The Bel-Air Plastic Case With Foam: Lifetime Protection
Can a plastic case with foam survive a journey across the harshest terrain on Earth? What about a trek to the International Space Station or even Mars? While you might not need a case that can be launched into space, at Bel-Air Cases, our custom shipping cases can handle the most arduous of journeys with ease, protecting your equipment from the bumps and bustle of transport.
Is A Custom Case Right For You?
For less expensive, non-fragile items, an off-the-shelf case can be a cost-effective solution. However, if you have expensive and/or delicate equipment, a made-to-order case can be a much more affordable option than replacing or repairing the equipment.
Our cases can be built to ATA standards and built to comply with most MIL specs. Whether you need an ATA case, a military case or simply a case that can protect your equipment on hundreds of trips as cargo, a Bel-Air plastic case with foam can be the best option to consider.
We design equipment cases for a wide range of industries including military and aerospace clients, as well as cases for lighting and audio-visual equipment, medical and diagnostic equipment, sales kits and much more. Throughout the last 50 years, we have designed cases for just about every item imaginable. If we believe that an off-the-shelf case or a different type of case is a better fit for your needs, we will let you know, but for expensive items, customization offers the highest level of protection.
Bel-Air Cases: Built With The Toughest Materials
When you hear the term “plastic case,” strength might not be the first attribute that springs to mind. However, at Bel-Air Cases, we use a high-molecular-weight polyethylene plastic, and this makes all the difference.
When a plastic has a high molecular weight, it means that the polymer chains in the material are longer, resulting in a greater mass per molecule. This characteristic significantly influences the physical properties and performance of the plastic. Here’s what high molecular weight means in practical terms:
Key Characteristics of High Molecular Weight Plastics
- Increased Strength and Durability – Plastics with high molecular weight typically have stronger intermolecular forces, making them more resistant to mechanical stress, abrasion, and impact.
- Improved Chemical and Heat Resistance – The longer chains are more resistant to chemical breakdown and can tolerate higher temperatures without deforming or losing their structural integrity.
- Higher Viscosity – High molecular weight plastics have a higher viscosity, making them thicker and more challenging to process during manufacturing. This can affect how they are molded or extruded but contributes to their enhanced strength and durability.
- Better Environmental Stress Crack Resistance – The longer chains help distribute mechanical stresses more evenly throughout the material, reducing the likelihood of cracks or fractures developing over time due to environmental exposure.
- Enhanced Wear Resistance – High molecular weight plastics tend to have excellent wear resistance, making them suitable for applications involving heavy friction or repetitive mechanical motions, or perhaps a bumpy ride in the cargo hold of a C-5 Galaxy.
While our plastic cases might boast a high “molecular” weight, the actual weight (in pounds) of each case is incredibly light. This makes it easier to move the cases from place to place and significantly may reduce your shipping costs.
Custom Interior Foam
If you’re here, you are interested in finding a durable plastic case with foam, and every Bel-Air Case includes a custom foam interior. We can create die cuts that cushion your equipment precisely, providing an extra layer of protection from bumps and vibrations. We also can customize the case to include interior walls and windows, panel mounts, shock mounts and more.
Too often, cases are presented to clients filled with a chunk of cheap pick-and-pluck foam. At Bel-Air, we believe if you are paying for a made-to-order case, it should include a high-quality custom foam interior. Pick-and-pluck foam, or diced foam, is cheap and requires the customer to pick away at the foam to create sections to hold their equipment.
In fact, if a case manufacturer offers a custom case with cheap diced foam, we recommend that you find another supplier as this move indicates that quality is not high up on the company’s list of priorities.
Additional Custom Options
Virtually every aspect of a Bel-Air Case can be customized. For instance, we offer two standard colors – black and silver. However, if you’d like to mix it up a little, we also offer optional stock colors including white, yellow, orange, red, olive, green and blue.
Opting for one of these distinct colors can be an excellent option if you are ordering a fleet of cases, as this makes them easier to identify and organize. We also can add a molded-in logo, custom decals or engraved plates to your heavy duty cases.
We also offer a plethora of hardware options. Whether you need shipping cases with wheels or a plastic carrying case with a handle, we offer a variety of wheel options, handles, latches, locks and case feet. Moreover, if you don’t see the exact hardware items you want among our selections, we likely can source whatever you need.
What About The Warranty?
We actually have no written case warranty, but, honestly, it’s because we’ve never needed one. We stand by our cases throughout their lifetime. If a component breaks, send it to us and we will fix it. We usually can repair most case defects for no charge.
The reality is that the transit industry is tough on luggage, cases and freight. While we cannot guarantee that your cases will never be damaged, we can assure you that we will repair the damages for as long as you own the case.
Order Custom Cases Today
At Bel-Air, we offer three types of cases – carrying cases, shipping cases and trade show cases. Our heavy-duty carrying cases as well as all of our trade show and shipping cases, are built to handle frequent trips as cargo. We do offer medium-duty carrying cases, as well, but these are typically best as sales and demo kits or to store items that will not be shipped frequently as cargo.
To purchase a custom plastic case with foam (or a fleet of cases), simply click on the Request a Quote tab on our homepage and fill out our contact form. A member of our team will be in touch as quickly as possible to gather details about your custom case project and to provide you with a free cost quote for our services.
The Bel-Air Hard Case With Foam: Protect Your Equipment
While a heavy duty shipping case can shield your expensive equipment from the bumps and jostles typical of the transportation industry, custom interior foam provides an important additional layer of protection. A Bel-Air hard case with foam is one of the best ways to ensure that your equipment stays safe on any type of journey and even in extreme conditions.
The Truth About Case Foam
In the world of plastic case manufacturing, foam is a controversial topic. Too often, case manufacturers build shipping cases and carrying cases that contain a cheap chunk of diced foam, also known as pick-and-pluck foam.
