Medical and lab equipment has to wipe down without trapping contaminants. Sharp internal corners and open fastener pockets were replaced with smooth radii and sealed or capped features.
Case study · Medical devices
Medical Diagnostic Enclosure — Cleanable Anodized Housing
A cleanable aluminum diagnostic enclosure with smooth radii, traceable material certificates, and a bead-blasted clear anodize finish, machined for benchtop lab and diagnostic equipment.
- Cleanable radii
- Material traceability
- Clear anodize
Project overview
Project overview
This project is an aluminum enclosure for a benchtop diagnostic instrument. Compared to an industrial housing, the priorities shift: it has to wipe down cleanly, look consistent unit-to-unit on a lab bench, and carry a documented material trail for the device file.
Cleanability drove the geometry. Sharp internal corners and open fastener pockets are dirt traps, so they were replaced with smooth radii and sealed or capped features. Stock was lot-controlled with certificates retained and tied to the parts, so the material trail holds up in a regulated build. To keep the cosmetic finish uniform across every unit, the enclosure was bead-blasted to an even texture before clear anodizing — the anodize only looks consistent if the surface underneath already is.
Labels are laser marked after anodize so there are no inks or adhesives to degrade during repeated cleaning, and every unit ships with material certificates and an inspection report. In keeping with not fabricating confidential customer information, the device identity, exact material, dimensions, and volumes are placeholders — the cleanable-geometry, traceability, and finishing approach is representative of the medical enclosures we machine.
Technical specification
Part specification
Key manufacturing parameters for this project. Values marked as placeholders stand in for confidential production data.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Overall envelope | Placeholder — e.g. 260 × 200 × 90 mm |
| External radii | Smooth radii — no sharp internal corners on cleaned surfaces |
| Surface finish | Uniform bead-blast texture before anodize |
| General tolerance | ±0.05 mm (ISO 2768-f unless noted) |
| Fastener features | Blind, sealed, or capped to avoid dirt traps |
| Traceability | Lot-controlled material with certificates |
Engineering challenges
What made this part difficult
The manufacturability risks we planned around before cutting metal.
Regulated equipment needs a documented material trail. Stock was lot-controlled with certificates retained and tied to the parts.
A visible instrument enclosure has to look uniform unit-to-unit. Bead blasting before anodize evened the surface so the clear anodize came out consistent.
Manufacturing process
How the part was made
The routing from raw stock to finished, inspected components.
- Step 1: Engineering review
Reviewed cleanable geometry, radii, and traceability requirements before quoting. - Step 2: Machining from certified stock
Enclosure body and panels machined from lot-controlled aluminum with certificates retained. - Step 3: Radius and edge finishing
External radii and edges finished smooth to remove dirt traps. - Step 4: Feature machining
Cutouts, mounts, and sealed fastener features machined to the drawing. - Step 5: Bead blast and anodize
Uniform bead-blast texture, then clear anodize for a consistent cleanable surface. - Step 6: Laser marking and inspection
Labels laser marked after anodize, then dimensional and cosmetic sign-off with documentation.
Inspection methods
How quality was verified
Dimensional and process controls used to sign off the part. See our full aluminum part inspection process.
Full FAI on the first unit with a report supplied. Placeholder for the customer's specific inspection and AQL requirements.
Surfaces reviewed for uniform finish and absence of sharp corners or dirt traps.
Material certificates and inspection records compiled for the regulated build.
Surface finishing
Finishing and post-processing
Finishing decided alongside the machining plan. Compare options in the aluminum surface finishes hub.
Even matte pre-texture so the anodize appears uniform across every unit.
Corrosion protection and a cleanable, non-shedding surface suited to lab environments.
Permanent part numbers and labels marked after anodize with no inks or adhesives to degrade during cleaning.
Typical application
Where this enclosure is used
Diagnostic and laboratory instruments need enclosures that clean easily, look consistent on a bench, and come with a documented material trail for regulatory files.
Aluminum with a clear anodized, bead-blasted finish hits all three: corrosion-resistant, wipeable, cosmetically uniform, and fully traceable — without fabricating any confidential device details, which are left as placeholders here.
- Manufacturability review
Every project starts with an engineering review of tolerances, wall thickness, and finish before we quote. - Prototype to production
The same routing scales from a first article to recurring production batches. - Documentation
Material certificates and first article inspection reports are available on request.
Explore the engineering
Related capabilities, materials, and pages
This project connects to our wider aluminum machining program. Start with our engineering capabilities, then dive into the specific products, materials, industries, and finishes involved.
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Have a similar part? Get it quoted by an engineer
Upload your CAD model and drawing with alloy, finish, and tolerance notes. We review manufacturability before quoting — not after the parts are on the machine.
- Engineering review within one business day
- Prototype to production
- Material certificates available
- ISO 9001 quality management