The client is a Uk manufacturer of Wide Area Network (WAN) Analysers and Network Instruments used in the verifying Service Level Agreements, monitoring links and connections and troubleshooting problems. The market for this equipment is specialised and small and the enclosure had to be cost effective to manufacture in small quantities. The brief was to design a new generation of analyser enclosures that were stylish, robust and tolerant of poor handling.

The initial task was to prepare mood boards to help focus thinking on the product, the user, the work environment and a montage of different product builds, materials and finishes. A sketchbook of concepts was prepared in conjunction with the clients own electronics designer and this was shortlisted to two concepts. These were developed by CAD in 2D showing general views and user features from which the client chose one concept. The concept featured an aluminium extrusion body with rubberised end caps over wrapping sheet metal inner end plates.The components and assemblies were finalised and manufacturing drawings for each component and schematics for the PCB and major component placing were prepared on CAD.