Bel-Air Carrying Cases: Ultimate Protection For Valuables

If you need to protect valuable items such as electronics, diagnostic equipment, medical equipment, photography equipment or perhaps something else expensive or fragile, our custom carrying cases can be a perfect fit.

What Type Of Carry Case Should You Select?

We offer two “levels” of carrying cases, our medium-duty carry cases and our heavy-duty carrying cases. Our medium-duty cases can be created in hundreds of sizes and almost limitless custom configurations. Your cases will look, function, protect and display your products precisely the way you require.

These cases are perfect for OEM applications as well as for sales kits, diagnostic instruments and electronics. Typically, we recommend that these cases not be used as shipping cases, although they are fine as airline luggage on occasion.

If you do need a plastic carrying case that can be transported frequently as luggage or freight, then you would want to opt for our heavy-duty carrying cases. These cases are created using the same materials that we would use for our heavy-duty shipping cases, but we form them on our carrying case molds.

The result is a highly durable, yet lightweight case that fully protects your expensive and delicate items. If you need ATA cases, the heavy-duty carry cases can be built to meet ATA specs as well as many MIL specs. The heavy-duty carrying case is perfect when you have items to ship frequently, yet you want a case that is smaller and easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

Why Plastic?

There are many different case materials for consumers to consider, but plastic has some distinct advantages over materials such as aluminum and wood. While aluminum is lightweight, it’s easily damaged and the level of customization is much lower. Fabricated wood cases, often used for custom road cases, can be created in just about any size, but these are quite heavy and expensive to ship.

Our plastic materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are lightweight, which makes them easier to transport and less expensive to transport. Additionally, HDPE is highly water-resistant and chemical-resistant, as well as being able to handle temperature extremes.

Our equipment cases with foam also are created using vacuum-forming, which allows us to create cases in a vast array of configurations. Other plastic cases, such as injection-molded and roto-molded cases are quite durable, but the level of customization is far lower.

Our team will assess your case needs to determine if a Bel-Air Case or another type of case is the best fit for your needs. If we find that another type of case is the best fit, we will point you in the right direction to find a quality manufacturer.

Why Choose Custom Cases?

 

1. A Perfect Fit

Custom carrying cases can be tailored to precisely fit the items you want to protect, ensuring a snug and secure fit. Off-the-shelf cases may not provide the exact dimensions or interior configurations needed for your items, which could lead to them shifting around or getting damaged during transport.

customized foam case interior - 2 layers2. Enhanced Protection

Custom carrying cases often include features designed to provide additional protection, such as our custom foam inserts or compartments that are specifically molded to accommodate your items. These added features can minimize the risk of damage from impacts, vibrations, and other environmental factors, unlike generic cases that may lack such specialized protection.

Our custom cases include custom foam interiors. Some manufacturers will sell you a custom case with a chunk of cheap pick-and-pluck foam inside. This cheap diced foam breaks down easily and the customer is forced to create cavities for their equipment.

At Bel-Air Cases, we use the highest quality case foam, and we believe that if you are paying for a custom case, it should include a custom foam interior. We can create any type of hard case with foam that you need, adding special interior features such as panel mounts, shock mounts, windows, interior doors and more.

hard case with foam3. Personalization & Branding

Custom carrying cases can be designed to showcase your brand identity or personal style. You can choose colors, logos, and other design elements that make the case unique and easily identifiable. Off-the-shelf cases typically come in standard designs and colors, limiting the opportunity for personalization.

With Bel-Air Cases, you can customize the size and configuration, interior features and add many custom elements to your padded equipment case. We offer a wide variety of latches, locks, feet, wheels and handles. In addition to our standard colors (black and silver), we offer an array of stock colors including white, yellow, orange, red, green, olive and blue. We also can add molded-in logos or add custom engraved plates and decals to each case.

Order Custom Carrying Cases Today!

Whether you need just one carrying case or a fleet of carrying cases, the team at Bel-Air cases is here to help. Simply click on the Request A Quote tab on our homepage and provide us with some basic details about your custom case project. We also can provide you with heavy-duty shipping cases as well as heavy-duty trade show cases.

Bel-Air Cargo Cases: Rugged Custom Shipping Cases

If you need to ship expensive or delicate items as luggage or cargo, you need cargo cases that can withstand the punishment inflicted by the transportation industry. Our Bel-Air custom shipping cases can protect your products whether they are transported by airplane, container ship, train, trucks, tanks or even in a rocket to the International Space Station.

 

There are plenty of case manufacturers out there, so why choose us over an off-the-shelf case company or another custom cargo case or shipping case manufacturer? There are several reasons why we believe Bel-Air Cases is the best option for many types of equipment.

 

5 Reasons To Choose Bel-Air Cargo Cases

  1. We Have 50+ Years Of Experience

Bel-Air Cases is the original manufacturer of vacuum-formed plastic carrying cases and heavy-duty shipping cases. Since the 1960s, we’ve designed and built cases for just about any item imaginable, and our team has the experience and know-how to create a case that is perfect for your needs, no matter what those might be.

 

  1. Our Heavy-Duty Cases Meet ATA Guidelines

ATA specifications were created by the airline industry to help consumers find cases that were built to withstand frequent air travel. The airline industry can be tough on cases, but our heavy-duty shipping cases can handle flight after flight with ease and continue to protect whatever you place inside your case.

 

ATA specifications require that an ATA case be able to handle at least 100 round-trip flights, and we think you will find that our ATA shipping cases can go well beyond this standard and our shipping cases also meet many MIL specifications.

 

Whether you need ATA cases or you need cases that meet military, government or aerospace specifications, we are likely to be able to provide you with cargo cases that meet all of your transportation needs.

 

If you need waterproof cargo cases, our cases fit the bill. You can drag our custom shipping cases through a Brazilian rainforest without worrying about damaging what’s inside. Our cases also can handle temperature extremes, so whether you need a case that can handle the freezing temperatures of Antarctica or the heat of Death Valley, we have you covered.

