Control cabinets: technological heart of industrial automation

    November 29, 2025

Summary



The control cabinets are the technological heart of industrial plants: they distribute power, house automation systems and provide safety and reliability to processes. Over time they have evolved from simple enclosures to complex solutions that integrate PLCs, inverters and smart devices, becoming strategic elements for Industry 4.0. Their design today requires advanced engineering skills, attention to thermal dissipation, protection from electromagnetic disturbances and compliance with rigorous standards.   

In this context, Miba represents a partner of excellence. With over 45 years of experience, it combines the solidity of metal carpentry with precision in assembly and wiring. Each cabinet is developed following the principles of Lean Production and Design for Excellence, optimized for reliability and simplified maintenance. Quality testing and international certifications ensure consistent performance.   

Cabinets made by Miba turn a technical complexity into a lasting competitive advantage. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The control cabinets are fundamental components for any industrial plant. They are not simply containers, but true nerve centers of automation, capable of housing and protecting energy management, control and distribution systems. In an increasingly complex and digitized industrial environment, their design and implementation have assumed a strategic role, directly affecting productivity, safety and business continuity.   

are the technological heart of industrial plants: they distribute power, house automation systems and provide safety and reliability to processes. Over time they have evolved from simple enclosures to complex solutions that integrate PLCs, inverters and smart devices, becoming strategic elements for Industry 4.0. Their design today requires advanced engineering skills, attention to thermal dissipation, protection from electromagnetic disturbances and compliance with rigorous standards. 

Functions and main features of control cabinets 

Control cabinets serve several critical functions in an industrial plant:   
  • Power distribution: allow the proper distribution of electric current to the various parts of the system. 
  • Protection: integrate safety devices that defend circuits from surges, short circuits, or unexpected failures. 
  • Automation: house programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote management systems, and continuous monitoring equipment. 
  • Reliability and continuity: enable reduced downtime, protecting equipment even in harsh environmental conditions. 
 

A properly designed cabinet does not just enclose components; it must be designed to also ensure:   
  • Mechanical strength and physical protection of internal elements; 
  • Proper thermal dissipation, so as to prevent overheating; 
  • Shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI); 
  • Ease of maintenance and accessibility to technicians. 



The evolution toward complex systems 

The growing popularity of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing solutions has made control cabinets increasingly complex. Inside them are not only traditional electrical components, but also smart devices capable of talking to each other, collecting data and sending it to analytics platforms.   

For example, in industries such as automotive, electro-medical, or advanced logistics, cabinets do not just support the operation of machinery, but become key nodes in an integrated control system that ensures productivity, traceability, and safety.   

This evolution has brought with it new challenges for those who make control cabinets: increasingly careful design, selection of high-performance materials, rigorous testing, and continuous adaptation to safety and quality regulations. 

Design and industry standards 

A control cabinet must comply with both technical and regulatory factors. International standards define requirements for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, insulation and thermal management. Standards such as:    
  • IEC 61439, which regulates the performance and safety of low-voltage switchgear. 
  • EN 60204-1, devoted to machine safety in relation to electrical systems. 
  • Sector-specific standards, such as those for medical or automotive, that introduce additional stringent requirements. 


A cabinet that does not comply with these guidelines not only poses an operational risk, but also exposes the company to plant shutdowns and penalties. Consequently, investment in the design and construction of quality cabinets is crucial for any industrial setting. 

Miba and the production of control cabinets 

After analyzing the role and characteristics of control cabinets in general terms, it is important to look at how a company with decades of experience like Miba addresses this challenge and turns a critical element into a competitive advantage for its client companies. 

An integrated approach 

Miba works in the field of metal carpentry and the electromechanical equipment for more than 45 years. This dual expertise makes it an ideal partner for control cabinets, as it combines safe enclosure construction with precision integration of electrical and electronic components.   

The integrated approach allows Miba to follow the entire product life cycle: design, carpentry, assembly, internal wiring, testing, and delivery. Each stage is handled with attention to detail and an overall view that ensures reliability and technical consistency.   

Technical support and engineering 

Miba's technical team works alongside clients from the earliest stages of project definition, providing expert advice and support in optimizing solutions. Through the application of Design for Excellence (DFX) and Lean Production principles, the company supports the analysis and evaluation of internal cabinet layouts, wiring layouts, and component accessibility.    

This consultative approach helps guide choices toward safe, high-performance cabinets that are easier to mass produce, quicker to assemble, and less prone to errors during assembly. 

Quality and testing 

One of the distinctive elements of Miba's approach is the centrality of the ISO 9001-certified Quality Control department. Each control cabinet undergoes comprehensive functional testing, which verifies continuity, insulation, mechanical strength and, in the case of complex models, even simulated operation tests.   

The level of reliability achieved allows Miba to offer its customers the “Free Pass” formula: the product arrives already certified and guaranteed, eliminating the need for additional incoming checks. 

Multi-sector experience 

Miba makes control cabinets for numerous industries. Among the main ones:   
  • Electromedical, where reliability is vital and regulations extremely stringent. 
  • Automotive, with cabinets capable of withstanding severe operating conditions, vibration and thermal stress. 
  • Communications and electronics, where it is critical to protect the signal from external interference. 
  • Food and packaging, with durable and easily sanitized structures. 
 

The cross-expertise gained in these contexts is transferred to each project, ensuring optimal and customized solutions. 

The benefits of full service 

In addition to assembly, Miba is distinguished by its ability to offer full service including materials procurement, warehouse management, internal and external logistics, packaging, and both domestic and international shipping.   

The ability to operate in “full supply” or “account processing” mode offers flexibility to customers and allows for adaptation to each company's supply chain strategies. 

No to improvisation, yes to competence 

Control cabinets today are complex devices that are critical to the success of an industrial plant. Their design cannot be improvised, but requires engineering expertise, optimized manufacturing processes and rigorous controls.   

Miba's expertise gained over the years, combined with its ability to integrate metal carpentry, wiring and assembly, make it a qualified partner to successfully meet this challenge. The cabinets designed and manufactured by the company combine reliability, certified quality and operational flexibility, representing a guarantee of continuity and safety for all the sectors served.

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