Rugged Custom Shipping Cases With Wheels

While a shipping case is meant to withstand the rigors of transport, too often these cases are bulky, heavy and difficult to handle. Our heavy-duty shipping cases with wheels are the perfect option – lightweight and easy to maneuver yet tough enough to handle hundreds of trips by land, sea and air.

 

As you can see from the picture above, we have a large selection of case wheels. Adding wheels can be a great option for just about any case, and we also have a large selection of handles. This includes telescoping handles, which make it easy to maneuver your Bel-Air case through a crowded airport or train station or any other high-traffic area. If you don’t find the exact type or style of wheels or handles you want on our website, just let us know what you need, and we probably will be able to find a good source for your components.

 

Of course, we also offer many other custom options. If you would prefer a shipping case without wheels, we can provide you with different types of case feet. We also have a large selection of latches and locks and can design cases either with built-in rigid wheels or removable casters.

 

Naturally, we also offer an assortment of color options for your case. Our standard case colors are silver or black, but we have several additional stock colors including white, blue, green, olive, red and yellow. With a specific minimum order, we may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching. We also can create a molded-in logo for your case or custom decals or engraved plates.

 

These color and customization options add a professional flair to any shipping cases with wheels and make it easier for your team to identify shipping cases at the airport, on a trade show floor or anywhere else you need to take them.

 

Top Protection – Even In Extreme Conditions

We also can add humidity indicators and pressure relief valves to your custom case. Our team has designed custom cases for military and aerospace applications for many years, and these clients often need what is known as a controlled breather case. These cases have tight seals to lock out dust, humidity and moisture, but we add a pressure relief valve to ensure that allows some air intake while still locking out moisture. The pressure relief valve also ensures that the user can open the case easily even when exposed to fluctuations in temperature or altitude.

 

Off-The-Shelf Vs. Custom Shipping Cases

If you need to transport equipment as luggage or freight frequently, you have several options to consider. You can purchase an off-the-shelf shipping case or a custom shipping case. Off-the-shelf shipping cases can be a good option if you just need one case or the items you are transporting aren’t very expensive or delicate or if you need cases available right away.

 

Custom shipping cases with wheels are a better option if you need to transport anything particularly delicate or expensive (or both). Our shipping cases are built from scratch and designed around your equipment or products. While it takes a few weeks to build a Bel-Air Case, these cases are highly protective and meant to last for years and years. We have customers from the 1960s that still use their 50-year-old cases.

 

Of course, there are several different types of custom equipment cases. Our shipping cases with wheels are vacuum-formed from high-density polyethylene, which is a durable, lightweight, moisture-resistant and impact-resistant type of thermoform plastic.

 

Other options include roto-molded cases or injection-molded cases. These also use plastic shells, and while roto-molded cases are highly durable, they are very heavy and neither injection-molded or roto-molded cases are as customizable as our vacuum-formed shipping cases.

 

Fabricated cases, which are created out of laminated wood or composites, are available in just about any size or configuration you might need, but these also are quite heavy and tend to be more expensive than cases made from plastic. Still, if our vacuum-formed cases don’t seem like the right fit for your equipment, we will let you know and help you find another source.

 

Custom Foam Interiors

While the exterior of your shipping cases needs to be durable, the foam inside the case can be just as important. Too often, a case manufacturer focuses only on the exterior shell and just hands off a case with a chunk of diced foam. Then the customer has to cut away at the foam to create cavities for their equipment. These imprecise cavities won’t really protect your equipment and this type of foam tends to break down quickly and will need to be replaced.

 

We never hand off a case filled with cheap “pick and pluck foam,” instead we fabricate high-quality custom foam interiors for each case, built around your equipment. Our foam cushions every centimeter of your equipment and provides additional impact resistance and protects against damage from vibrations, as well.

 

Our design team can fabricate any type of foam interior that you might need, and we are experts at creating complex die-cuts, interior walls, shock mounts, panel mounts, windows, plastic dividers or whatever else you might need.

 

How To Get Started

If you need shipping cases with wheels, you can simply click on the Request a Quote tab on our homepage. First, provide us with contact information and then you have the option of filling out our Simple RFQ Form or the Complete RFQ form. Once you’ve completed the form, just click submit and one of our case specialists will begin working on your free quote. If you have questions, just click on the Contact Us tab and fill out our quick contact form or call us at (866) 235-2472.

Heavy-Duty Lighting Cases From Bel-Air Cases

Lighting equipment is both expensive and delicate, and if you need to transport any type of lighting or related equipment, you need lighting cases that are tough enough to handle rugged environments. At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing custom lighting cases for more than 50 years and can provide you with attractive, protective shipping cases that can handle the rigors of transportation.