 

  1. Our Shipping Cases Are Made-To-Order, Yet Affordable

At Bel-Air Cases, we do not offer any off-the-shelf cases as every case is made to order. This means we don’t have any cases already, completely build, in stock or ready to ship. Our goal is to build the best cargo cases for your requirements and not try to fit you into the closest size case we might already happen to have. This provides you with a much greater range of sizes and options, assembled just the way you want it.

 

While each case is made to order, our customers often are surprised at the overall affordability. We certainly don’t sell cheap $50 cases, but you also won’t find many $900 cases either. Typically, you can expect to pay about $400 each for five large shipping cases, which is actually a great value for made-to-order thermoformed cases.

 

  1. Each Case Includes Custom Foam

While the exterior of our cargo cases is tough and durable, our shipping cases also include a custom foam insert. Unlike many companies in the case industry, we never hand off a case with a hunk of cheap pick and pluck foam, also known as diced foam. This is a low-quality type of foam, and not only is it not as protective as our custom foam, but the customer also is forced to create custom cavities for their equipment by snipping away at the foam with scissors or blades.

 

If a customer is paying for a hard case with foam, we firmly believe they should not have to deal with this cheap diced foam. Our custom foam interiors can be as simple as a high-quality foam liner, or we can fabricate interior walls, add dividers or interior doors, add panel mounts or shock mounts and much more. We design each foam insert specifically around the products placed inside, and the case foam adds another layer of protection to keep your delicate equipment safe from the bumps and jolts typical during transportation.

 

  1. You Can Customize Everything!

In addition to customizing the size of your cargo cases and the interior foam, we have many other custom options. You can add different types of wheels and handles to your cases, including telescoping handles. You can choose from a wide selection of locks and latches, and if you don’t see precisely what you want on our website, we can probably find what you are looking for and we are happy to search around until we find the perfect match.

 

Additionally, we can provide you with an assortment of case colors. Black and silver are our standard case colors, but we can create your cargo cases in several other stock colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. With a minimum order, we may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching. We also can add molded-in logos, custom decals or engraved plates to your cases.

 

What Can You Ship In Our Cargo Cases?

While you can place just about anything inside a custom Bel-Air shipping case, here are just a few items for which our heavy-duty equipment cases are commonly used:

  • Aerospace Equipment
  • Audio-Visual Equipment
  • Cameras & Related Equipment
  • Commercial Tooling
  • Computer Equipment (and Electronics)
  • Diagnostic & Testing Equipment
  • Industrial Tooling
  • Lighting Equipment (Industrial & Commercial)
  • Medical Equipment
  • Military Equipment
  • Motorcycle Engines
  • Surveying & Seismographic Devices

 

Additionally, we also produce custom expo cases, which are ideal for trade show displays and graphics or any other item with an odd size or shape that won’t fit easily into a standard shipping case.

 

We also produce medium-duty and heavy-duty carrying cases. These carry cases can be used to hold many types of equipment and also are used frequently as sales kits and OEM cases. Our medium-duty cases are not appropriate for items that will be frequently shipped as luggage or cargo, but our heavy-duty carrying cases can handle the rigors of transport with ease.

 

Contact Bel-Air Cases Today!

If you need rugged custom shipping cases or cargo cases, contact us at any time. If we don’t think our cases are the perfect fit for your equipment, we will let you know, but we typically can match every customer to custom cases that meet their specifications and their budget. You can contact us by phone at (866) 235-2472 or via email at info@bel-air-cases.com.

Plastic Cases With Foam Inserts: Why Foam Matters

At Bel-Air Cases, our custom plastic carrying cases and shipping cases are built to be protective and durable, but we are well aware that if you truly want to protect what’s inside a case, plastic cases with foam inserts are essential. Still, it’s not just about adding foam, it’s about adding the highest quality foam inserts, which is the only kind of foam we provide for our clients.

 

Custom Foam Vs. Pick & Pluck Foam

Too often in the case industry, a custom case maker hands off a case with a chunk of diced foam inside. This also is known as pick and pluck foam because the new owner of the case has to pick away and pluck away at the foam in order to create cavities for their equipment.

 

Not only does this look sloppy, but it’s also not nearly as protective as a custom foam insert. Pick and pluck foam tends to be low-quality foam, as well, and will break down quickly, forcing the case owner to purchase new foam and pick and pluck and cut out new cavities.

 

We’ve been designing and producing carrying cases, shipping cases and expo cases for more than 50 years and not once have we ever handed off a case with a chunk of diced foam. Each of our plastic cases with foam includes a custom foam insert. It might be as simple as a quality foam liner, or we can provide you with a design that shields and cushions every piece of equipment that will go inside the case.

 

Foam is crucial because it protects delicate and expensive items from the typical jostling involved in transportation, and our durable foam also absorbs vibrations. Our custom foam inserts are designed to fit precisely around your equipment, providing the highest level of support and protection.

 

Which Type Of Case Do You Need?

We offer three different categories of custom plastic cases – carrying cases, shipping cases and expo cases.

 

Carrying Cases We offer medium-duty and heavy-duty carrying cases and these are ideal for sales kits, diagnostic equipment, medical kits, smaller photography equipment and even as OEM cases.

 

Medium-duty cases are best used for items that only occasionally will be transported as luggage and for items that weigh between five and 40 pounds. Typically, a medium-duty carrying case will be transported by car or perhaps in the overhead bin of an airplane, but they aren’t really meant to be used as freight cases.

 

If you need a carrying case that can be transported frequently as luggage or cargo, our heavy-duty cases are your best option. These cases can protect delicate items and heavy items that weigh 30 to 40 pounds.

 

Shipping Cases – If you need tough, durable cases that can handle the rigors of transportation and frequent shipping, our heavy-duty shipping cases are your best option. These cases can be built to accommodate most ATA and MIL specifications and are designed using the toughest materials and hardware we carry. In fact, our client list includes many aerospace companies as well as the U.S. military, so our plastic cases with foam truly can handle the toughest environments.

