Design SMART developed an enclosure for the electronic components of the Senztrak unit, a product which sits in trays of kiwifruit and actively detects any spoiling fruit. Senztrak monitors the humidity level inside the fruit tray and detects the gases produced by decaying fruit, before deteriorating fruit can affect an entire tray. A radio signal is sent to a control system so that action can be taken. The units’ electronics needed to be protected from moisture ingress, this was done by way of a plastic enclosure. We had to come up with a way of allowing the sniffer, antenna and humidity sensors to sit outside of the sealed compartment protecting the main electronics while still protecting these items from physical damage. Our client wanted to keep away from the use of small metal screws, which can come loose, and small pieces of metal in and around fruit is not a desirable thing. So the plastic mouldings enclosure is designed in a clamshell style using a plastic clip to hold the assembly together. It has an intricate gasket seal in the middle of the clam shell design allowing the sensors to protrude from the electronic board through the gasket and into vented cavities at both ends of the design. With gold kiwifruit driving industry growth and already worth $3 billion a year to the New Zealand economy, the potential for this product could see tens of thousands of Senztrak units being manufactured.
When you’re making thousands of units, the assembly time becomes critical. Hinging and clipping the electronic enclosure together with a central gasket has given Senztrak Ltd a fast and easy assembly process, this means Senztrak can assemble this device in New Zealand cost effectively.
For further information contact Nigel Beach at Senztrak Ltd info@senztrak.com