 

Lighting Case Options

At Bel-Air Cases, we offer two options for equipment and lighting cases – you can choose between our carrying cases or our heavy-duty shipping cases. Our heavy-duty carry case might be a good match for smaller pieces of equipment, such as cameras, lenses, light meters and other smaller items.

 

For larger pieces of lighting equipment, our heavy-duty shipping cases are the best option, and we can add wheels and handles to any case to make them easier to maneuver. Our shipping cases also are built to stack neatly and efficiently, which makes it easier to store your equipment, and each shipping case includes molded bumpers and stacking lugs.

 

For cases smaller than 30”, we can add a telescoping handle and wheels, but for larger shipping cases, we usually recommend adding a 3” or 7” end handle as these cases already are long enough for easy and comfortable maneuvering. All of the hardware is created using durable materials such as stainless steel, and we use tough aluminum valances for each case.

 

The exterior shells of our equipment and lighting cases are vacuum-formed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE). We chose HDPE as our top material choice for several reasons. HDPE is a highly affordable plastic, but, more importantly, this is one of the most rugged, durable materials available. HDPE has high impact resistance and high moisture resistance, and our cases can handle temperature extremes and rugged conditions without affecting the equipment inside the case.

 

Furthermore, HDPE is an excellent option because it is extremely lightweight. Not only does this make it easier for the customer to carry or move their lighting cases, but it also can reduce your shipping costs. Other case types typically are formed using heavier materials, and it costs more to ship a heavy case. We also build each case around your equipment, so there’s no excess material. With HDPE, you can have a smaller, lighter case that is easier and less expensive to transport yet still highly protective.

 

Lighting & Equipment Cases With Foam

While the exterior of your lighting cases needs to be able to handle rugged environments, such as the cargo hold of a plane, we also focus on designing custom foam inserts for all of our equipment cases. Each case can include a custom foam insert that is built specifically for each piece of your lighting equipment. Our quality foam will cushion and protect your lighting equipment, camera equipment, audio-visual equipment or anything else you need to store and protect.

 

Custom foam is always a big part of any lighting case project, and we never simply hand off our cases with a chunk of diced foam. This is a cheap type of foam, also known and pick and pluck foam. This poor-quality foam doesn’t last as long as the durable polyethylene foam we use, and when customers receive this cheap diced foam, they are forced to cut or pick away at the foam to make cavities for their equipment.

 

We believe that if you are paying for custom lighting cases, this should include a custom foam interior. We can usually construct foam sets for around the same price you’d expect to pay for cases with foam slabs or diced foam, and our foam provides far greater protection for your delicate items.

 

Many Custom Options

While we can customize the size and configuration of your lighting cases, as well as the interior foam, we also have many other custom options available. We offer two standard colors for our plastic shipping cases – black and silver, but we also have additional stock colors, including red, orange, yellow, blue, green, olive and white. With a minimum order, we may be able to provide you with color matching or custom colors.

 

We also can personalize the shell of your equipment and lighting cases with a molded-in logo, custom engraved plates or custom decals. This adds a professional touch to your shipping cases and also makes them easier to identify at a busy airport or perhaps at a large event or trade show.

 

Contact Us Today!

While creating hard plastic cases for lighting, including LED lighting, is one of our areas of specialization, we can create heavy-duty shipping cases for just about any type of equipment. Through the years, we have built equipment for military and aerospace clients, as well as medical equipment cases, diagnostic equipment cases and even carry cases for sales kits and OEM cases.

 

If you have any questions about our custom lighting cases, you can contact us at (866) 235-2472 or click the Contact Us tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. If you are ready to make a purchase, simply click on the Request A Quote tab and provide us with some information about the type of shipping cases that you need us to manufacture.

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.

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.

Custom Shipping Cases For Equipment, Trade Shows & More

If you have expensive or fragile items that need to be shipped often as cargo, custom shipping cases are essential. At Bel-Air Cases, we can design just about any size of shipping case you might need for virtually any product. Here’s a quick look at the types of shipping cases we commonly design and produce.

 

Shipping Cases For Equipment

Throughout the last 50 or so years, we have designed and built shipping cases for a myriad of equipment types from a wide range of industries, including:

  • Aerospace Equipment
  • Military Equipment
  • Music, Film & Television (Lighting equipment, AV equipment, photography equipment, etc.)
  • Medical Equipment
  • Sales Kits & OEM Cases

 

ATA Shipping Cases

As manufactured, our heavy-duty shipping cases meet stringent ATA guidelines and many MIL specifications, so if you need ATA cases, we can help. Any shipping case can be designed and built to meet almost any airline, military, government or aerospace specifications. So, whether you need shipping cases for your next trip to Mars or shipping cases durable enough for transport as military cargo, just call us and let us know what you need.