 

Expo Cases – These cases (also known as trade show cases) are built using the same tough materials as our shipping cases, but they come in unique sizes to carry items frequently transported to trade shows, such as posters, graphics, displays, banners and other objects that just don’t fit into our regular style cases.

 

How We Make Plastic Cases With Foam

Bel-Air Cases was the first company to produce vacuum-formed hard plastic cases. Each of our equipment cases, carry cases and shipping cases are custom-made to order, and we do not offer any off-the-shelf cases.

 

To build each case, we use thick sheets of high-density polyethylene, which is a durable, impact-resistant and moisture-resistant thermoform plastic. We chose this material because of its durability as well as its ability to withstand temperature extremes and keep out moisture and water. It’s also very lightweight, which can reduce your shipping costs.

 

Each sheet of plastic is heated to a malleable temperature and then vacuum-formed using a custom mold. Once each half of your case has been vacuum-formed, we use heavy-duty aluminum valances to hold the two halves together. We can then add a variety of standard and optional hardware components including hinges, latches, handles and wheels.

 

In addition to offering many options for custom handles, wheels, latches and other hardware, we also can customize the look of your cases. Our standard colors are silver and black, but we have several optional stock colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. With a minimum purchase, we may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching.

 

Many of our customers also like to personalize their cases with graphics and logos. We can add a molded-in logo to each of your hard plastic case with foam inside or add engraved plates or custom decals. These can be a great option for OEM cases and sales kits, providing you with a truly professional look, but they also can make it easy to gather up your cases at a busy airport, trade show or other events.

 

Our Foam Options

While we offer tons of custom options for your case exterior, we are experts at fabricating foam interiors. We can create custom die-cut cavities, fabricate interior walls, add plastic dividers, interior doors, windows, panel mounts and shock mounts depending on your needs and the type of equipment or items you intend to place inside.

 

Custom foam is the best option for just about any carrying case or shipping case, and we usually can construct custom foam sets for around the same price as you’d expect to pay for cases filled with diced foam or cheap foam slabs.

 

If you need custom plastic cases with foam inserts, the team at Bel-Air Cases is ready to help. We can provide you with carrying cases, expo cases and durable shipping cases. To get started with a case project, just click on the Contact tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. You also can call us at (866) 235-2472 or email us at info@bel-air-cases.com.

Shipping Your Hard Case With Foam

At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing and producing custom cases for more than 50 years, and if you need a hard case with foam that can handle the rigors of transportation, we’ve got you covered. But, we also have some helpful information about shipping your cases, and which carriers might offer the best options for your needs.

 

First, A Look At Our Foam

While the exterior of a Bel-Air hard case with foam is built to handle shipping as cargo or freight, the foam interiors are just as important and as you came to this page looking for a “hard case with foam,” let’s talk about foam for a minute.

 

It’s not uncommon within the case industry for manufacturers to hand off completed cases with a chunk of diced foam inside. This also is known as pick and pluck foam, and it’s a cheap type of foam that is not built specifically for your case. In fact, the customer is responsible for cutting away at the foam with a razor blade in order to create cavities to hold their equipment. While this practice is common, we find it unacceptable.

 

We believe that if a customer is investing in a quality custom hard case with foam, that foam needs to be high-quality and customized to whatever will be going inside. We can design any type of foam interior you might need and are experts in fabricating interior walls, plastic dividers, interior doors, windows, panel mounts and shock mounts.

 

Our quality foam also will hold up for many years, unlike the diced foam that some manufacturers use. If you truly want a highly protective hard case with foam that can stand up to the punishment inflicted by the transportation industry, our plastic cases are equal to the task.

 

Your Shipping Options

Our heavy-duty carrying cases and heavy-duty shipping cases can be shipped without any additional packaging. Depending on the size of the case, you have many shipping options including UPS, FedEx, DHL and the United States Postal Service (USPS). If your case fits within an airline’s luggage specifications, you also maybe be able to simply bring it with you are cargo during your flight.

 

USPS will not ship packages more than 130 inches in combined length and girth, and once your parcel is more than 108 inches, your case falls in the Very Large USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Select categories.

 

UPS has similar restrictions, as well as a weight limit of 150 pounds for regular parcels. If you are over that size or weight, you will need to opt for UPS’ freight services and they offer a variety of freight services, both domestically and internationally. FedEx also places packages greater in weight than 150 pounds in the freight services category.

 

Keep in mind, our largest shipping case has a combined total measurement of less than 108 inches, so if the total weight is less than 150 pounds, you may be able to ship the case without opting for freight services. We can build larger cases if you need them, of course, but our largest standard model is 48×24 and up to 27 inches in total height. When it comes to our heavy-duty carrying cases, only our very largest sizes exceed 108 inches and are just over 40 pounds empty at their heaviest.

 

In many situations, it’s smart to look beyond USPS, UPS or FedEx for your freight shipping needs. For instance, you could look into less-than-load freight shipping, also known as less-than-truckload shipping or just LTL shipping. Basically, with LTL shipping, you are taking up a portion of space on a truck and because other shippers also are paying for a portion of the space, the overall costs can be more affordable than with other types of freight shipping.

 

When it comes to expo cases, which we also produce, and cases shipped for trade shows, we recommend you look into special event shipping companies. These companies specialize in moving freight for companies involved in trade shows and other big events, and they often have better pricing than you would find through a more traditional type of freight company.

 

If you are shipping your case, we recommend having them built with locking mechanisms, and we have several options, including key locks and combination locks. Our best tip is to let us know how you intend to ship your hard case with foam so that we can build it out with that in mind.

 

Which Case Is Your Best Option?

If you plan on shipping your cases frequently, you have several options when it comes to case type, and each has its pros and cons. The most important factor is to ensure that the shipping cases you purchase are built to ATA standards.