This foam is not designed specifically to protect your equipment. Instead, you as the customer are forced to cut away at the foam to create cavities for your items. The result is just what you’d expect. It’s a big mess and does a poor job of protecting your equipment.
When you order a Bel-Air plastic case with foam, we include a fully customized foam insert. We never simply hand off a case with cheap diced foam. If you are paying a premium for custom transport cases or shipping cases, we believe this should include a custom foam interior.
Our foam interiors can be as simple as a high-quality foam liner or as complex as needed. We are experts at fabricating foam interiors and in addition to die cuts that fit your equipment perfectly, we can create interior doors, windows, panel mounts, shock mounts and plastic dividers.
A Bel-Air hard case with foam often will be used as OEM cases or as sales kits and demo kits, so crafting an attractive interior is crucial. Our foam interiors will display your items to their best advantage.
But, of course, protection is the ultimate goal with case foam, and we use only the highest quality foam for each of our cases. Our foam will cushion your equipment, limit the impact of vibrations and essentially act as an additional layer of security. Whether you need to ship your cases frequently as freight or airplane cargo or you need a case durable enough to handle the extremes of military or aerospace uses, we are equal to the task.
Which Case Type Is Right For You?
Throughout the case industry, you have many options to consider including vacuum-formed cases, roto-molded cases, injection-molded cases, aluminum cases, fabricated wood cases and blow-molded cases.
At Bel-Air Cases, we design custom vacuum-formed plastic cases built from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and we were the first company to use vacuum forming for custom cases. We chose this material for our plastic case exteriors because it’s durable, impact-resistant, moisture-resistant, chemical-resistant and capable of handling temperature extremes.
Additionally, HDPE is extremely lightweight, which improves maneuverability and reduces shipping and transport costs. HPDE also offers an ultimate level of customization.
Other case types typically don’t offer the same level of customization or cost-efficiency. Fabricated cases, often used as road cases, can be highly customized, but they tend to be more expensive and are far heavier than our HDPE cases. However, when we discuss your case needs during our initial consult, if we feel that a different type of case will be the best fit for your needs, we will let you know.
With a Bel-Air plastic case with foam, you have three options. We offer a plastic carrying case, shipping cases and trade show cases. Our carrying cases are available in medium-duty and heavy-duty options. The medium-duty cases are ideal as OEM cases, sales or demo kits, but aren’t meant to be shipped frequently as cargo. If you need a highly maneuverable case that can be shipped or transported frequently, we recommend a heavy duty carrying case instead.
Custom Options
At Bel-Air, we can customize virtually any aspect of your shipping cases. In addition to customizing the size and configuration of your case and our quality custom foam interiors, we can customize the exterior, as well.
Our standard case colors are black and silver, but we do offer several additional stock colors – red, yellow, orange, blue, green, olive and white. Selecting one of these colors can add a truly professional touch to your cases. We also can add a molded-in logo or perhaps add engraved plates or custom decals to your case. For larger orders, we may even be able to provide you with color matching or custom colors.
We also can customize the hardware on your case. Whether you need a shipping case with wheels or a plastic carrying case with a handle, we can make it happen. We also offer an assortment of latches, locks, hinges and case feet. If you don’t see the specific item you want in our collection, we likely can find a source for whatever case components you need.
Rugged Cases For Every Industry
At Bel-Air, we’ve designed heavy-duty cases with custom foam interiors for thousands of unique items from a myriad of industries. Our cases are ideal for many uses, including
- Instrument Cases
- Audio-Visual Equipment
- Cameras & Photography Gear
- Lighting Equipment
- Military Gear (we design military cases that meet most MIL specs)
- Aerospace Components & Equipment
- Medical Equipment
- Demo Kits & Sales Kits
- Testing & Measurement Equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters & more)
- Industrial Tools
- Scientific Instruments (spectrometers, microscopes & more)
- Optical Devices
Need Cases? Contact Bel-Air Today!
Whether you need one hard case with foam or dozens of custom shipping cases or carry cases, the team at Bel-Air Cases is here to help. To get started with a case project, simply head to the Request A Quote tab and fill out our contact form. A member of our sales team will be in touch as soon as possible to gather details and provide you with a free cost quote for our services.
Shipping Cases: 5 Reasons To Buy A Bel-Air Case
When it comes to protecting your valuable equipment during transit, not all shipping cases are created equal. Bel-Air Cases have set the standard for durability, reliability, and customizability in the world of heavy-duty plastic shipping cases for equipment.
Whether you’re shipping delicate instruments across the country or rugged equipment to remote job sites, Bel-Air offers unmatched protection designed to withstand the toughest conditions. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 reasons why investing in a Bel-Air case is the best decision you can make for safeguarding your equipment.
1. Custom Equipment Cases Offer Better Protection
An off-the-shelf case often can be a good option for inexpensive items that are easy to replace. However, if you have expensive equipment, you need shipping and transport cases that can handle the bumps and bruises typical of transport, a custom case is typically a much better option.
Our custom shipping cases for equipment are built around whatever you need to place inside the case. We can design just about any case configuration you might need. Just give us the specs for your equipment and we will design a case that meets all of your needs.
At Bel-Air, we also build cases to ATA standards, so if you’ve been searching for a custom ATA case, we can help. Our cases meet ATA standards, and we can design cases to meet most MIL specs. Through the years, we have designed many cases for military and aerospace clients and our design and production teams have extensive experience building cases to meet these exacting specifications.
2. Custom Interior Foam Cushions Your Equipment
While the exteriors of our heavy duty shipping cases are built to handle just about any extreme, our quality interior foam adds an extra layer of insurance, absorbing impacts and cushioning every inch of your equipment.
Unfortunately, many case manufacturers will sell cases that include a cheap chunk of diced foam, but this forces the customer to create cavities for their equipment and these cavities likely won’t provide an ultimate layer of protection. At Bel-Air Cases, this type of mediocrity is just not an option.
