ROBUST CASEAluminum Case Glossary | Technical Terms & Definitions
Aluminum Case Glossary
Every technical term used in our spec sheets, brochures, and engineering conversations — in plain language.
A
AQL (Acceptable Quality Level):Statistical sampling standard for inspection. AQL 2.5 is the most common for consumer products.
Anodizing:Electrochemical process that creates a hard oxide layer on aluminum surface, improving corrosion resistance and allowing dye coloring.
AS9100:Aerospace quality management standard, based on ISO 9001 with aerospace-specific requirements.
ATA 300:Air Transport Association specification Category I for shipping cases — drop, vibration, and water spray tested.
B
Bead-blasted:Surface finish created by blasting fine glass beads to produce uniform matte texture.
Butterfly latch:Spring-loaded latch with two wings that fold flat against the case surface.
C
CNC:Computer Numerical Control — automated machining by programmed tool paths.
Corner protector:Steel or plastic cap that protects case corners during stacking and shipping.
CSD (Commercial Specification Drawing):Engineering drawing showing case dimensions, hardware locations, and foam specs.
D
DFM (Design for Manufacturing):Engineering feedback to optimize a design for production efficiency, cost, and quality.
Drop test:Standardized impact test (e.g. 1.2 m onto concrete) to verify case survives typical handling drops.
E
EPDM:Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer — synthetic rubber used for gaskets and seals in outdoor / marine applications.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge):Static electricity damage to electronic components. Anti-static foam dissipates charges.
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference):Unwanted electrical noise; aluminum naturally shields against EMI.
F
Foam density:Mass per unit volume (kg/m³); higher density = firmer foam, more durable for repeat use.
FAI (First Article Inspection):AS9102 aerospace documentation verifying first production unit meets drawing tolerances.
G
Gasket:Rubber or silicone seal around the lid perimeter to keep out water and dust.
H
H32, H116:Aluminum temper designations — strain-hardened and stabilized. H32 is standard; H116 for marine.
Hinge (piano):Continuous full-length hinge running the entire back of the case.
I
IP rating (Ingress Protection):Two-digit code; first digit = solid particle protection, second = water. IP54 = dust-protected + splash-resistant; IP67 = dust-tight + 1 m immersion for 30 min; IP68 = dust-tight + continuous immersion (depth specified).
ISTA (International Safe Transit Association):Package performance testing standards. ISTA 3E is for standard parcel shipping.
M
MIL-STD-810H:US military environmental testing standard covering drop, vibration, temperature, humidity, salt spray.
MIL-STD-461G:US military EMI/EMC compatibility standard.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity):Smallest batch a factory will produce per SKU. ROBUST CASE: 50 OEM / 10 ODM.
N
NFPA:National Fire Protection Association standards, including NFPA 1901 (fire apparatus) and NFPA 1999 (medical protective clothing).
O
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer):Factory builds to your design. You own the tooling and IP.
ODM (Original Design Manufacturer):Factory provides a stock design; you re-badge and customize lightly.
P
Pick-and-pluck foam:Pre-perforated foam where user pulls out cubes to fit gear. No tooling required.
Piano hinge:Continuous hinge running full length of case back.
PIA / PI (Proforma Invoice):Quotation that becomes a binding contract upon acceptance. Includes all terms, pricing, lead time.
R
REACH:EU regulation on chemicals, restricting substances in products.
RoHS:EU directive restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
S
Salt spray test:ASTM B117 method — accelerated corrosion test in salt fog chamber. Marine hardware rated 96 to 2,000 hours.
Sheet thickness:Aluminum panel gauge; 1.0 mm = lightweight, 1.2 mm = standard, 1.5 mm = heavy-duty.
T
T5, T6:Aluminum temper for extrusion profiles. T5 = cooled and artificially aged. T6 = solution heat-treated and aged (stronger).
Tolerance:Allowed deviation from nominal dimension. Standard aluminum case: ±0.5 mm. Precision: ±0.2 mm.
TSA lock:Transportation Security Administration-recognized lock that can be opened by airport security with a master key.
U
UN 38.3:UN transport standard for lithium batteries — required for Li-Po and Li-ion air freight.
W
Waterjet cutting:High-pressure water + abrasive cuts foam, wood, and metal with ±0.5 mm tolerance.
Y
Yield strength:Stress at which aluminum begins to deform permanently. 5052-H32: 195 MPa; 6063-T5: 145 MPa; 7075-T6: 503 MPa.
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