 

ATA standards were created by the airline industry for suitcase and shipping case manufacturers and when cases are built to ATA standards, it means they are built to handle frequent transport, whether it’s as cargo on an airplane, truck, train or ship. We can build you cases that meet most ATA and MIL specs. Our clients include the aerospace industry and the military, so we have many years of experience building cases that have to handle the toughest conditions.

 

We specialize in designing and producing custom vacuum-formed hard plastic cases. Our cases are built using high-density polyethylene, which is a durable type of plastic known for its impact resistance. This polyethylene also is moisture-resistant and resistant to many chemicals and can handle temperature extremes. Polyethylene also is very lightweight, which helps keep your shipping costs down.

 

Other options include roto-molded cases, injection-mold cases and fabricated wood cases. Each of these types of cases has its pros and cons. For instance, roto-molded cases and fabricated wood are very heavy, but roto-molded cases are quite durable and fabricated cases can be easily customized to whatever configuration you need. The team at Bel-Air Cases will let you know if our vacuum-formed cases are your best option or something else might be a better fit as we want all of our customers matched to the best possible case type for their needs.

 

With vacuum-forming, we can design cases in almost unlimited sizes and configurations. Through the years, we have collected a wide variety of case tooling, with more than 50 different configurations ready to go. However, if you need a unique size, we can build that for you, as well, although it might add a few extra weeks to your case project.

 

If you need a hard case with foam (or many), the team at Bel-Air Cases can help. We’ve been designing custom shipping cases and carrying cases since the 1960s for everything from lighting equipment to audio-visual equipment to military equipment. Our cases can be used for sales kits, medical kits, diagnostic equipment and even as OEM cases. Give us a call at any time and let’s get started on your custom case project.

Bel-Air Plastic Carrying Cases With Handles

If you’ve been searching the internet for a custom “plastic carrying case with handle,” the team at Bel-Air Cases can design whatever you might need. We’ve been designing and producing plastic carrying cases and shipping cases for more than 50 years for clients in a wide range of industries. Here are four quick facts about Bel-Air Cases and what we provide for our clients.

 

  1. We Have Two Plastic Carrying Case “Levels”

At Bel-Air Cases, we offer a medium-duty plastic carrying case and a heavy-duty plastic carrying case. The medium-duty cases are designed to be used as sales kits, demo kits and OEM cases and for items that weigh up to 40 pounds. While these cases can be transported occasionally as luggage, they aren’t meant for frequent transport. Most of our medium-duty cases tend to be used for short-distance travel, typically in a vehicle trunk or backseat.

 

If you do need the convenience of a plastic carrying case, but also intend to ship that case frequently as cargo or luggage, our heavy-duty carrying cases are the perfect option. This is also a great option for heavier items that weigh 30 to 40 pounds.

 

These cases are built using the same materials we use for our shipping cases, but they are formed using our carrying case molds, which results in an easy-to-transport case that offers maximum protection. In fact, our heavy-duty plastic carrying case with a handle can meet MIL and ATA specifications. Over the years, we’ve had many military and aerospace clients that use our heavy-duty carrying cases and shipping cases, and these cases definitely can hold up to the rigors of military and aerospace transport.

 

  1. We Use Tough Materials

When you think about the term, “plastic carrying case,” you might not correlate the idea of plastic with words like durable and tough, but the polyethylene we use for our heavy-duty carrying cases and shipping cases is one of the most durable case materials available.

 

Plastic materials are tough and impact-resistant, as well as moisture-resistant. Our cases can handle temperature extremes and changing weather conditions. Whether you need to take a Bel-Air Case to a research station in Antarctica or into the Brazilian rainforest, your Bel-Air case can handle the temperature changes or even a torrential downpour. Our plastic materials are chemical-resistant and UV-resistant, as well.

 

Of course, many people worry that in order for cases to be tough, they will end up with an excessively heavy carrying case, but polyethylene is extremely lightweight and the aluminum we use for the case valances is also lightweight, yet highly durable. While our heavy-duty cases can handle the rigors of transport with ease, your plastic case with handle also will be easy to tote.

 

  1. We Have Many Handle Options

Every Bel-Air Case is made-to-order, we don’t have any off-the-shelf cases, and this provides customers with the freedom to create completely custom plastic carrying cases with handles. Obviously, every case needs a sturdy handle, and we have a wide variety, including everything from telescoping handles to strap and briefcase type handles. Handles can be recessed, as well, which complies with ATA specifications.

 

Of course, it’s not just about customizing a plastic carrying case with a handle, we also have a variety of other custom features, including wheels, hinges, latches and locks. While our carrying cases can be carried easily, adding wheels and a telescoping handle can be a great option if your case contains heavier items. We also can add a variety of locking mechanisms, including key locks and combination locks.

 

In addition to creating a custom plastic carrying case with handle, wheels, locks and latches, we also can add in a molded-in logo, a custom decal or engraved plates. Our standard colors include silver and black, but we also have several optional stock colors. With a specific minimum order, we may be able to provide you with color matching or a custom color.

 

  1. We Provide Custom Foam Interiors

While the exterior of your case is important and protective, the interior can be just as important. We design our custom foam interiors with your products or equipment in mind, and each custom cavity or die-cut will surround and cushion your equipment precisely.

 

Too often, custom case makers will hand off a great-looking plastic carrying case with a handle, but once you open it, you find a chunk of diced foam inside. This low-quality type of foam, also known and pick and pluck foam, is a problem for several reasons. Not only does it force the client to cut away at the foam to create custom cavities for their client, but it also tends to break down quickly and you’ll have to replace the foam again and again. Of course, once you finish plucking away at the foam, you will have a bunch of foam let over that you end up throwing away.

 

We think our clients deserve better. If you’re paying for a custom carrying case or custom shipping case, a custom foam interior should be part of the project. We can design any type of custom foam interior you might need from a simple foam liner to foam interiors with plastic dividers, interior doors, windows, panel mounts, shock mounts and more.