Instead, we design custom foam inserts for each of our shipping cases and, as with our case exteriors, we build this foam interior around your equipment, so that every component is cushioned and protected. Additionally, we use the highest quality foam available, which means the interior compartments will last for many years to come.
Cheap pick-and-pluck foam, which is common with off-the-shelf cases (and sometimes even custom cases) tends to break down quickly and will need to be replaced every couple of years. To be honest, if you find a custom case manufacturer that opts for cheap diced foam, we recommend finding another manufacturer. If you are paying for a custom plastic case with foam, you should expect to have the highest quality custom foam as a part of that purchase price.
3. We Use The Highest-Quality Case Materials
Did you know that Bel-Air Cases was the first company to produce vacuum-formed equipment cases? Back in those days (the 1960s), the plastics industry was booming and the main material we use, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was a relatively new plastic, invented in the 1950s by chemists at Philips Petroleum.
Vacuum-forming allows us to create HDPE shells of virtually any size, and HDPE is the perfect choice for equipment cases for a variety of reasons. For instance, HDPE is known for its exceptional level of durability as well as its impact resistance. HDPE also is weatherproof and resistant to temperature extremes as well as UV rays and moisture as well as many chemicals and solvents.
4. Plastic Cases Are Lightweight & Easy To Maneuver
HDPE has a high strength-to-weight ratio. So, while HDPE is a very strong material, it’s also extremely lightweight. This makes it easier for consumers to carry our shipping cases and carrying cases but also can reduce your shipping and freight costs significantly.
5. Stylish Designs & Many Custom Features
While we can customize the size for our shipping cases, that’s just one facet of customization we can deliver. We also have a huge selection of locks, latches, feet and hinges. Want equipment cases with wheels? No problem. Need a shipping case or a plastic carrying case with a handle? Done.
We also can add molded-in logos to any Bel-Air, and this can add an extra level of professionalism to your case. Additionally, we can add engraved plates or custom decals to any case. Case colors also can be customized. Silver and black are our standard colors, but we have several additional stock colors – blue, green, olive, white, red, yellow and orange.
As stated above, we also have the ability to fully customize the interior foam. We can provide you with custom die cuts, interior doors, windows, panel mounts, shock mounts, dividers and more all for around the same price you’d expect to pay for cases filled with foam slabs.
Order Shipping Cases Today!
At Bel-Air Cases, we are happy to design a single custom shipping case or a whole fleet of shipping cases, depending on your needs. For more than 50 years, we’ve been making quality, American-made shipping cases for equipment, and our team can design whatever you might need. To get started, just click on the Request a Quote tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form and a member of our team will compile your information and create a free custom cost quote for our services.
The Bel-Air Custom Road Case: Create Your Perfect Case
A custom road case can be your best friend on any long journey, protecting your equipment from the typical bumps and bruises of transport. At Bel-Air Cases, we have more than 50 years of expertise packed into every custom case we build, and through the years, we’ve built cases for just about any type of equipment you can imagine.
Our custom cases are built to protect delicate and expensive items. Bel-Air cases are ideal for music equipment, lighting equipment, electronics, camera equipment and anything else you might need to transport for your next event or production.
We offer three types of cases, all of which can be fully customized. These include medium-duty and heavy-duty carrying cases, as well as shipping cases and trade show cases. The heavy-duty carrying cases, shipping cases and trade show cases are all built to withstand frequent shipment as cargo or freight. The shipping cases are the perfect option for anyone needing a versatile and durable road case, and here’s a look at what you can expect from a Bel-Air case.
1. Versatile & Durable Case Materials
Our custom shipping cases are built for the harsh realities of transport. Our cases are built to meet or exceed ATA standards and can even be built to match many MIL specs. Our heavy-duty shipping cases can handle hundreds of flights with ease, protecting your delicate and expensive equipment.
We use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for the shells and quality aluminum for the valances for each equipment case we build. These materials were chosen for many reasons, and durability was definitely a huge factor. HDPE is not only highly impact-resistant but also able to handle temperature extremes and humidity as well as providing a high level of moisture resistance and chemical resistance.
2. Lightweight & Easy-To-Maneuver
When you conjure up an image of a custom road case, you might think about a heavy wooden case and while those are common and highly durable, there’s no getting around the fact that they weigh a ton, even when empty and that can greatly increase your transportation costs.
On the other hand, Bel-Air cases are extremely lightweight, which makes transport easier and much less expensive. We also can add wheels and handles to most shipping cases, which makes it even easier to navigate your bulky case through a crowded airport or a trade show floor, a concert venue or wherever you need to go.
3. Many Custom Options
One reason why traditional wood custom road cases were so popular is that they offer a high level of flexibility in design, but HDPE offers a similarly high level of design customization. We can create durable transport cases in virtually any size configuration you might need, but that’s just one of the facets we can customize.
We offer a myriad of color options. Our standard colors are black and silver, but we have several optional stock colors including red, yellow, orange, white, blue, green and olive. In some cases, with larger orders, we may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching, and we also can design cases with molded-in logos or add custom decals or engraved plates.
Customizing the color or adding a logo or decal can be a great option if you plan to order several cases. This makes it easier to identify your case in a crowded setting, but also adds a professional touch to your cases and boosts your brand identity.
Additionally, we offer a huge selection of handles, latches, locks, wheels and case feet. If you don’t see quite what you want among our selection of hardware, we typically can find a source for whatever you need. With Bel-Air, it’s all about providing the customer with an ultimate level of customization and quality.
4. Quality Interior Foam
While the exterior of a custom road case needs to be able to handle the rigors of transport, we believe the interior should be equally protective. To often, though, when you purchase custom equipment cases with foam inside, the manufacturers hand off the case with a chunk of cheap pick-and-pluck foam. Not only is this foam of low quality, but it forces the customer to cut away at the foam to make cavities for their equipment.