 

Shipping Cases For Trade Shows

While our traditional shipping cases can be a great option if you need to tote items such as computer equipment, audio-video equipment or lighting equipment to a trade show, we also offer unique custom expo cases that are designed with your trade show materials in mind. These trade show cases can handle transport with ease but are able to hold oddly shaped or sized items, such as banners, graphics, art and other types of trade show displays.

 

Need Shipping Cases With Wheels?

While our cases are much more lightweight than many other types of cases, what goes inside is often fairly heavy, and shipping cases with wheels make it easy to move your case through a crowded airport or trade show floor or wherever you need to go. We also offer an assortment of handles, including telescoping handles.

 

Whether your main concerns are appearance, function or cost, we can find hardware options that suit your needs. In addition to customizing your shipping cases with wheels and handles, you also can customize the hinges, latches and feet. If you want to add locks or padlocks, that also is an option we can provide.

 

Additionally, we offer many other custom options. For instance, we offer silver and black as our standard case colors, but we can form your shipping cases using our optional stock colors which include white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue. With a minimum purchase, we may be able to provide color matching or custom colors. We also can add a molded-in logo, engraved plates or custom decals to your shipping cases and expo cases.

 

Shipping Cases With Foam

While the exteriors of our shipping cases are built to handle the jostling, bumping and banging associated with transportation, the interior of our cases can be just as important. We design fully custom foam inserts for all of our shipping cases. Whether you just need a basic foam liner or a custom die-cut insert with multiple cavities, interior doors, panel mounts or other features, we can make it as simple or as complex as you need.

 

We never simply hand off an empty case with a chunk of diced foam, which, unfortunately, is a common practice in the case industry. This type of foam, also known and “pick and pluck foam” is not only low in quality, but it also forces the case owner to snip away or pluck away foam to create cavities for their equipment. The result tends to be a mess and there tends to be a bunch of foam left over that you just throw away.

 

How We Build Our Shipping Cases

Our shipping cases are vacuum-formed using high-density polyethylene. We chose this material for a variety of reasons. The transportation industry is tough on cases and luggage, and this material can handle the rigors associated with transport on planes, ships, trains or in the back of a truck bouncing along a dirt road in the middle of a remote jungle.

 

While polyethylene is highly impact-resistant, we also design our heavy-duty shipping cases with molded corner bumpers, which help protect the delicate and fragile items in the case. Additionally, the polyethylene that we use is moisture-resistant, which protects your equipment from humidity or even a torrential downpour. Our cases can handle temperature extremes, which is why they are a popular option with our military and aerospace clients.

 

The materials we use, including the polyethylene for our cases and the heavy-duty aluminum valances and steel hinges, are tough and durable, but also lightweight. This makes the cases more maneuverable but also can reduce shipping costs as weight is usually a factor when determining the price of transport.

 

Custom Vs. Stock Cases

All of our shipping cases are “made-to-order,” which means we don’t have any cases completely built, in-stock and ready to ship. That said, we have more than 50 standard shipping case configurations in our design library. Keep in mind, if you don’t find what you need within that case library, we can create a new size just for you, although that will increase production time by several weeks.

 

Additionally, if we think your equipment or items would be better suited to an off-the-shelf case or another type of case entirely, we will be upfront and honest about it. In some cases, our vacuum-formed cases aren’t the best fit for your needs and budget, although, with vacuum forming, we can provide you with a level of durability and customization that few other case types provide.

 

At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing custom shipping cases for more than 50 years, and we can design any type of shipping case or expo case that you might need. To get started with a shipping case project, click on the Contact Us tab on our homepage, fill out our quick contact form and a representative will be in touch shortly. You also can call us at (866) 235-2472 or send an email at info@bel-air-cases.com.

The Bel-Air Plastic Case With Foam

At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing and producing custom carrying cases and custom shipping cases for more than 50 years, but when we talk about customization, we don’t just mean the size and shape of the case, but also the foam interior. A Bel-Air plastic case with foam is built to precisely carry and protect all of your precious items.

 

Why Custom Foam?

Many custom case makers will design your case and hand it over to you with a chunk of diced foam inside. This also is known as pick and pluck foam, and it’s a low-quality foam that we would never give to our customers. If you are paying for a custom-made plastic case with foam, we believe that the interior foam also needs to be completely customized.