 

Selecting A Case

At Bel-Air, our focus is on designing and building vacuum-formed plastic carrying cases and shipping cases, but those aren’t the only case option to consider. Our cases are ideal for many types of products including lighting equipment, audio-visual equipment, medical equipment, etc. Our heavy-duty carrying cases and shipping cases often are used to protect and store military or aerospace equipment, but they can be built around just about any item.

 

Our cases are ideal for any client that needs a high level of durability and/or a high level of customization. The process of vacuum forming is versatile and allows us nearly complete freedom in terms of case size and configuration. Additionally, our cases are much more lightweight than fabricated wood cases or roto-molded cases, which can greatly reduce your shipping costs. Our design team will help you determine if our vacuum-formed cases are the most appropriate options for your requirements. If not, we will help you find another source.

 

Contact Us Today

Whether you need just one custom plastic carrying case with a handle or you need a whole fleet of them, we can help. To get started with a custom case project, just click on the Contact Us tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. You also can contact us by phone at (866) 235-2472 or email at info@bel-air-cases.com.

5 Facts About Our Made-To-Order Carrying Cases

At Bel-Air Cases, we believe a carrying case should be attractive, functional and durable, and that just about every product deserves a custom-made case. Our custom carrying cases are built around your equipment providing the ultimate level of protection. Before you get started with a custom case project, take a few minutes to learn a bit about our cases and our philosophy.

 

  1. Not Everyone Needs A Custom Carrying Case

It might sound strange for a custom case manufacturer to admit that not everyone needs a custom carrying case, but they aren’t the best option for everyone. For instance, if you just need one carry case and the items you are toting aren’t particularly delicate or expensive and don’t need to be displayed for clients, then you probably don’t need one of our carrying cases and an off-the-shelf case might be a better fit. While we are happy to make custom cases for any client, but we’ll be honest with you if our carrying cases probably aren’t the best or most cost-effective option.

 

However, our made-to-order cases are the best option for many applications. If you need a durable and attractive case for a sales kit or perhaps some type of delicate equipment, our carrying cases can be ideal. We design carrying cases for sales and demo kits, medical kits, electronic items, instruments, lighting equipment or anything else you need to tote. Our sleek carrying cases are especially popular as OEM cases, as we can create dozens or hundreds of custom carrying cases and personalize each case with a molded-in logo or custom decal.

 

  1. We Offer Two “Levels” Of Carrying Cases

If you need a sleek, attractive case but don’t intend on using the case as luggage, our medium-duty carrying cases can be the best fit. These medium-duty cases might be fine occasionally transported as luggage, but they aren’t designed to handle the rigors of frequent transport.

 

Our heavy-duty carrying cases are the ideal option if you need to ship items frequently as cargo or as luggage. These heavy-duty cases also are ideal for heavier items, weighing between 30 to 40 pounds or for delicate items. If you have larger or heavier items, we recommend that you opt for one of our custom shipping cases. Keep in mind, we can add wheels and telescoping handles to our shipping cases (and our carrying cases) to make it easier for you to tote it through a busy airport, a trade show floor or anywhere else you need to take it.

 

  1. We Use Tough, Durable Materials

We’ve been building custom carrying cases and shipping cases for more than 50 years. In fact, we were the original producers of vacuum-formed equipment cases. We use tough high-density polyethylene to form the shells of all of our plastic cases. High-density polyethylene is lightweight, impact-resistant and moisture-resistant. The two halves of your case will be held together with a tough, but lightweight aluminum valance.

 

Our quality materials and high construction standards are precisely the reason why Bel-Air Cases don’t come with a written case warranty. We’ve never needed a warranty because we stand by our cases throughout their lifetime. If a component breaks, we’ll fix it. We know the transit industry is rough on packages. So, while we cannot guarantee that your cases will never be damaged, we can assure you that we will always repair the damages for as long as you own the case.

 

Keep in mind, again, that our medium-duty carrying cases are not meant to be transported as luggage or cargo. If you do need to frequently ship your cases, it’s best to opt for the heavy-duty carrying case or our shipping cases, which are built with ATA specifications in mind.

 

  1. We Create Quality Custom Foam Inserts

Too often, case manufacturers simply stick a slab of pick and pluck foam into a case and hand it off to their client. To begin with, pick and pluck foam generally is low quality and we don’t believe that customers should pay for a custom carrying case and then have to pick and cut away at the foam in order to make cavities to fit their equipment. Not only does this look unattractive, but it’s also not very protective and this type of foam tends to break down quickly.

 

With a Bel-Air carrying case, we will design a custom foam insert specifically for whatever you intend to place inside the case. We design custom foam cavities to fit perfectly around your items. Whether you want custom hand-cut or die-cut foam interiors or simply a foam liner for your case, we will use quality foam materials that protect your items from impact and vibrations.

 

  1. We Offer Many Custom Features

While a sleek black or silver carrying case can be a perfect option for many clients, if you want a bit more color, we offer several additional stock colors including white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. With a minimum purchase, we also may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching.

 

We also can add a variety of graphics and logos, including a molded-in logo, engraved plates or custom decals. These options can provide you with a truly professional touch and are a perfect option if you wish to use our cases either as OEM cases or sales kits, but opting for colorful cases with custom decals or logos can make it easier for your team to identify cases at the airport or perhaps in a large convention center, etc.

 

Of course, we also offer a variety of hinges, handles, latches and locks and we can add telescoping handles and wheels to your carrying cases, as well. All of these hardware options are crafted from the highest quality materials which ensure a nice long life for your case. You can browse through our interior options at https://www.bel-air-cases.com/case-interior-options/.

 

Bel-Air carrying cases are available in hundreds of sizes and almost limitless configurations. Whether you need just one custom carrying case or hundreds, the team at Bel-Air is equal to the task. To get started with a carrying case project (or to order custom shipping cases or expo cases), simply head to our homepage and click on the blue Request a Custom Quote tab and fill out our quick contact form.

