5 Star Cases was recently contacted to design and supply a complete exhibition display system and flight case solution for CPU Holders 4U and Pro Audio Stash. From an initial brief from Pro Audio Stash’s Rob Platt, the design team at 5 Star came up with a some ideas, and following some minor tweaks, the project was born, comprising two main product categories. 

 Pro Audio Stash distributes a range of 19” rack mount cabinets, both free standing and wall mounted, plus a host of rack-mounting accessories like plain panels, drawers, ventilation panels, castors etc.

Pictured is Rob Platt of Pro Audio Stash / CPU Holders 4u.

5 Star also integrated a smart system allowing each pod to stack onto another by means of male and female interlocks machined into the plywood side panels.  This enables the pods to be stacked in a wide variety of layouts to suit different exhibition criteria.  Corporate branding was also a key feature of the pods, and again, this was CNC machined into the plywood. All of the display pods were finished in a durable white textured synthetic paint, which ensures a higher visible impact of the products on show. Additionally, 3 high brightness LED’s were flush fixed into each pod to illuminate the product and add further visual dynamics. Two further pods were designed as a ‘desk’ system, to accommodate 2 pull out drawers from the CPU range.  The top of the desk was machined from 12mm ultra-clear polycarbonate sheet so the entire drawer can be seen. All pods were supplied with flight cases from 5 Star’s Heavy Industrial range, finished in stylish navy blue laminate and screen printed branding. In total, 15 single pods with 5 flight cases and 2 desk pods in matching cases were supplied, complete with a set of flight cases each housing one of Pro Audio Stash’s range of AV and server rack enclosures, including 28, 32 and 42u sizes.

In the last eighteen months, 5 Star has supplied over 3700 Pro440 cases, all finished in a striking red laminate. When Pioneer recently launched a Limited Edition ‘piano black’ CDJ-400 and DJM-400 featuring cool blue LED illumination, Paul Beardsall of Pioneer Europe NV, once again contacted 5 Star, wanting a new look case to compliment this special equipment release. The overall design was not part of the brief, so a simple but effective change of exterior case colour was suggested. To compliment the blue illumination of the equipment, a stylish blue laminate was substituted for existing red exterior covering, together with a blue brushed nylon-topped foam insert.  All the other details remain the same, such as black powder-coated hardware and black aluminium profiles.

Pioneer place orders for 3000 cases with 5 Star. 

Paul Beardsall comments “It’s always extremely easy working with a manufacturer like 5 Star.  From the initial brief they quickly provide samples, whether it’s material swatches or complete cases.  This gives us a turnkey facility that very few - if any -other case manufacturers can match”. 5 Star can offer a complete solution to companies like Pioneer, including a well equipped technical design office and stock holding of popular cases enabling for immediate dispatch, plus the quality and quick turnaround for which 5 Star is renowned .

This is one of several orders which has seen 5 Star finish the year with a surge in business and a healthy order book for the start of 2010.

Various sized ‘self-stick’ foam blocks are supplied to allow for different notebook dimensions. PSU, cables, mouse and other accessories are also catered for with ample space under the tray. As well as various exterior finishes, these Laptop Cases find many uses in a wide variety of industries. Contact our sales team for further details and pricing.