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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a
case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. I'd like as light-weight, but strong material as possible. My one thought was to recycle PET soda bottles and develop a home-made pour/compression mold, but I'm not certain that's the practical way. Or, perhaps using a pourable resin (polyester or epoxy?) Finally, I've considered a shop-build vacuum forming table, but I'm concerned about forming the support ribs on the inside of the bottom case half. Any suggestions would be welcome. |
#2
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
tillius wrote:
I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. I'd like as light-weight, but strong material as possible. then its ali, carbon fibre / kevlar reinforced Seriously, youre just not giving enough info. No info re plastic vs metal, application, what issues matter and what dont, budget, appearance requirements, etc etc. My one thought was to recycle PET soda bottles and develop a home-made pour/compression mold, but I'm not certain that's the practical way. Or, perhaps using a pourable resin (polyester or epoxy?) Finally, I've considered a shop-build vacuum forming table, but I'm concerned about forming the support ribs on the inside of the bottom case half. Any suggestions would be welcome. Give us a lot more info NT |
#3
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
tillius wrote:
I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. I'd like as light-weight, but strong material as possible. My one thought was to recycle PET soda bottles and develop a home-made pour/compression mold, but I'm not certain that's the practical way. Or, perhaps using a pourable resin (polyester or epoxy?) You want Sylgard, a pourable silicone resin, comes clear and can be used to encase electronics. The only problem with it is it helps to degass it after you mix in the activator, you can rig up decent vacuum with Vernouli type device attached to a tap. It is very thermally resistant and has excellent shock absorption properties. Might not be good for airflow though. Peter -- Add my middle initial to email me. It has become attached to a country www.the-brights.net |
#4
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On May 19, 12:17 pm, tillius wrote:
I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. I'd like as light-weight, but strong material as possible. My one thought was to recycle PET soda bottles and develop a home-made pour/compression mold, but I'm not certain that's the practical way. Or, perhaps using a pourable resin (polyester or epoxy?) Finally, I've considered a shop-build vacuum forming table, but I'm concerned about forming the support ribs on the inside of the bottom case half. Why not just get an old desktop computer and gut it? A Dell P1 or early P II might do. |
#5
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On 19 May 2007 04:17:45 -0700, tillius
wrote: I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. Can't say I've ever had this problem. Can anyone suggest a good way of racking vast piles of discarded cabinets from old electronic equipment? These days the only bit that's wroth recycling is the case and the power switch. I (and every other electronics geek I've known) have truckloads of old cases just waiting for projects that will never get built. |
#6
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronicscase?
tillius wrote:
I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. I'd like as light-weight, but strong material as possible. My one thought was to recycle PET soda bottles and develop a home-made pour/compression mold, but I'm not certain that's the practical way. Or, perhaps using a pourable resin (polyester or epoxy?) Finally, I've considered a shop-build vacuum forming table, but I'm concerned about forming the support ribs on the inside of the bottom case half. Any suggestions would be welcome. A lot depends what it is for - if it is as some form of technology demonstrator to convince people to invest in it / buy it / support it for manufacture, go to RS or Farnell and buy a case. A secondhand case or home built case won't give the right impression. And please don't use Dymo tape for any labels - professionally produced labels or engraving are not that expensive and make a BIG difference to the first impression. If you get a green light beyond this stage, look at something like thin RIM moulding: http://www.martello.co.uk/ It is a very cost effective method for producing one offs and small production runs (I don't have any connection to them other than as a customer). Finally remember that your time has value. Work out what your time is worth and how long it will take you to make a decent case, then see if it still the best option to make your own rather than staying focussed on the electronics. Cheers Chris -- Cut along the dotted line to reply |
#7
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On 19 May, 14:59, Andy Dingley wrote:
On 19 May 2007 04:17:45 -0700, tillius wrote: I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. Can't say I've ever had this problem. Can anyone suggest a good way of racking vast piles of discarded cabinets from old electronic equipment? These days the only bit that's wroth recycling is the case and the power switch. I (and every other electronics geek I've known) have truckloads of old cases just waiting for projects that will never get built. What specifically do you mean by 'good'? 2x2 uprights & chip shelves are a simple option. Another option that can fly in places with low ceilings is a long shelf 6" below the ceiling, onto which various kit is placed, with the leads coming down to working height. Good where space is needed and access to kit is only needed here and there. Eg power supplies, servers, desktop PCs, UPS, pattern gens, etc NT |
#8
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
In article . com,
tillius wrote: I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. That sounds like a near standard rack mounting size. Have you looked at the suppliers of such things? -- *If God had wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#9
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On May 19, 7:56 am, wrote:
Seriously, youre just not giving enough info. No info re plastic vs metal, application, what issues matter and what dont, budget, appearance requirements, etc etc. Give us a lot more info NT Sorry. I'm looking for a plastic case. I don't think I'll be able to find a case off-the-shelf that will work for this. It is designed to lay flat (the 3" being the height) and has several controls on the top sides with a large (15") LCD screen mounted in the middle of the top. The inside also needs to have ribs to support/segregate the various electronic components and to provide clearance for shielding to prevent certain components from interfering with certain other components. The edges of the case also need to be eased and wide side to wide side it is a slightly wedged shape, with the thickness (height) at one of the wide sides being 2.75" and the thickness at the other wide side being 3.25". The wedge shape being integral to it's functionality. |
#10
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On May 19, 8:01 am, (Peter Ashby) wrote:
You want Sylgard, a pourable silicone resin, comes clear and can be used to encase electronics. The only problem with it is it helps to degass it after you mix in the activator, you can rig up decent vacuum with Vernouli type device attached to a tap. It is very thermally resistant and has excellent shock absorption properties. Might not be good for airflow though. Peter -- Add my middle initial to email me. It has become attached to a countrywww.the-brights.net Thank you. I will check sylgard out. |
#11
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On May 19, 1:21 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: In article . com, tillius wrote: I'm building a prototype electronic device and need to construct a case for the prototype. The approximated dimensions are 13" x 19" x 3", and it needs to have cooling slots in the bottom for fan driven airflow. That sounds like a near standard rack mounting size. Have you looked at the suppliers of such things? -- *If God had wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. Thanks, the rack mounted cases are better designed for rack mounted devices and I don't believe they would work well for my application. See my previous responses listing additional requirements. Thanks for all your replies. |
#12
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Best material/methodology to construct a low-cost custom electronics case?
On 19 May, 22:26, tillius wrote:
On May 19, 7:56 am, wrote: Seriously, youre just not giving enough info. No info re plastic vs metal, application, what issues matter and what dont, budget, appearance requirements, etc etc. Give us a lot more info NT Sorry. I'm looking for a plastic case. I don't think I'll be able to find a case off-the-shelf that will work for this. It is designed to lay flat (the 3" being the height) and has several controls on the top sides with a large (15") LCD screen mounted in the middle of the top. The inside also needs to have ribs to support/segregate the various electronic components and to provide clearance for shielding to prevent certain components from interfering with certain other components. The edges of the case also need to be eased and wide side to wide side it is a slightly wedged shape, with the thickness (height) at one of the wide sides being 2.75" and the thickness at the other wide side being 3.25". The wedge shape being integral to it's functionality. well, thats the first fraction of the information NT |
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