At Bel-Air Cases, our cases always include a high-quality foam interior. We can provide you with a basic foam liner, but we also are experts at fabricating interior case designs. Whether you need die cuts to cushion and protect your equipment or you also need panel mounts, shock mounts, interior doors, interior windows or other custom interior design features, we can provide you with whatever you need.
Order Custom Cases Now
To get started on your custom road case order, simply head to the Contact Us tab and fill our quick contact form. You also can select the Request a Quote tab and provide us with some details about your case needs, and a member of our sales team will put together a free cost quote for our services. We are proud to be American-owned and operated, and all of our cases are produced at our manufacturing facility in Ontario, California.
Padded Equipment Cases: Why Custom Foam Is Crucial
Think about it – you wouldn’t wrap a diamond ring in a simple napkin and hope it survives a tumble down a flight of stairs, would you? Likewise, when it comes to securing your precious equipment during transport, the regular old pick-and-pluck foam in your case just won’t cut it. Enter the game-changer – Bel-Air padded equipment cases.
At Bel-Air Cases, all of our custom equipment cases include custom foam inserts. Unlike many manufacturers, which simply hand of cases with cheap diced foam, we create custom interiors that cushion and surround your equipment perfectly.
Quality custom case foam plays a crucial role in the protection and presentation of equipment, especially when compared to the standard, one-size-fits-all pick and pluck foam. Here are five compelling reasons why opting for quality custom foam inserts in equipment cases is the best choice:
- Tailored Protection
Custom foam inserts are designed to fit the exact dimensions of your equipment. This precision ensures that each piece of equipment is snugly secured, minimizing movement and the risk of damage during transport. Unlike pick-and-pluck foam, which can leave gaps and loose fits, custom foam offers a made-to-measure solution that significantly enhances protection.
- Enhanced Durability
High-quality custom foam inserts are made from materials that are engineered to withstand repeated use without degrading. These materials can absorb shocks and impact more effectively than the cheaper alternatives used in pick-and-pluck foam. Over time, custom foam maintains its shape and protective qualities, ensuring your equipment is consistently protected from wear and tear.
- Professional Appearance – Enhance Your Brand Image
First impressions matter and opening a case to reveal neatly arranged equipment in custom-cut foam can significantly elevate your brand’s professional image. Custom foam inserts can be designed not only to protect but also to present your equipment in the most appealing way possible. This is in stark contrast to pick-and-pluck foam, which can look makeshift and unprofessional, potentially undermining your brand’s reputation.
- Long-Term Cost Efficiency
While custom foam inserts might represent a higher initial investment compared to cheap diced foam, they offer superior protection, reducing the risk of equipment damage and the associated repair or replacement costs. Over time, the durability of custom foam means less frequent replacements, making it a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
- Versatility and Adaptability
Custom foam inserts can be designed with versatility in mind, accommodating various types of equipment within a single case if necessary. This adaptability extends to the incorporation of features such as cutouts for cables and accessories, ensuring that all components of your setup are accounted for and protected. Pick and pluck foam, with its limited customization options, cannot offer the same level of adaptability and may not adequately protect all elements of your equipment.
Our Equipment Case Options
When it comes to selecting equipment cases, we have three main case categories – carrying cases, shipping cases and trade show cases. If you need a lightweight case for sales kits, demo kits or items that won’t be transported as luggage or freight, a medium-duty carry case can be the perfect option.
If you want the flexibility and convenience of carry case but need a durable option suitable for shipping or as cargo, we recommend the heavy-duty carrying cases, which are built using the same materials as our heavy-duty shipping cases but formed on the tooling we use for carrying cases.
Our trade show cases with wheels are a fantastic option for storing oddly-sized graphics and other materials needed for conventions and trade shows. These are heavy-duty and easily can withstand the rigors of transport.
For heavier items or delicate items that need to be shipped frequently as freight or luggage, our custom shipping cases are the perfect fit. Built to meet or exceed ATA standards, these durable padded equipment cases can handle hundreds of trips via plane, train, automobile, boat or rocket ship (we design cases suitable for aerospace and military clients, and these tough cases can handle all types of environmental extremes).
But, let’s get back to that foam. At Bel-Air, our design team can provide you with any type of case foam you might need and we usually can construct foam sets for around the price you’d expect to pay for cases filled with foam slabs or diced foam. We can create custom die cuts to cushion each piece of your equipment perfectly as well as add features such as interior doors and walls, plastic dividers, windows, shock mounts and panel mounts.
Bel-Air Cases: Setting The Standard For 50+ Years
Don’t settle for the cheap, one-and-done foam that tempts with a lower sticker price but stops short of long-term protection. It may save you a few bucks now, but when it comes to the safety of sophisticated gear, cutting corners can lead to a world of regret. Real peace of mind comes with the assurance of custom shipping cases, equipped with high-grade, dense foam designed to stand the test of time and turbulence.
At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing custom padded equipment cases for more than 50 years for clients throughout a myriad of industries. If you need quality equipment cases, head to our homepage and click on the Request a Quote tab and a member of our sales team will be in touch with you as soon as possible to gather information and provide you with a cost quote.
5 Reasons Why You Need Heavy Duty Cases
In a world where equipment damage can lead to significant financial loss and delays, it’s crucial to have reliable protection for your valuable assets. That’s where Bel-Air Cases arrives on the scene. We specialize in creating custom heavy duty cases designed to protect and transport your equipment securely. Here are five reasons to consider a Bel-Air case.
1. Superior Protection
Our heavy-duty cases provide an unparalleled level of protection against physical impact, dust, water, and other potentially damaging elements. With a hard exterior shell and custom foam interiors, our shipping cases and custom carrying cases offer dual protection. The exterior guards against outside forces, while the interior foam absorbs shocks and cushions your equipment, preventing damage during transit.
