Rittal's AE series has been a success story - for many years now. Millions of these robust and adaptable compact enclosures are in use all over the world. Rittal follows a path of permanent innovation to continue surprising its customers and offering them tangible benefits. The best example: the new interior installation rails for flexible mounting to the system enclosure, as well as the AE Laser Express for processing individual enclosures in just seven days.

A multitude of approvals - such as UL, DNV, TÜV, VDE and CSA - has led to the worldwide success of the AE compact enclosure, which Rittal manufactures using high-tech processes. It has been sold millions of times up to now. Its exceptionally high corrosion resistance remains one of its unique selling points. This is made possible by three-phase surface protection with nanoceramic pre-treatment, electrophoretic dipcoat-priming, and subsequent powder-coating.

Recently, compatibility with the TS 8 enclosure series accessories system has offered even more interior installation possibilities: New interior installation rails turn the AE into a system enclosure. These can be installed in a flash and without any need for mechanical work within the enclosure.

Thanks to the installation rails, which can be fixed to the side, floor or roof areas, accessories such as the TS 8 chassis, door-operated switches, lights, door stays, or thermostats and hygrostats can be installed quickly and safely. Assembly is easy, carried out by placing the rails against the rear panel of the enclosure and screwing them to the front enclosure edge.

The absence of drilling with this mounting technique means the protection category remains unaffected. This "platform strategy" provides tangible benefits due to simplified planning, stock-keeping and assembly.

The AE Laser Express also ensures faster processes and discernable cost benefits. It means even more rapid custom processing of compact enclosures - with individual cut-outs, punchings, die-cuts and drilled holes. Customers receive their AEs, machined to exact specifications, within a maximum of seven days. Individual customer requests can be directly imported online into the Rittal production line by CAD download.

The technological heart of the matter is a new machining centre with a fibre laser that makes the specified cut-outs to within a millimetre. The laser unit is part of the modern manufacturing facilities in Herborn. In a single machining operation, cut-outs or drilled holes can be made in all five sides of an enclosure body.

Since the enclosure only ceases being coated after it has passed through the laser unit, the cut edges also possess the usual high level of corrosion protection. The default colour used is RAL 7035. Alternatively, the customer can choose from more than 40 other RAL colours.

Rittal guarantees protection classes from IP 55 to 66 through a seamless polyurethane foam gasket or as an enclosure edge in the form of a rain gutter. An "AE IP 69 K" version, with an internal, water-proof silicon seal, as well as a special aluminium-zinc coating of the enclosure and door, offers perfect protection in tough environments.

Rittal has also developed a special hygienic design enclosure series for the foodstuffs industry on the basis of the AE. Besides this, the AE is available in stainless steel as well as in EMC or explosion protected versions.