CCTV cameras focus on the key advantages of Clamason pressings
Clamason Industries manufactures four pressed metal casing components in Zintec zinc-coated mild steel (base, lid, backplate and a PCB carrier) to enclose the motor and electronics of a large range of CCTV cameras designed for different applications, viewing areas and light levels.
The base, lid and PCB carrier consisted formerly of three aluminium extrusions, whilst the backplate was an ABS plastic moulding with apertures, some blanked off where labels were affixed.
The customers are CCTV equipment designers and manufacturers Baxall Ltd of Stockport, Cheshire, UK.
Founded in 1976, Baxall have grown steadily to become the foremost UK producer of CCTV equipment and network video products. They are now Europe’s largest manufacturer of CCTV cameras, producing annually more than 350,000 units that feature high-resolution images and true-to-life colour rendition.
As suppliers of the standard case for the overwhelming majority of Baxall CCTV cameras, Clamason’s sturdy precision pressings were specified by the Baxall design team as a far better, more aesthetically pleasing and more cost-effective engineering solution, replacing the three aluminium extrusions and ABS plastic moulding previously used.
Whilst extrusion tools were cheaper, the unit cost of extruded components was more than three times higher than that of pressed products. Accordingly the changeover to Clamason pressings became more relevant as the quantities required of most models of Baxall camera rose dramatically in the international climate of heightened security following 9/11 and are still rising steadily year-on-year.
Hence in 2003, the first year of its contract, Clamason Industries was manufacturing 85,000 parts for two Baxall CCTV cameras, whereas in 2005 Clamason produced over 350,000 parts for six of their cameras.
As part of its service, Clamason prints in-house, on the rear panel of the casing, model identities and functional details with a Tampo screen printing machine, from artwork supplied by Baxall. That is after Clamason has had the units subcontract painted in either oyster white, grey, black or silver to suit different Baxall customers.
Formerly labels were used for identification, involving greater complexity as well as problems in registration and colour matching. Overall Baxall felt that labelling was an aesthetically inferior process solution which also made amendments more difficult to implement.
For further details about this application, please contact:
Amanda Hall, Marketing Manager, BAXALL LTD, Unit 1, Castlehill, Horsfield Way, Bredbury Park Industrial Estate, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 2SU,
tel: 0161-406 6611, fax: 0161-406 8988, email: amanda.hall@baxall.com
Web: www.baxall.com