We vacuum-form each case shell using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is one of the most durable case materials. HDPE absorbs impacts and repels water as well as being resistant to many solvents. HDPE also can withstand temperatures ranging from -80 degrees F up to 180 degrees F and we can provide you with cases that include humidity control.
We also use the highest quality foam for your interior, and we provide you with a completely custom interior designed specifically around your equipment. Too often, in the case industry, we see manufacturers hand off cases with a chunk of diced foam inside. This cheap foam, also known as pick-and-pluck foam is not only low quality, but it also forces the customer to create cavities for their equipment, which hardly provides the best level of protection. For about the same price as you’d pay for a case filled with cheap diced foam, we can design you a custom case with a custom foam interior.
2. Customization to Meet Your Needs
Bel-Air Cases aren’t one-size-fits-all. We believe in creating solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. We have no off-the-shell cases, and every case, from our heavy-duty shipping cases to our medium-duty and heavy-duty carrying cases is built to order and designed specifically to house and protect your equipment.
As stated above, our team of experts also will design a case with a custom foam interior that perfectly fits your equipment, providing snug protection and preventing movement within the case during transit. But the exterior shell and interior foam aren’t the only components we can customize.
Need shipping cases with wheels? No problem. We can add wheels and a telescoping handle to just about any case, making it easy to transport your cases in tight spaces. We also can add a variety of latches and locks to any case, including TSA-approved locking systems.
When it comes to appearance, we can customize the color of all of our custom equipment cases, including our custom carrying cases, custom shipping cases and trade show shipping cases. Our standard colors are black and silver, but we have several stock colors including white, yellow, orange, red, green, olive and blue. We also can add molded-in logos, custom decals or engraved plates to your heavy-duty cases.
3. Compliance With Industry Standards
When shipping valuable equipment, particularly for military, aerospace, or entertainment industries, compliance with standards such as the ATA (Air Transport Association) and MIL (Military) specifications is crucial. Our cases are built to meet ATA and most MIL specs, ensuring that your equipment is protected to industry standards. If you’ve been looking for a custom ATA case, we have just what you need.
For our military and aerospace clients, we can design rugged, protective cases that meet just about any specifications you might need. If you are interested in cases that meet MIL specs, just let us know and our design team will provide you with cases that meet all of our requirements.
4. Durability For The Long Haul
Bel-Air Cases are built to last. They are robust, reliable, and designed to withstand the rigors of shipping and frequent travel. This long-term durability makes our heavy-duty protective cases a cost-effective solution, safeguarding your investment for years to come. In fact, some of the cases we built in our early days, in the late 1960s, are still going strong.
A Bel-Air case is meant to last a lifetime, and we have no written warranty. This is because we’ve never needed one. We stand by our rugged cases throughout their lifetime. If a component on your case breaks, we will fix it. We know that the transit industry is rough on cases, so while we cannot guarantee that your cases will never be damaged, we can assure you that we will always repair the damages
5. Peace of Mind
Perhaps the most crucial benefit of using our heavy-duty cases is the peace of mind it brings. Knowing that your equipment is securely housed and protected allows you to focus on the tasks at hand, rather than worrying about potential damage or loss. Our cases provide you with an extra layer of insurance for your equipment.
Types of Cases We Make
At Bel-Air, we’ve been making vacuum-formed custom cases for more than 50 years and we focus on three main types of cases – shipping cases, carrying cases and expo cases. Our shipping cases can be used to hold just about anything from lighting equipment to diagnostic equipment to military equipment and much more. These cases are designed to withstand frequent trips as cargo, whether it’s in a 747 or on a rocket to Mars.
If you need a smaller case that’s still highly protective, our heavy-duty carrying cases are a good option. These can be shipped frequently as cargo or luggage, but they are a bit easier to maneuver in tight situations and, of course, we can add wheels and handles to make it easier to move your case from place to place.
If you want a professional carrying case that you don’t anticipate needing to ship as cargo and only occasionally as luggage, our medium-duty case can be a great option. These are ideal for sales kits and demo cases, and they also can be used as OEM cases.
For companies that frequently attend trade shows, our expo cases are built to house graphics, displays, banners and other oddly-sized items. Our trade show shipping cases with wheels are easy to move around a convention center floor and, if you select shipping cases and expo cases in the same color with molded-in logos, this makes everything easy to identify and adds a professional touch to your company’s booth.
Order Cases Today!
Investing in heavy duty cases from Bel-Air is a smart move that guarantees superior protection, customization, industry compliance, and long-lasting durability. You’ll also enjoy the invaluable benefit of peace of mind, knowing your valuable equipment is in safe hands. For more information or to get started on designing your custom case (or cases), contact the team at Bel-Air Cases today.
The Unseen Heroes Of Transport: Custom Flight Cases
While it might seem dramatic to assign heroic status to a flight case, Bel-Air Cases have provided an ultimate level of protection for our clients for more than 50 years, and this includes military and aerospace clients who truly have to put their cases into some highly rigorous environments.
Although your case might not be bouncing around inside an armored personnel carrier or taking a trip up to the International Space Station, we know that you need a flight case that can protect your equipment for hundreds of trips via land, sea or air and our cases are equal to the task. If you need an ATA case, our cases are built to ATA standards and can be built to meet most MIL specs, as well.
Custom Shipping Cases: Built Around Your Equipment
If you need to transport delicate and/or expensive equipment, a custom flight case is typically your best option. Off-the-shelf cases simply cannot provide the level of protection that a custom Bel-Air flight case can provide.
Each of our cases is custom-built to your exact specifications ensuring that whatever you place inside is protected, no matter what happens during transport. We construct case shells out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), one of the most durable types of plastic available.
HDPE also offers many other advantages. It’s lightweight, which makes it easier to maneuver, but also can reduce your shipping costs. Additionally, HDPE is highly chemical-resistant and water-resistant, and we can design cases that lock out moisture and humidity to further protect whatever is placed inside.
