Battery Enclosures, Brackets & Structural Parts for Electric Machinery
Electrifying a machine adds a large, heavy, sensitive battery pack — and that pack needs a protective enclosure and structural mounting. As construction and commercial equipment electrifies, parts demand shifts toward custom metal enclosures, brackets, and frames. Here's what they involve.
Why electric machines need new structural parts
A battery pack is heavy and must be protected from impact, vibration, water, and dust. Motors, inverters, and cooling components all need mounting. Electrification isn't just swapping the engine for a motor — it's a rethink of the machine's structure, which creates demand for new brackets, frames, and enclosures.
The battery enclosure
The enclosure protects the cells from impact and from water and dust ingress, and contributes to thermal and fire containment. It's usually fabricated from steel or aluminium sheet metal and sealed to a defined ingress-protection (IP) rating. Requirements: strength, reliable sealing, and a precise fit around the pack.
Brackets and structural mounts
Brackets and mounts carry the battery, motor, inverter, and cooling parts. They must hold significant weight and resist vibration over the machine's life without cracking — so material, welds, and design all matter.
Material choices
- Aluminium — light (important for range and payload on electric machines), corrosion-resistant, and good at dissipating heat
- Steel — strong and economical, but needs a protective finish against corrosion
- Stainless steel — corrosion-resistant throughout, for harsher environments
Key requirements
- Strength for a heavy battery plus vibration
- Sealing (IP rating) on enclosures against water and dust
- Corrosion protection — the right material and finish
- Precise fit — mounting holes and clearances that match
- Weight optimisation, where aluminium helps
How they're made
Enclosures and brackets are typically produced by sheet-metal fabrication — laser cutting, bending, and welding — with casting or machining used where a part needs high strength or a complex form. No engineering drawings? A sample or the existing part can be reverse-engineered.
What to look for
- Material matched to weight and environment (aluminium for weight, steel for cost, stainless for corrosion)
- Reliable sealing and a corrosion-resistant finish
- Strong, cleanly welded construction with a precise fit
- Dimensional inspection before shipment
Frequently asked questions
Why is aluminium common for battery enclosures?
It's light — which helps range and payload — corrosion-resistant, and dissipates heat well.
What IP rating does a battery enclosure need?
It must keep out water and dust; sealed ratings such as IP67 are common for the pack, depending on the application.
Can enclosures be made without drawings?
Yes — from a sample or the existing part, with critical dimensions confirmed.
Related reading
Need custom parts for your equipment?
Upload your CAD file and our engineering team will respond within 24 hours with a detailed quote and DFM feedback.
Request a Quote
