Exploring Camera Housing Types,Features and Manufacturing Methods

With an array of camera types, housing options, and features to consider, choosing the perfect solution requires careful evaluation and informed decision-making. In this article, we’ll delve into the different types of cameras, their housing choices, and essential features to help you make an informed choice.

Camera Housing Options

Outdoor Camera Housing

• Outdoor cameras require robust housing that is weather-resistant and may include features like heaters and blowers to withstand changing environmental conditions. These types of housing protect cameras from the elements such as rain, snow, dust & debris and extreme temperature.

• Outdoor camera housings are manufactured using durable materials. These include stainless steel, aluminum or polycarbonate that are corrosion resistant and can withstand exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Outdoor housings are made watertight through the use of seals, gaskets and o-rings that prevent moisture and dust from penetrating the housing.

Bullet Camera Housing

• Bullet-shaped housing clearly displays the direction of the lens, providing a better picture. They’re effective and easy to maintain, though not as ambiguous as dome housing. The sleek cylindrical shape is what gave rise to its name, bullet housing. 

• Bullet camera housings are usually made using metal alloys or aluminum. These robust materials shelter the camera from any impacts. Most bullet housing shapes are achieved through machining or extrusion processes to create the desired cylindrical shape. The final step is to coat the housing with a weather-resistant finish.

Dome Camera Housing

• Dome cameras obscure the direction of the camera, acting as a visual deterrent. Fixed dome cameras are effective for covering entrances, while PTZ domes offer flexible monitoring. Dome camera housing is a popular choice for security cameras, particularly for entryways. They are also aesthetically pleasing when compared to box cameras. 

• Dome camera housings are made from polycarbonate, glass or acrylic and molded into a dome shape using special techniques to ensure structural integrity and high optical clarity. While plastic housing is less expensive, glass is better suited for outdoor use despite its higher cost.  
  
• Dome cameras are used both indoor and outdoors, though a dome camera will require more maintenance than a box or bullet camera. Dome housings are more prone to condensation, water damage and reflections. In many cases, anti-reflective coatings are applied to counter glare and distortion.

Box Camera Housing

• Box housings consist of a rectangular box with a camera lens. When combined with weatherproof housing, these cameras are perfect for outdoor use. However, they don’t have as much aesthetic appeal as other camera housing types, making them less popular for indoor use.

• Box camera housings provide better image quality as the box shape allows for more space for hardware and the lens on a box camera is usually interchangeable. This factor is what makes them superior to dome or bullet cameras, though they tend to be more expensive.

Medical Device Camera Housing

Medical device cameras are used in various applications within the healthcare industry, ranging from endoscopy and surgical procedures to diagnostic imaging and telemedicine. These cameras require specialized housing to ensure they meet the stringent requirements of medical environments.

Common types of medical device cameras include endoscopic camera housing, surgical camera housing, diagnostic imaging camera housing and ophthalmic camera housing. 

The specific design and materials used for camera housings in medical devices can vary widely based on the intended application and the specific requirements of the medical environment. These housings are often designed to meet medical regulatory standards for safety, durability, and cleanliness.

Hidden Camera Housing

• Discreet cameras are disguised as other objects or hidden within the environment. These are ideal for maintaining aesthetics and are not designed to deter potential threats. Discreet cameras are commonly disguised as smoke detectors or other inanimate everyday objects that enable them to blend seamlessly with their environment. 

• Discreet camera housings are often custom-designed enclosures. They take many forms, and thus are often made from materials that allow for easy customization such as plastic.

Vandal-Resistant Housing

• Vandal-resistant housings, often dome-shaped, are designed to withstand harsh environments while delivering usable images.
• In order for a housing to be vandal-resistant, it must be manufactured with a heavy-duty material such as stainless steel or cast aluminum. These housings are often reinforced and equipped with tamper-resistant screws.

It is important to note that all types of camera housing can be made vandalism resistant. Vandal resistant camera housings are typically dome shaped and can withstand unfriendly environments.

Explosion Proof Camera Housing

• Explosion proof enclosures are used in hazardous industrial settings where there is a risk of explosion or fire. These settings include mines, chemical factories, oil refineries and other industrial facilities with flammable gasses or vapors. 

• In order to be considered explosion proof, the camera must be able to withstand an internal explosion and also prevent it from spreading to the camera’s immediate surroundings. Explosion proof camera housings are manufactured using stainless steel, a solid non-corrosive aluminum construction or high-impact polystyrene.

Because the needs of each camera and setting are so unique, custom camera enclosures are often the best option. Optmel was founded by a Kodak engineer and has been supplying camera enclosures for the medical, industrial and security sector since 2009. You can trust Optmel’s engineers to understand the special requirements of your camera needs and our manufacturing expertise to come up with innovative solutions to your challenges and bring them to life. 

Selecting the right camera housing system involves understanding the various camera types, housing choices, and features available. By evaluating your project needs, considering the environment, and assessing required features, you can make an informed decision that suits your specific requirements. With a wide range of options, achieving comprehensive security is within reach, and remember, expert guidance is always available to assist you in making the right choice. Your safety and peace of mind are worth the investment in the right camera housing solution. Contact us today to get started. 

Camera Housing Manufacturing Techniques:

• Injection Molding: Used for creating plastic components like dome housings. Molten plastic is injected into a mold and cooled to form the desired shape.

• Die-Casting: Used for metal housings like bullet and vandal-resistant enclosures. Molten metal is poured into a mold, then cooled and removed to create the housing.

• Machining: Metal housings may be machined from a solid block or extruded material. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines are used to precisely shape and cut the housing components.

• Assembly: After manufacturing individual components, housings are assembled using techniques like welding, riveting, or screwing. Seals and gaskets are added to ensure weather resistance.

Camera housing comes in various types, each tailored to specific security needs and environmental conditions. The manufacturing process involves selecting appropriate materials and techniques to create durable, functional, and visually appealing enclosures that protect and enhance the performance of cameras.