ELP's Ronan Willson with the new distros.
UK - 5 Star Cases recently supplied Alconbury based Elstree Light & Power (ELP) with a series of specialist cases, complete with transparent access flap doors to house their new range of power distro systems.

The brief was to provide a splash-proof case for two different types of distro units - allowing the systems to be used indoors or outdoors. The cases also featured a number of other new options.

The design, completed by 5 Star's Andy Stockdale to a spec by ELP's Ronan Willson, included the hinged access flaps to coincide with the location of specific sets of connectors. A hinged access flap was also provided for the main control panel consisting of MCB's, mains switches and neon indicators. These were machined from toughened clear acrylic sheet enabling all the functions to be clearly seen and checked without opening the flap.

Stockdale, head of 3D software at 5 Star, used Solid Edge to 'model' the designs prior to machining. "Solid Edge is a great tool for checking interference fits between equipment and the case, and was invaluable on this project, ensuring that the connectors were all accessible through the flaps," he comments.

The flight cases themselves were machined from 5 Star's Tour Grade range, and supplied in ELP's standard Royal Blue laminate finish. All hardware and extrusions were sealed with silicone to aid weather protection.

The order consisted of four distro and two control centre cases, which went into immediate action at the Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire where ELP provides power facilities for the regular Thunderball drag racing events.

(Jim Evans)


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