The ATA Case: Rugged Custom ATA Shipping Cases

If you need to ship delicate or expensive items, your shipping cases should be able to withstand anything that might occur during air transport. With an ATA case, your items should be protected if the case is jostled, dropped or banged against other cases. At Bel-Air Cases, we design custom shipping cases that can handle the rigors of all types of transportation.

What Is an ATA Case?

ATA stands for the Airport Transportation Association, and it was a group formed in the 1930s when the airline industry was just getting started. This group included the first commercial airline carriers and their goal was to promote the airline industry as well as setting certain standards.

In regards to shipping cases or luggage, ATA standards included a section known as ATA Spec 300, and this set forth certain regulations or specifications that cases would have to meet to meet the ATA’s standards. For instance, in order to comply with specifications, an ATA case would have to be able to handle at least 100 shipments without damaging the contents of the case. Additionally, cases needed to have recessed handles.

When you purchase ATA cases, this doesn’t necessarily mean it was approved by the ATA (which now is known as Airlines 4 America); it simply means that the case manufacturer created the case to meet these exacting standards.

Bel-Air Cases & ATA Specifications

At Bel-Air Cases, we specialize in crafting a variety of case types to cater to different needs. If you’re in search of cases suitable for frequent shipping, our options are designed to meet ATA specifications. Our lineup includes heavy-duty carrying cases, expo cases, and heavy-duty shipping cases, all meticulously crafted to withstand the rigors of regular transportation. These cases are particularly well-suited for various applications, including those required for trade shows, ensuring your equipment is protected during transit to and from events.

If you want the ease of maneuverability that a carrying case provides, our heavy-duty carrying cases are formed on the tooling for our carry cases, but we use the same tough materials and components used on our heavy-duty shipping cases.

Our shipping cases are built to handle just about any type of transport you can imagine. We’ve built rugged cases for the military and the aerospace industry that meet ATA standards as well as many MIL specs. These cases can handle the abuse of transportation, as well as handling temperature extremes and locking out moisture.

If you need a case capable of handling a voyage to Mars or a case that can withstand a downpour in a Brazilian jungle or a perhaps journey along one of the world’s bumpiest roads, our shipping cases are up to the challenge.

On the flip side, if you don’t need quite that much protection, we offer both light-duty and medium-duty carrying case options. These two cases are not meant to be transported as freight and luggage, so they do not meet all ATA specifications.

They are highly protective and durable, but they aren’t meant to be shipped frequently. Most of our customers will use the light-duty and medium-duty carrying cases to transport equipment that might be placed in a car trunk or backseat. These often are used to hold sales kits, diagnostic equipment or perhaps used as OEM cases. They are lightweight, protective and attractive, but not suitable as luggage unless you place it in an overhead bin.

ATA Cases & Custom Foam Interiors

While the exterior of an ATA case needs to be able to handle transport, we believe that quality shipping and storage cases also need high-quality custom foam interiors. A custom foam interior cushions every centimeter of your equipment, protecting it from vibrations and jostling.

Too many case manufacturers neglect this area of production and simply hand over a case with a chunk of pick and pluck foam (also known as diced foam). This is a cheap type of foam that tends to break down quickly, and the customer is also forced to create cavities for their equipment by plucking or cutting away bits of foam.

We believe that our customers deserve better than pick and pluck foam, so when we design and produce a custom ATA case, we customize the interior foam as well as the exterior. We build your entire case around whatever will be placed inside – lighting equipment, diagnostic equipment, camera & film equipment, military items, Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Fender Strat, medical equipment or whatever you need to transport.

Custom Options

With our custom thermoforming capabilities, we can tailor an ATA case to meet your specific size requirements, incorporating any desired foam interior. But, we have many other custom options. For example, if you’re in need of shipping cases equipped with wheels and handles (which are likely essential for convenient transportation), we offer a diverse range of wheel options to choose from.

We also can provide you with a myriad of different latches, locks and handle options, including cases with telescoping handles. No matter what you want, we can probably make it happen.

Our carry cases and custom shipping cases are available in two standard colors – silver and black, but we do have several additional stock colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. With a specific minimum order, we also may be able to provide you with color matching. We also can create cases with a molded-in logo or personalize your case with engraved plates or custom decals.

If you need an ATA case, ATA shipping case or a custom carrying case, contact the team at Bel-Air Cases at any time. We’ve been manufacturing quality custom cases for more than 50 years, and can create whatever you need, whether it’s just one custom case or 1,000.

The Bel-Air Carry Case: 9 Facts About Our Custom Cases

It’s been many decades since the first Bel-Air carry case rolled off the production line. During the years, the world has seen a lot of changes, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing customers with the highest quality cases available. Take a look at our history and some facts about what we can provide our customers.

 

  1. We Were The First In Our Class

Back in the 1960s, the plastics industry was really starting to boom. Plastics had been around in one form or another for many years, but mass production of plastic items really took off during this era and we were on the cutting edge of the industry.

 

Our cases are built using a thermoforming process known as vacuum forming, and we were the first company to create equipment and carry cases using this method. To create cases, we take large sheets of plastic, heat them up, move them over a mold and use vacuum force to shape the plastic onto the mold. It’s a tad more complicated than that, but basically that is the process.

 

  1. Vacuum-Forming Is Highly Versatile

There are many reasons why chose to vacuum-form a carry case, but one of the biggest reasons is versatility. You can create almost any design imaginable with plastics, as they are so easy to mold. We can create custom carry cases and shipping cases in just about any size a customer might need. No other process lends itself so well to customization, and that means the customer truly gets what they want from their carry case.

 

  1. We Use Highly Durable Materials

Many different types of plastics can be used for vacuum-forming, but at Bel-Air Cases, we chose high-density polyethylene as our top material. Also known as HDPE, we chose this plastic because it is one of the most durable types of plastic. It’s strong, lightweight and highly-impact resistant, which is crucial for our heavy-duty shipping cases, which must withstand the rigors of transport.

