Hi,
We've been evaluating some sample enclosures for a handheld device (all roughly the same size/shape just different types of materials). The device has a decent amount of "heft" to it -- light enough to be held comfortably in one hand (but not featherweight like, e.g., a phone). And, there's a significant number of dollars tied up in each one so it's not the sort of thing you want to be dropping often! :>
We opted for a textured finish on the plastic parts as this was "less slippery" and hid many of the superficial scratches that the device encounters during typical use.
But, the texture makes it easy for oils from handling to accumulate "in the cracks". So, the devices start to look pretty shabby *really* quickly!
The texture works against us when it comes to trying to clean up a unit that has accumulated crud -- you can't just "wipe it clean" like you would for a "smoother" finish. We've also learned that the temptation to use solvents to expedite the cleaning quickly mars the finish (depending on the plastic and choice of solvent, this either *just* takes the "sheen" off the plastic *or* actually can start to "dissolve" it!).
We're currently having a sample case milled from a block of aluminum to see how that fares (weight, appearance, etc.). But, this is probably not the way to go in the long run (even if it was cast). Or, we'd need a different approach to the "texture" issue (perhaps significantly modifying the case's shape to make it easier to hold "reliably")...
Does anyone have firsthand experience with the use of texture for these goals? And/or other materials that would be durable, "holdable" and cleanable?
Is there a group/forum better suited to these sorts of questions?
Thx!