We offer both heavy-duty carrying cases and heavy-duty shipping cases. The carrying cases are ideal for diagnostic equipment, medical equipment, camera equipment and anything that you need to be able to carry about easily.
For larger or heavier items, our shipping cases are the perfect option. Whether you are looking for road cases for your music gear, lighting cases, audio/visual equipment cases, computer equipment cases or some other types of expensive gear, our shipping cases are a perfect option.
Custom Case Foam:
Do you need a hard plastic case with foam inside? Of course, you do! Custom case foam is a crucial part of the case equation, absorbing impacts and vibration and cushioning every piece of your equipment perfectly. At Bel-Air Cases, we never hand off a case to a customer without providing a custom foam insert.
Too often, equipment cases with foam include a cheap type of foam known and pick-and-pluck foam or diced foam. This is just a large chunk of foam without any custom-made cavities. Not only is the quality of the foam poor, but it also forces the customer to cut away the material to create cavities for their equipment and this isn’t nearly as protective as a custom foam insert.
At Bel-Air, we are experts at crafting foam interiors. We can provide you with anything from a simple foam liner up to a complicated interior with panel mounts, shock mounts, windows, plastic dividers, interior walls and, of course, custom die-cut cavities created to fit perfectly around each piece of equipment.
Typically, we can provide a custom interior for about the same price as you would expect to pay for a case with cheap diced foam and our foam acts as a second layer of protection for your equipment, providing even more insurance against damage during transport.
Bel-Air Cases: 55+ Years Of Experience
Back in the late 60s, when we were just getting our start, vacuum-formed plastic cases weren’t common. In fact, we are the original manufacturer of custom vacuum-formed carrying cases and shipping cases!
We got in early during the plastic revolution, and throughout the last 50-plus years, we’ve designed cases for just about any item imaginable.
While we are proud of our history of producing amazing cases, we do have one small regret. Back in the 60s, many companies highlighted their products with amazing industrial musicals. These musicals often were presented as a celebratory event during yearly sales meetings or conventions, and we do wish that we had hopped on the industrial music bandwagon. (To learn more about the wonder that was industrial musicals, check out the documentary “Bathtubs Over Broadway.”)
Given that Bel-Air was founded in 1967, right around the “summer of love,” with the hippie movement in full swing and the off-Broadway release of the musical “Hair,” we imagine that the highlight of our industrial musical (no doubt entitled “The Plastic Case Revolution.”) would feature our version of a classic “Hair” song.
The Age of the Bel-Air Case (using the tune from “Aquarius”)
When You Fly, and Need A Shipping Case
And Worry The Air Is Rough
Let Bel-Air Guide Your Travels
And Protect Your Precious Stuff
This Is the dawning of the age of the Bel-Air Case
Age of the Bel-Air Case
The Bel-Air Case
The Bel-Air Case
A Design Team So Understanding
Custom Features Are Abounding
Amazing Custom Plastic Extrusion
Quality Custom Foam Inclusion
Join The Case Design Evolution
It’s A Plastic Revolution
The Bel-Air Case
The Bel-Air Case
This Is the dawning of the age of the Bel-Air Case
Age of the Bel-Air Case
The Bel-Air Case
The Bel-Air Case
Our cases shine, our cases shine
The vacuum-formed cases – let them shine
Our cases shine, our cases shine
The vacuum-formed cases – let them shine
Doubtless, it would have brought our sales and production staff to tears, but, alas, it was not meant to be. What was meant to be, however, was years of providing clients with the finest quality custom transport cases and we are still proud to be a top producer of custom cases to this day.
If you need a custom flight case (or cases) that can truly handle the rigors of transport, the team at Bel-Air Cases is always here to help. To get started on a custom case order, simply click on the Contact Us tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. A member of our team will contact you as quickly as possible to gather more details and set your case project in motion.
Heavy-Duty Custom Equipment Cases With Foam
If you need to ship expensive equipment or gear, custom equipment cases with foam are usually the best option. Our custom cases provide you with peace of mind that your equipment will arrive safely at its destination whether it travels by plane, train, truck or ship.
At Bel-Air Cases, we’ve been designing heavy-duty equipment cases and carrying cases for more than 50 years and can create a case that meets all of your specifications. While a custom case can be more expensive than an off-the-shelf case, the extra cost can be well worth the price.
Custom Vs. Off-The-Shelf
For some items, a simple off-the-shelf case might be fine. If you need to ship or transport something relatively inexpensive, it might not make sense to spend extra money for a complete custom equipment case with a custom foam interior.
However, if you do often need to transport expensive and/or delicate gear, a custom shipping case with a custom foam interior ensures that your equipment is protected, even on the most harrowing of journeys. Our cases meet ATA specifications and can be built to meet MIL specs, as well. Whether you need ATA cases that can handle hundreds of flights, or you need a case that can handle military-level or aerospace-level extremes, we’ve got you covered.
Each of our shipping cases is made-to-order using high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This thermoform plastic material is one of the most durable case materials. Impact-resistant, moisture-resistant and resistant to many chemicals and solvents, our cases will protect your equipment from the rigors or transport as well as water damage or damage from humidity.
HDPE is highly protective, but it’s also lightweight, which makes it easier to move around a crowded airport and cheaper to ship than cases built from other materials. We also use lightweight, but highly durable aluminum for our valances. The result is a case that can handle hundreds of trips by plane, train, bus, ship, rocket or whatever mode of transport you need to use.
The Custom Foam Interior
The Bel-Air custom foam interior acts as an extra layer of protection for your equipment. Off-the-shelf cases and, sadly, cases from many custom manufacturers, place a chunk of diced foam (pick-and-pluck foam) in the case and hand it off to customers.
With diced foam, the customer must cut away and pluck away at the foam to create cavities for their equipment. The result is ill-fitting and not nearly as protective as a cavity built precisely around your equipment.