 

  1. We Also Use Aluminum

When you order a carry case from Bel-Air Cases, it’s not 100% crafted using plastic materials. We use aluminum to create carry case and shipping case valances, and we chose this material because of its durability and lightweight. All of our materials were selected carefully to provide you with the most protection at the most affordable price.

 

  1. Carry Cases Are Used For Many Purposes

At Bel-Air Cases, we have several levels of cases. Our carry cases typically are used as OEM cases and also used for sales kits and even to hold diagnostic equipment. The carry cases are meant to be lightweight, protective and easy to tote. If you have heavier and more expensive items that often will be shipped, we highly recommend that you consider our shipping cases.

 

We also have custom expo cases, which are perfect for toting to trade shows and conventions, which we assume will occur again once we’ve made it through this pandemic. This can be a great time to order cases, so that you and your sales team or expo team are ready to go as soon as conventions and in-person sales really get going again.

 

  1. Our Cases Can Be Military-Strong

While a Bel-Air carry case isn’t meant to be transported at freight, we do build cases that meet ATA standards as well as military specifications. If you need a case that can handle a trip to the moon or a trek across the jungle, we can provide you with that case. Our light-duty and medium-duty carry cases are meant to hold and protect items that will mainly be transported in your car. The cases are ideal to tote equipment and items that won’t be shipped as freight or tossed into the luggage hold of an airplane. Our heavy-duty shipping cases, on the other hand, as well as our heavy-duty carry cases can handle the rigors of transport easily again and again.

 

  1. We Have Many Color Options

While our standard colors are black and grey, those aren’t your only options. We have several additional stock colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, olive and blue. With a specific minimum order, we can even provide you with color matching. This can be a great option if you want an OEM carry case. Each of your cases can be completely customized to fit your company’s style. We can even add custom decals, molded-in-logos and engraved plates to your case.

 

  1. Custom Foam Interiors Are Crucial

One issue we have with the case industry in general is the lack of attention placed on the interior of a carry case or shipping case. While the exterior components need to be tough and durable, the interior can be just as important. Many case manufacturers simply build your carry case and then hand it over with a chunk of diced foam, also known as pick and pluck foam.

 

This type of foam is cheap in quality, and the customer has to cut away at the foam in order to make cavities products or equipment. It doesn’t look particularly nice, but, more importantly, it doesn’t provide a high level of protection. At Bel-Air Cases, we never hand over a carry case without a custom foam interior. This can be as simple as a foam liner or it can be a highly customized foam interior with multiple cavities, interior doors, panels, shock mounts and other components.

 

We build the case and the foam interior around your products or equipment, so that every inch of what’s inside is well-protected. Our high-quality foam helps to absorb impact, which is crucial if you are shipping a case. Even if you opt for a light-duty carry case that won’t be shipped, our foam inserts provide an attractive way for you to display sales kits or whatever you place inside the case and protect it from any minor bumps that might occur.

 

  1. We Will Match You To The Ideal Case

Whether you need an equipment case, a carry case or a shipping case, we will find the best option to fit your needs. Our vacuum-formed cases have many advantages over other types of cases, but our cases aren’t always a perfect match. If we think you’d be better off with a different case, we will tell you and we can help you find another source for your case. High-pressure sales tactics have never been our thing, and we prefer matching customers with exactly what they need case-wise.

 

If you need a custom carry case, shipping case or expo case, the team at Bel-Air Cases is still here to provide you with durable, high-quality cases. Give us a call or fill out our custom quote form here and a member of our sales team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Case Foam: 5 Reasons Why Custom Foam Is Crucial

When you spend the time and money it takes to purchase custom hard plastic shipping cases, you expect a quality case inside and out. However, if the case manufacturer just dumps a cheap piece of case foam in your case, you definitely aren’t getting your money’s worth and here’s why.

 

  1. Case Foam Varies In Quality

You might think foam is just foam, right? The quality of foam varies, and many manufacturers will use what is known in the industry as “pick and pluck foam.” This type of foam is inexpensive and the quality is poor. Over time, it will break down and basically become useless in terms of protecting your equipment.

 

At Bel-Air Cases, we create custom foam inserts for all of our carrying cases and hard plastic shipping cases. We use the highest quality foam possible and create custom cavities to fit your equipment perfectly. You’ll never receive a case from us filled with cheap pick and pluck foam.

 

  1. Case Foam Is As Crucial As A Tough Exterior

Typically, people invest in custom hard plastic shipping cases because they need to protect expensive items and equipment during transport. We all know how tough the transportation industry can be on cases, which is why your case needs to be built from durable materials and designed to handle impacts.

 

However, the interior of the case is just as important. High-quality, custom case foam also absorbs impact and holds your equipment in place, so that bumping and jostling won’t affect the items in your case. When you use cheap foam, it doesn’t fully absorb these impacts and the cavities aren’t customized to your equipment so the items in the case get jostled about more than they would with a fully custom case.

 

  1. Cheap Case Foam Forces The Customer To Do The Work

When a case manufacturer hands off a case filled with a chunk of pick and pluck foam, the customer is forced to cut away at the foam to create cavities for their equipment. Why should the customer have to do the work? What if the customer cuts away too much foam?

 

We believe that if you are spending the money on custom hard plastic shipping cases, then you shouldn’t be forced to cut and pick away and create your own foam interior. Additionally, you end up throwing away a bunch of excess foam. Why should a customer have to pay for foam they are just going to toss out? This seems silly, and it’s a huge waste of money and materials.

 

  1. Cheap Case Foam Looks Cheap

At Bel-Air Cases, we take pride in creating custom carrying cases and hard plastic shipping cases that are attractive inside and out. If you want a truly professional case, custom case foam is crucial. Not only does it protect your equipment, it just looks more professional.