 

With pick and pluck foam, you force the customer to snip away at the foam to create cavities to hold their items. These cavities won’t be a perfect fit for the items, which means they aren’t fully protected.

 

Here’s an example of why pick and pluck foam just isn’t good enough. The other day whilst hollowing out a loaf of bread to create a soup bowl, it became clear that this was a good example of why cheap foam is a bad idea. Although carefully cutting with a knife to hollow out the bread, the end result was uneven and imperfect, and while it was fine for holding soup, it would have been completely inadequate for something delicate or fragile.

 

Pick and pluck foam is just like that loaf of bread. It’s not easy to cut or trim away to make a perfect cavity and this type of cheap foam breaks down very quickly. Additionally, you end up throwing away a good portion of the foam. Why should you pay for case foam that you aren’t even going to use?

 

Aside from the poor quality and forcing your clients to do their own picking and plucking, we feel that simply passing off a case with a chunk of diced foam is lazy. If you are paying a premium for a custom case and ending up with pick and pluck foam, what does this say about the quality of the case? It requires zero effort to just hand you a chunk of foam, so we worry that this indolence might extend into the design and production of your case, as well.

 

Our Custom Foam Interiors

In some cases, our foam interiors are quite simple. If you aren’t quite sure what type of items will be placed into your case, you might be fine with a custom foam liner. These liners will fit the interior of your case precisely and we use the highest quality foam. This foam will provide extra impact resistance during transport and help keep your items as safe as possible.

 

However, if you need a plastic case with foam and you know precisely what will be toted inside, we can create any type of custom foam interior you might need. We can hand-cut or die-cut cavities in any shape or side. We also are experts at fabricating interior walls, plastic dividers, interior doors, windows, panel mounts and shock mounts. As you can see from the pictures above, your foam interior can be simple or as complicated as you might need.

 

Through the years, we’ve designed equipment cases with foam for a wide variety of products. This includes equipment for the military and the aerospace industry, which obviously requires a high level of durability. We also create cases for lighting equipment, video equipment, camera equipment, medical equipment and many other delicate and expensive items.

 

Which Plastic Case Is Right For You?

At Bel-Air Cases, we produce cases in three categories – carrying cases, shipping cases and expo cases. All of our cases are built using tough, impact-resistant plastic shells with aluminum valances. The plastic we use (high-density polyethylene), and the aluminum valances keep the weight down without reducing the impact resistance of your case.

 

The plastic we use is not only durable and impact-resistant, but it also keeps out moisture and can handle extreme temperatures. You can trek through a hot rainforest in the middle of a downpour or traverse the tundra on a dog sled with your Bel-Air Case and the contents will remain safe from the elements. Whether you are attending a trade show in New York, shooting a movie on location in the Sahara Desert or planning a trip to Mars, our heavy-duty cases are equal to the task.

 

When it comes to carrying cases, we offer medium-duty and heavy-duty carrying cases. These carry cases often are used for sales kits and as OEM cases. The medium-duty carrying cases are very lightweight and designed for toting in the backseat or trunk of a car and can be transported occasionally as luggage although if you are shipping this case, we do recommend boxing it first.

 

If you need a lightweight carrying case that can be transported frequently as luggage or cargo, we recommend you opt for our heavy-duty carrying cases. These are ideal for delicate items or heavy items up to about 40 pounds. They are easy to tote and maneuver in crowded places, yet still provide a high level of protection.

 

If you need an ATA case or a shipping case that will be shipped often as cargo or luggage, our heavy-duty shipping cases are a perfect match. We build these tough cases with ATA standards in mind, and they can be shipped again and again with no harm to the items stored inside.

 

These cases are ideal for shipping heavier items (over 40 pounds), as well as delicate or valuable items such as computers, commercial tooling, video equipment, medical equipment and even items such as motorcycle engines.

 

Our expo cases are created with trade shows in mind. These cases are designed to hold odd-sized items, such as graphic materials, trade show displays, banners, art and other objects that don’t fit into our regular style cases.

 

Of course, all three styles of Bel-Air Cases can include custom foam inserts. But we also offer many other custom features. You can add many different styles of wheels, handles, latches and locks and you can customize the look of your plastic case with foam.

 

Black and silver are our standard colors, but we have several additional stock colors including white, blue, olive, green, yellow, orange and red. With a specific minimum purchase, custom colors and color matching may be available. We also can add molded-in logos to your cases or add engraved plates or custom decals.

 

If you need a plastic case with foam (or several) and want to get started with a case project, just head to our homepage and click on the Request A Custom Quote tab and fill out our quick contact form. A sales representative will be in touch as soon as possible with a quote for your custom case project.

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.