
- 04
Cable and accessory openings
Entry locations, glands, ventilation, cutouts, and supplied components forming part of the enclosure.
- 05
Material and finish
Steel, stainless steel, or aluminum selection, plus coating requirements and color.
- 06
Verification requirements
Applicable IP test standard, sample quantity, documentation, and whether testing is required before production release.
A gasket seals as intended only when mating surfaces, compression, and assembled hardware are designed accordingly. Sharing requirements early helps us assess the design and quote the right manufacturing scope.
Common questions
Planning an IP44 enclosure?
Does a foam gasket alone make an enclosure IP44?
No. The rating applies to the complete assembled configuration. Door fit, joints, cable entries, openings, fasteners, and accessories all matter, and the product should be verified under the applicable test method.
Is this approach suitable for washdown or outdoor use?
The folded-edge-and-gasket concept is intended as a practical option for suitable indoor applications, including occasional splashing. Washdown, water jets, outdoor weather, and other demanding exposure may require a higher protection design.
What information should I send for a manufacturing review?
Share drawings or CAD files, target quantity, material preference, finish, installation conditions, and any required IP test criteria. Clarify whether testing, documentation, or certification is part of the project scope.
Request a custom IP44 enclosure quote
Send your drawings, CAD files, target quantity, material preference, finish, and installation conditions for a manufacturing review. We can assess fabrication considerations and prepare a quotation for prototype or production quantities.
Start your RFQ
Get a manufacturing review
Contact Enclosuremfg at info@enclosuremfg.com or visit us at Building 4, Kuiqing Road, Qingxi Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province to discuss your enclosure requirements. Include the applicable IP test criteria and clarify whether testing, documentation, or certification is in scope.
We can review your design, identify fabrication considerations, and prepare a quotation for prototype or production quantities.