 

No matter how carefully you cut away at pick and pluck foam, the end result just looks sloppy. Over time, this foam will begin to break down, as well, which means your case interior will look less and less attractive over time. Our Bel-Air Cases are meant to last for years and years, and still look great as time passes, and that includes the interior.

 

  1. Custom Case Foam & Cheap Foam Cost About The Same

It might seem like opting for cheap case foam is highly cost-effective, but that’s just not true. We typically can produce hard plastic shipping cases with custom case foam for about the same cost as you’d pay for a case with cheap pick and pluck foam.

 

Cheap foam breaks down fairly quickly, and you’ll end up spending more money to replace the pick and pluck foam. Additionally, the cheap-quality foam doesn’t protect your items nearly as well as custom high-quality case foam, which means you may end up with damaged equipment that you must pay to repair or replace. In the long run, spending a few dollars more for a custom foam insert will save you money.

 

Our Custom Cases

At Bel-Air Cases, our made-to-order custom hard plastic shipping cases are designed using high-density polyethylene plastic. This material is ideal because of its high durability and light weight. It can take the abuse of transport without damaging your equipment, and the light weight helps reduce your shipping costs and makes it easier for customers to handle.

 

Each case we design can be entirely customized. In addition to a custom exterior size and custom case foam, we can customize the colors, handles, latches, wheels and more. We have a huge selection of custom features, and if you don’t see precisely what you need, we probably can find it. With Bel-Air Cases, it’s all about choice. We also can add in a molded in logo, custom decals or custom engraved plates to elevate the professional look of your case.

 

Our cases also meet ATA specifications and most MIL specifications. We have designed hard plastic shipping cases for aerospace space companies, as well as the military, so we know how to build cases that can handle just about any situation.

 

If you need custom carrying cases or hard plastic shipping cases with custom foam inserts, give us a call at any time. We can design cases for audio & video equipment, medical equipment, lighting equipment, military equipment, diagnostic equipment and just about anything else. We’ve been designing cases for more than 50 years, and we look forward to working with you on your case project, whether you need just one custom case, 500 cases or somewhere in between.

Equipment Cases With Wheels: Durable Custom Cases

While the transportation industry does a fine job moving cases from Point A to Point B, it’s not exactly known for being gentle with these cases. You’ve invested thousands of dollars in your equipment. Don’t you deserve equipment cases with wheels that can handle just about anything? We think so.

Whether you are tracking a Category 4 hurricane aboard a WP3D Orion or bumping along the train tracks from Yangon to Bagan in Myanmar or even blasting off to Mars in Elon Musk’s Starship, we want you to have a case that will protect your equipment in just about any imaginable circumstance.

There are plenty of companies out there selling off-the-shelf cases, and these are often fine for less expensive items or items that aren’t particularly delicate. But if you need to transport equipment frequently, it’s typically best to opt for custom equipment cases and skip the off-the-shelf options.

At Bel-Air Cases, we design equipment cases around your equipment. We’ve designed cases for just about every industry and type of equipment. Whether you are transporting diagnostic equipment, audio equipment, lighting equipment, electronics or something else, our first step is to study the equipment carefully and then design a case that meets your needs.

 

Which Case Do You Need?

We offer several different levels of equipment cases with wheels, and the type that you need depends upon how you will be transporting your cases.

Light & Medium Duty Carrying Cases – Our light-duty and medium-duty carrying cases are ideal for items that won’t be transported frequently as luggage or freight. With our light-duty cases, we typically recommend these for customers that will be toting their cases along in a car.

Our medium-duty cases can be transported occasionally as luggage, as they are a bit more durable, but if you need to transport items in a case frequently, it’s always best to opt for one of our heavy-duty cases. Light and medium-duty cases are ideal for lightweight items, sales kits, demo kits and OEM cases.

Heavy-Duty Carrying Cases – If you need something that can handle frequent shipment, either as luggage or cargo, a heavy-duty carrying case is probably your best bet. These cases can handle a bumpy airline ride, an off-road adventure or a quick trip up to the International Space Station. And, once you make it to your destination, the wheels and handles make it easier to move your case around a busy airport or perhaps the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Our heavy-duty carrying cases are built using the same materials and components that we use for our heavy-duty shipping cases. However, we form the cases on our tooling for carrying cases, which results in a highly durable case that is a little easier to maneuver in tight quarters.

Shipping Cases – If you have heavy or delicate items and need highly durable equipment cases with wheels that can withstand frequent transport, our shipping cases are built to meet ATA guidelines and many MIL specifications. We also can configure cases to meet most airline, military, government or aerospace specifications.

 

Custom Foam Interiors

In many cases, the custom foam interior that we design is just as important as the exterior of the case. Our cases are built to absorb impact, but the custom foam further protects your equipment from impact.  We never simply complete your equipment cases and pass them on to you with a chunk of foam.

This type of diced foam, also known as “pick and pluck” foam is a common issue in our industry, but while many case manufacturers use this type of cheap foam, it really does nothing to protect your equipment and tends to break down quickly. Even worse, the customer has to cut away or pluck away bits of foam to create custom cavities for their equipment.

At Bel-Air, our foam interiors are created from the highest quality materials and crafted to cushion every inch of your equipment. We can design a case with a basic foam liner, but we also are experts at foam fabrication and can create interiors with plastic dividers, interior doors, panel mounts, shock mounts and more.

 

The Wheels

We can’t really feel as though an article about equipment cases with wheels is complete unless we actually talk about the wheels. Our selection of hardware includes a large variety of wheel choices. For most cases, we can add wheels and a telescoping handle, which makes it as easy as possible to move your case from place to place. If you don’t see precisely what you want, we probably can get it for you. With Bel-Air Cases, it’s all about choice.

We’ve been crafting custom equipment cases with wheels for more than 50 years, and we have the experience necessary to craft any type of equipment case you might need. Whether you need just one Bel-Air Case or 400 or something in between, we can provide you with a durable, protective case that keeps your equipment safe.