We believe that every custom equipment case deserves a quality foam interior, and we build the interiors to fit each piece of your equipment perfectly. We also use high-quality foam that cushions your equipment and protects it from jostling and vibrations. We also can design a completely custom case with custom foam for about the same price as you’d pay for a case with cheap diced foam.
Once Upon A Case: Fictional Characters & Their Equipment Cases
Throughout the last 50 years, we’ve designed and built carrying cases and shipping cases for just about every type of equipment. This includes designing cases for military applications and aerospace clients as well as cases to hold music equipment, camera equipment, lighting equipment, diagnostic equipment and much more.
While we are serious about cases and can design a case for anyone in the real world, sometimes we dream up the type of cases we’d create for some of our favorite fictional characters, including:
Mr. Spock’s Custom Phaser Case
There’s nothing illogical about Mr. Spock’s custom-designed carrying case. The simple black exterior boasts a molded-in Vulcan logo to make it easy for Spock to find his case among the cargo on Starship Enterprise. Inside, there are custom foam cavities to protect his phasers during journeys from one side of the universe to the other.
Harry Potter’s Custom Equipment Case
One doesn’t always want to carry one’s wand from place to place, and Harry’s custom cases can handle a ride in a flying car, a frenetic trip on the Knight Bus or in the cargo hold of the Hogwarts Express. We also created his equipment cases with wheels to make it easy to transport his gear throughout King’s Cross Station.
While he opted for some of our smaller shipping case sizes, the interiors magically fit Harry’s wand perfectly, with spots for his Marauder’s Map, his Nimbus 2000 as well as a complete Quidditch set, a set of scales, an invisibility cloak, a time-turner and a Remembrall. Of course, we designed the cases with a molded-in Gryffindor Logo in Gryffindor red with stylish gold handles.
Mary Poppins’ Shipping Case
Sometimes a magical carpet bag is simply not enough, and you need a custom padded equipment case. For Ms. Poppins, we designed a simple black case (nothing showy, mind you) that cam hold a bottle of medicine, many spoonsful of sugar, a measuring tape, a large floor lamp, a hat stand, a potted plant, a looking glass and many other odds and ends. Mary’s case holds everything safely and securely and, just like Mary, it’s practically perfect in every way.
The Top-Secret Carrying Case
Of course, not all of these heavy-duty shipping cases and carrying cases need be magical, and an internationally known spy such as James Bond needs a case that can hold and protect an assortment of clever gadgets from Q’s top-secret workshop. Bond’s sleek silver case has 007 molded into the frame, to ensure that 006 and 008 don’t accidentally grab his case on their next mission.
Naturally, we’ve added an impenetrable locking system on the case, which can only be accessed with a fingerprint and corneal scan. Inside, you’ll find a special section for secret documents as well as custom foam cavities for a fountain pen that doubles as a pistol, a mini-rocket cigarette, a fingerprint scanner, a tiny spy camera, a watch that can deflect bullets and, naturally, a chilled cocktail glass and tiny bottles of Gordon’s gin, vodka, and a bit of lemon peel.
The Millennium Falcon Cases
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, our team of designers created specialty smugglers shipping cases for a certain rogue pilot and his furry co-pilot. These cases could be used to hold blasters, kegs of illegal spices, the technical plans for a certain Death Star, lightsabers or whatever else would be needed to save the Rebellion and make a quick extra buck or two along the way. Because each case is lightweight, it also makes it easier for the Falcon to make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
Order Your Bel-Air Equipment Cases Now!
While your equipment cases with foam might not need to carry a broomstick or a lightsaber, we know that your equipment is important to you. At Bel-Air Cases we will create a custom case with a quality custom foam interior that meets your specifications, even if they are MIL specs or you need a case that can handle a trip to Mars. To get started, just click on the Request A Quote tab on our homepage and let our team know more about your case project.
5 Benefits of Custom Case Foam For Your Shipping Cases
At Bel-Air Cases, we can design custom carrying cases and shipping cases for just about any type of equipment, and while the exterior of every Bel-Air Case is made-to-order, we also design high-quality custom foam interiors for every case. Here are just a few benefits of opting for cases with custom case foam.
1. High Level Of Protection
Equipment cases with foam are always your best option, but many cases manufacturers sell their cases with a hunk of cheap diced foam inside. Also known as cubed foam or pick-and-pluck foam, this solid foam is not custom-made for your items or equipment. Customers are forced to create their own cavities to fit their equipment. The result isn’t a perfect fit, to say the least, and you end up throwing away much of the foam, which is a waste of money.
At Bel-Air Cases, we never hand off a case with this cheap, diced foam. We create custom foam inserts that are designed around the items you plan to store in your case. Each component in your case will have a custom pre-cut cavity that fits perfectly, providing you with the highest possible level of protection.
2. Durable & Shock Resistant
The exterior of our shipping cases and heavy-duty carrying cases are meant to handle being jostled about in cargo holds and delivery trucks with ease. We use high-density polyethylene for our cases, which is a highly durable and shock-resistant type of thermoform plastic.
While the exteriors are tough, the interior case foam also absorbs vibrations and provides a high level of shock resistance. With a durable exterior and a durable custom foam interior, you can rest assured that your expensive equipment will be able to handle trips by air, land or sea with ease.
3. Our Case Foam Has A Longer Life Span
A Bel-Air case is meant to last a lifetime. We’ve been building custom carrying cases and custom shipping cases for more than 50 years and many of those early cases are still being used today. While they might have a scratch or two, these cases have stood the test of time.
When it comes to our case foam, the high-quality foam we use also will last for many years, far longer than the cheap pick-and-pluck foam used by many case manufacturers. This cheap diced foam typically breaks down within just a few years forcing you to purchase new foam and create new cavities for your equipment.
