Filed Under:
Industry
Published on
April 25, 2025
Many industries, from aerospace and defense to medicine and telecommunications, depend on sensitive electronics at the heart of their products. These electronics need to be ready to use at the drop of a hat to perform in life saving situations, so ensuring they are protected is extremely important. So, what happens when you put a product in an environment with electrostatic discharge, unprotected?
This post discusses the importance of custom carrying cases and the materials used to protect electronics and make sure they are ready for the real world.
Electrostatic discharge happens when two objects that have electrical charges come into close contact, permitting electricity to leap from one to the other. This discharge might range from minor static shocks that humans can barely register to powerful discharges that have the potential to ruin delicate electronic parts, like integrated circuits, microprocessors, and sensors. ESD has the unfortunate side effect of sometimes going undetected for a while after the initial discharge. That time lag can make it an especially insidious problem.
Considering the probable costs tied to ESD damage—replacing gear, lost time when operations are halted, and the price of finding and fixing problems—that's the incentive for any business that depends on delicate electronics to put protective measures in place.
Cases specifically designed to combat ESD utilize anti-static foam and special conductive materials that safely dissipate static electricity. These cases are effective at neutralizing charges and preventing harmful ESD events from occurring.
Anti-static foam, which is usually crafted from polyethylene or polyurethane with added carbon, serves as a protective cushion for sensitive electronics. It dissipates electrical charges slowly and safely—far more safely than standard foam.
Two common forms of this foam are:
Foam with Static Dissipation: Prevents the discharge from reaching the end of the line too quickly and causes a sudden shock.
Conductive Foam: Channels electricity away from components safely and effectively, making it ideal for use with highly sensitive electronics.
Cases often use conductive or static-dissipative plastics for the outer shell or internal compartments, further reducing static buildup. These materials provide pathways to safely ground static charges and significantly lower the risk of ESD.
Custom anti-static cases have many advantages, one of which is their tailored design. Foam inserts that are cut to precision provide snug and secure housing for each component and ensure that the cases have minimal electronic or physical damage.
Custom-built inserts snugly fit component dimensions, furnishing superior cushioning while reducing contact friction—also a source of potential static electricity. Fitted inserts also improve organization, making it simpler to identify and handle sensitive electronic components. That much is clear from a straightforward look inside the case.
Environmental seals, pressure-relief valves, and moisture barriers can be integrated into a custom case that is designed to protect electronics from the conditions that make them prone to ESD, weather, and corrosion.
Across many high-tech sectors, custom anti-static cases are a must. They make it possible to store and ship delicate electronic devices in such a way that those devices have a decent chance of working when they're taken out of the cases and used.
Aerospace and Defense - Safeguarding avionics systems, navigation systems, and communication devices at the heart of mission success and the safety of air and space vehicle passengers.
Med Tech - Ensuring delicate diagnostic tools, monitors, and laboratory instruments stay safe from static damage when they are on the move.
IT and Electronics Manufacturing- Protecting sensitive parts such as microchips, circuit boards, and data storage components during assembly, shipping, and deployment.
Consumer Electronics – Consumers expect that their electronics come in cases that increase the longevity of those products.
Integrity and performance of networking equipment, fiber optics, and mobile communication devices are what we ensure in telecom.
Investing in custom anti-static cases significantly cuts the costs associated with repairing, replacing, and maintaining equipment from related damages. Ensuring that electronic equipment comes to businesses fully functional and operationally ready means avoiding the kinds of expensive service interruptions and downtime that ESD failures can force on a company.
Keeping delicate electronics safe from electrostatic discharge is critical for many industries that depend on the precision and reliability of their electronic components. Royal Case Company designs and builds custom electronics cases that comprehensively protect valuable electronic assets from the dangers of static electricity, physical damage, and environmental hazards. Contact us today to learn more about how our cases can safeguard your electronics and enhance operational reliability.
Author: Kelvin Gentry
Kelvin Gentry is the Marketing Director for Royal Case Company Inc. based out of Sherman, TX.
