Enclosures
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From: hamilton on 19 Mar 2010 15:54 Dombo wrote: > D Yuniskis schreef: >> Hi, >> >> I need a small quantity (~20) of small {plastic,aluminum} >> enclosures. But, I'm looking for something other than a >> simple rectangular prism shape. >> >> So far, I haven't found anything "stock" that looks >> appropriate (I did find a COTS "console-like" case but >> the angle is too shallow). > > Depending on your specific requirements a 3D printer could be an option > for plastic enclosures. Companies which offer prototyping services often > have one. I have seen 3D printer cases that I would not give to a customer. Its great for a sales guy showing off a NEW product, but the strength of the model is still not what I would expect for a real case. hamilton
From: D Yuniskis on 19 Mar 2010 15:32 Hi Charlie, Charlie E. wrote: > On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:02:04 -0700, Tim Wescott <tim(a)seemywebsite.now> > >> D Yuniskis wrote: >>> I need a small quantity (~20) of small {plastic,aluminum} >>> enclosures. But, I'm looking for something other than a >>> simple rectangular prism shape. >>> >>> I'm wondering, instead, if I can't hack together something >>> with a sheet metal skeleton (or, maybe even a cardboard or >>> wooden form!) and fiberglass? This doesn't need to be >>> terribly strong, structurally. And, I could no doubt >>> come up with a way of mounting everything to a *base* >>> (i.e., to eliminate the need for fasteners *in* the skin). >>> >> I'm not sure what you're thinking of in terms of a "skeleton", but a >> fiberglass enclosure, by itself, would certainly be structurally sound >> enough for anything small. >> >> If a sheet metal case would be acceptable, then consider finding a sheet >> metal fabricator to make you some. A run of 20 will cost a lot more in >> setup and design than in the actual case itself, but if you just gotta >> have a case, you just gotta have a case. > > If you really need something custom, then consider clear plastic, like > you can get at Home Depot. It is easy to cut, and you can get plastic > glues that bond it like it is all one piece. If you don't want it > transparent, get some plastic spray paint and paint the inside to any > color you want! I've used lexan in the past for this sort of approach. Solvent weld the "corners", file to debur, paint. But, it's hard to get anything other than a bunch of "planar surfaces". (well, maybe if you used *thick* plastic and filed/sanded away a *lot* you could get to an arbitrary curved surface) The fiberlass advantage -- especially over a wooden form -- would let me "sculpt" the outer surface instead of relying on how many flat "facets" I wanted to glue together :-/ > If you are careful, you can even drill and tap it, although I would > recommend using a nut glued and embedded in the plastic as more > reliable.
From: D Yuniskis on 19 Mar 2010 15:41 Hi Rich, Rich Webb wrote: > On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:32:42 -0700, D Yuniskis >> I need a small quantity (~20) of small {plastic,aluminum} >> enclosures. But, I'm looking for something other than a >> simple rectangular prism shape. >> >> So far, I haven't found anything "stock" that looks >> appropriate (I did find a COTS "console-like" case but >> the angle is too shallow). > > Some possibles from my bookmarks list: > http://www.polycase.com/ > http://www.rose-bopla.com/Main_Pgs/Table_of_Contents.htm > and of course http://www.hammondmfg.com/ I had already checked ploycase and hammond -- no joy there. I chased the second link you provided and they don't seem to have anything either. I'm pretty sure I am going to have to roll my own. So, it boils down to figuring out what the limitations of any process I might adopt would be.
From: Hans-Bernhard Bröker on 19 Mar 2010 15:38 hamilton wrote: > I have seen 3D printer cases that I would not give to a customer. Strongly seconded. 3D printer output material tends to be _way_ too brittle to actually expose to customer hands --- and it's usually in the wrong colour or opacity, too. It's good to _show_ a shape, but sucks at _holding_ that shape. As a rough reference point, you shouldn't try to hold an LCD's zebra-rubber connectors in place using 3D-printer pieces only. At least those parts of the setup experiencing pull-stress will break almost immediately.
From: whit3rd on 19 Mar 2010 15:52
On Mar 19, 10:32 am, D Yuniskis <not.going.to...(a)seen.com> wrote: > I need a small quantity (~20) of small {plastic,aluminum} > enclosures. But, I'm looking for something other than a > simple rectangular prism shape. > > So far, I haven't found anything "stock" that looks > appropriate Three ideas: sheetmetal work is fairly easy, if you can find a shop with brakes and shears, they can whip up a variety of flat-surfaced boxy things. Spotwelding or POP rivets or PEM nuts are suitable for the fastenings. Polycarbonate or acrylic sheeting can be heated in an oven to sag into any mold shape (or over any interior shapes), at modest temperatures. Lots of 'box' items are available for lots of purposes, can you get a file-card box or a lunchbox to suit your purposes? How about an Altoids tin? Hubcap from a '57 Chevy? |