4. Custom Case Foam Is Cost-Effective
It might surprise you to learn that our custom case foam is not a huge extra expense. In fact, we usually can create a completely custom hard case with foam for what you would expect to pay for a case with cheap diced foam.
Custom foam is far more protective and provides an extra layer of insurance against damage, which means you are much less likely to have to shell out a bunch of cash to fix or replace broken gear. Our foam (and our case exteriors) also is extremely lightweight, which can reduce your shipping and transport costs.
5. Custom Foam Adds A Professional Touch
From an aesthetic standpoint, opting for custom case foam adds a truly professional touch to your shipping cases or carrying cases. Diced foam looks cheap because it is cheap, and if you want your cases to speak to your level of professionalism, opting for custom foam inserts is always a good option.
Of course, we have many other custom features that can add a touch of class to your heavy-duty shipping cases and carry cases. For instance, we can create your cases with a molded-in logo or add custom engraved plates or decals to your cases.
We also can provide you with a bit of color, if you like. In addition to our standard case colors of black and grey, we also have several additional stock colors including white, green, olive, blue, yellow, orange and red. If you are ordering a fleet of cases, such as for sales kits or OEM cases, we may be able to provide you with custom colors or color matching.
Of course, we also can add many other helpful features to each case. This includes wheels, locks, latches and feet as well as different types of handles. A Bel-Air case with wheels and a telescoping handle isn’t just attractive and protective, it’s also easy to maneuver through tight spaces and crowded airports.
Bel-Air Cases: Quality Since 1967!
All of our shipping cases, carrying cases and trade show cases (as well as our case foam) are proudly made in the United States, and we can design just about any size case you might need. If you need ATA cases, we build each case to meet ATA guidelines and we also can design cases to meet many MIL specifications. If you need custom cases, just click on the Request a Quote tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form.
Heavy Duty Cases: Protect Your Delicate Equipment
If you’ve ever suffered the misfortune of opening luggage only to discover that your expensive equipment has been damaged during transport, you aren’t alone. The transportation industry can take its toll on cases and luggage, but our Bel-Air heavy duty cases are built to handle the rigors of transport and protect your delicate or expensive items.
What Makes Bel-Air Different?
We are the first company to design and create vacuum-formed cases, and over the course of the last 50+ years, our cases have stood the test of time. In fact, many of those original cases are still going strong today. There are many case manufacturers and types of cases on the market, but our heavy-duty cases are unique for several reasons, including:
Materials
Back in the late 1960s, plastic cases were considered a new type of material, and we chose a specific type of plastic for our cases – high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This material has several advantages over other types of case materials, including other types of plastic.
HDPE is highly impact-resistant, which is crucial if you want to build shipping cases that can actually handle being shipped again and again. HDPE is water-resistant and chemical-resistant and also is able to handle temperature extremes. Whether your equipment case has to sit on a rain-drenched tarmac, spend a few weeks on the tundra of Antarctica or scuttle through a hot, humid jungle, your Bel-Air case will protect whatever is placed inside it.
Additionally, we use durable aluminum valances to join the two halves of each case together. These also can handle temperature extremes, moisture and humidity. Both HDPE and aluminum are lightweight, which improves maneuverability and can reduce your overall shipping costs.
If you need ATA cases, our cases meet or exceed ATA standards, and we also can meet MIL specs, as well. Through the years, we’ve designed many cases for the military, and if you need MIL spec cases, we can design whatever you might need.
Our cases are suitable for storing and transporting a wide range of equipment, including:
- Lighting Equipment
- Aerospace & Military Equipment
- Medical Equipment
- Audio-Visual Equipment
- Diagnostic Equipment
- Computer Equipment & Much More
While our cases are suitable for just about any type of equipment, if our team believes that another type of case would be a better fit for your items, we will let you know. We believe that the customer always comes first and if we see a better option for your equipment, we will point you to a quality case manufacturer that meets all of your case needs.
Customization
With HDPE and the process of vacuum forming, we can create heavy duty cases in virtually any size you might need. For smaller items, our heavy-duty carrying cases might be a good option to consider. The heavy-duty carrying cases are built using the same materials as our shipping cases, but they are formed using our traditional carry case molds.
For larger and heavier items, our heavy-duty shipping cases are a perfect option, and these are available in a wide range of sizes. If we don’t have the exact size that you need, our team can create a new, custom shipping case size to fit your needs.
Quality Interior Foam
To further protect your equipment, our heavy-duty cases come with custom interior foam. Our high-quality foam absorbs impacts and prevents vibrations from damaging delicate equipment.
While many case manufacturers, either don’t provide custom foam interiors or simply hand off your case with cheap pick & pluck foam, we can usually construct custom foam sets for around the same price you’d pay for cases filled with cheap diced foam.
Our design team can fabricate interior walls, add plastic dividers and interior doors as well as die cuts, windows, panel mounts and shock mounts. With our design expertise, our foam interiors not only provide an ultimate level of protection, but also display your items to their best advantage. Our cases often are used for sales kits and as OEM cases, and our foam interiors can serve an impressive display for potential clients.
Additional Custom Features
While the main purpose of a heavy-duty transport case is to provide a high level of protection, at Bel-Air Cases, we also believe that heavy duty cases can be attractive. We can customize your cases with molded-in logos, engraved plates or custom decals.
We also can provide you with an assortment of color options. Black and silver are the standard colors we offer, but we have several additional stock colors, including blue, green, olive, red, orange, yellow and white. Color matching and custom colors also might be available with a specific minimum purchase.
Order Heavy-Duty Cases Today!
If you need custom heavy-duty cases, contact our team at any time. Whether you need just one custom shipping case or many, we can build cases that protect your equipment perfectly. You can request a quote by calling us at (866) 235-2472 or clicking on the Contact Us tab on our homepage and filling out our quick contact form. All of our cases are built-to-order and designed and made in the USA.