Metal strength for enclosure

rtarbell · 5th September 2008, 11:17 PM

I am looking for a piece of steel or aluminum 15" by 15" to support approximately 30 pounds. Is there a "thickness" calculator, or approximation, to tell me how thick of a sheet of steel or aluminum I would need?

AudioFreak · 6th September 2008, 12:05 AM

Some more details of the application would be helpful. How will the weight be spread over the plate? How will the plate be supported?

rtarbell · 6th September 2008, 01:11 AM

Sorry about the lack of detail!

The main object to support is a 25 pound toroid transformer. The toroid transformer is about 12" in diameter. I am looking for a solid base to set it on. The plate would have four rubber feat beneath it.

--> I used to use a sheet of aluminum to support a similar sized toroid for a different project. After I disassembled the project, I realized that the aluminum sheet I used wasn't strong enough because there was a large indent in the metal where the toroid had been mounted.

jcx · 6th September 2008, 03:13 PM

how high do you plan on dropping it from?

Steerpike · 6th September 2008, 07:25 PM

I think it might be more practical to use thin metal, but reinforce it with "L"-shaped (as seen end on) cross members.

NanoFrog · 6th September 2008, 07:39 PM

Thin channel stock may also be used. It provides a little more rigidity, so it can support even more weight. A couple of strips spaced beneath the toroid should do.

It, as well as L stock, can lift toroid off the plate for ventilation.

5th September 2008, 11:17 PM	#1
rtarbell diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Metal strength for enclosure I am looking for a piece of steel or aluminum 15" by 15" to support approximately 30 pounds. Is there a "thickness" calculator, or approximation, to tell me how thick of a sheet of steel or aluminum I would need?

6th September 2008, 12:05 AM	#2
AudioFreak Warp Engineer On Holiday Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Queensland, Australia	Some more details of the application would be helpful. How will the weight be spread over the plate? How will the plate be supported? __________________ - Dan

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6th September 2008, 01:11 AM	#3
rtarbell diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Sorry about the lack of detail! The main object to support is a 25 pound toroid transformer. The toroid transformer is about 12" in diameter. I am looking for a solid base to set it on. The plate would have four rubber feat beneath it. --> I used to use a sheet of aluminum to support a similar sized toroid for a different project. After I disassembled the project, I realized that the aluminum sheet I used wasn't strong enough because there was a large indent in the metal where the toroid had been mounted.

6th September 2008, 03:13 PM	#4
jcx diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ..	how high do you plan on dropping it from?

6th September 2008, 07:25 PM	#5
Steerpike diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa	I think it might be more practical to use thin metal, but reinforce it with "L"-shaped (as seen end on) cross members.

6th September 2008, 07:39 PM	#6
NanoFrog diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Thin channel stock may also be used. It provides a little more rigidity, so it can support even more weight. A couple of strips spaced beneath the toroid should do. It, as well as L stock, can lift toroid off the plate for ventilation.

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