Traveling with fragile equipment can be risky. Even if cargo isn’t mishandled, the contents endure constant vibrations and occasional jostling, either of which can damage instruments. Commonly used by musicians, film crews, and military personnel, Air Transport Association (ATA) cases are designed to protect the most sensitive equipment during transport.
ATA cases are typically constructed from aluminum, plastic, or laminated plywood and outfitted with sturdy aluminum hardware. Complete with a custom-molded foam interior, they protect instruments against impact, vibration, and shock, ensuring the contents survive even rough handling.
No matter how specialized your needs are, our extensive range of customization options allow us to protect even one-of-a-kind products from transportation-related damage.
Although ATA cases share a common purpose, they take many different forms depending on the specific application, including:
Custom ATA cases offer maximum design flexibility, allowing you to select exactly the design features you need. Custom ATA cases can provide you with:
Custom ATA cases are infinitely configurable to protect all manner of fragile cargo. Common applications include:

Shipping medical equipment can be challenging, especially when working with specialty imaging or diagnostic equipment. Damage sustained in travel is not only expensive but potentially harmful to patient safety if it goes unnoticed. Custom medical device ATA shipping cases minimize the risk involved in transporting delicate medical machinery, encasing sensitive tools in custom-formed, shock-absorbing foam. Workstation options are also available for shipping fully-equipped disaster relief stations.

Trade show vendors invest thousands in displays, marketing materials, and wares, any of which can become damaged during a rocky flight. Trade show ATA cases are lightweight and portable yet sturdy, facilitating the protection of an entire trade show setup without hampering mobility. These containers are available in a variety of sizes, including mobile options that can be checked on commercial aircraft, and feature custom inserts to protect lights, displays, products, and similar trade show necessities.

ATA-rated transportation cases are invaluable for transporting sensitive military equipment, including weaponry that can’t be flown in conventional containers. Military entities and defense contractors use ATA cases for optical equipment, medical kits, UAV drones, firearms, ammunition, and other tools. As such, these cases are employed by all branches of the U.S. Military, with protective coatings ensuring longevity whether stored on a ship or in a desert.

Touring bands and musicians have trusted ATA trunks for decades to protect equipment in between venues. Most instruments are fragile and vulnerable to moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations, all of which can alter the sound produced by the instrument. Professional musicians often travel with valuable or irreplaceable instruments, making protective cases a top priority. ATA musical instrument cases safeguard instruments of all sizes against shocks, vibrations, and environmental exposure, ensuring safe transit by train, bus, or plane.

Soundboards, microphones, and other A/V equipment are subject to many of the same concerns as musical instruments. ATA cases for audio-visual professionals are lightweight yet resilient. They are designed to protect expensive electronic components by sealing out dust and moisture.

Models built for trade shows, educational installations, and similar settings are both fragile and difficult to replace. Hard-shell ATA cases for models and exhibits ensure that no harm comes to custom models in transit, supporting loose components with die-cut foam and a reinforced casing. Custom branding options give these cases a professional appearance, meaning they can be incorporated into exhibits themselves where space is a concern.
Custom Case Company has been crafting specialty ATA cases since 1994. To learn more about our flexible production capabilities and extensive customization options, contact us or request a quote today.