enclosure manufacturing

MrDEB · Jul 26, 2018

Need a "custom plastic enclosure but finding one that is square seems unlikely until I happened on to Tooless manfacturing
**broken link removed**
Has anybody tried their service??

dknguyen · Jul 26, 2018

Have you checked your local library? Mine has a 3D printer.

JonSea · Jul 26, 2018

Unless you are making a good many of something, designing a board to fit in an off-the-self enclosure is usually the best bet.

chemelec · Jul 27, 2018

MrDEB said:
Need a "custom plastic enclosure but finding one that is square seems unlikely until I happened on to Tooless manfacturing
**broken link removed**
Has anybody tried their service??

If you have access to ABS Sheet Plastic, You can Easily Fabricate Boxes of any size or Shape, also make them look quite professional. Here is an Example of one I Made.

To Cut the various Pieces to Size, Score it with a Razor Knife and Break it.
Than using MEK or Acetone, you can Glue (Melt) these pieces together.
Also possible to Bend it with a Hot Wire.

How Big of a Box?
You don't say Where you Live, But I can give further help if needed.
Just Email Me

JonSea · Jul 27, 2018

Polycase has a number of square and near square enclosures around 4"×4" - 5"×5".

An alternate is a laser-cut acrylic case, which is nice if you need cutouts for switches and so on.

be80be · Jul 27, 2018

chemelec said:
If you have access to ABS Sheet Plastic, You can Easily Fabricate Boxes of any size or Shape, also make them look quite professional. Here is an Example of one I Made.
View attachment 113932
To Cut the various Pieces to Size, Score it with a Razor Knife and Break it.
Than using MEK or Acetone, you can Glue (Melt) these pieces together.
Also possible to Bend it with a Hot Wire.

How Big of a Box?
You don't say Where you Live, But I can give further help if needed.
Just Email Me

Damm that's one nice looking box great job there.

unclejed613 · Jul 27, 2018

usually these days, if i'm doing a "one-off" or even a few, i'll 3D print them, but if i need more than that i'll either make the board fit in a commercial one or find a company that makes them at low cost. i've been a regular attendee of the annual AMCON (American Contract manufacturing) expo in Denver for the last 10 years. there's a lot of companies that will do small or large orders for reasonably low cost. if you already have STL files of the box you want, the tooling and startup costs will be a lot lower.

DirtyLude · Jul 27, 2018

3d printing has been amazing for ad hoc enclosures. Eagle has done a pretty good job of interfacing with Fusion 360 and it's real simple to export your PCB to eagle and build your enclosure around it.

https://a360.co/2Aj7hXe

https://a360.co/2NN7kfN

chemelec · Jul 27, 2018

MrDEB said:
Need a "custom plastic enclosure but finding one that is square seems unlikely until I happened on to Tooless manfacturing
**broken link removed**
Has anybody tried their service??

If you give me the Dimensions and Necessary Details, I could probably make you one and Mail it to You.
NO CHARGE, EXCEPT FOR THE SHIPPING COST.

MrDEB · Jul 28, 2018

That is a really nice enclosure there Chemelec.
I inquired about having one made and yes it is expensive for a one off prototype. Seeing your enclosure and doing some research I am going to try my hand at making one from Lexan sheet I have but may be too thick?
One issue I found is the depth of the enclosure is only 20mm. most off the shelf enclosures are deeper or not square. The enclosure MUST be square.
I have a sketchup drawing but it dosen't print exactly the right size and still trying to get the battery opening cut out where it needs to be.
The enclosure is really a simple design 110mm x 110mm x 20mm deep. 90mm cutout on top and 50mm x 60mm cut out on bottom. Plan to use adhesive to secure board to enclosure.
I might take you up on your offer Chemelec after I try and make an enclosure.

rjenkinsgb · Jul 28, 2018

Try "Designspark mechanical" (free from RS components) for making 3D print designs.
https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/mechanical-software

It allows absolute dimensioning by either dragging or entering values and the parts I've made with it so far have been perfect size, including small details like clips and hinges to fit with existing items.

chemelec · Jul 28, 2018

MrDEB said:
That is a really nice enclosure there Chemelec.
I inquired about having one made and yes it is expensive for a one off prototype. Seeing your enclosure and doing some research I am going to try my hand at making one from Lexan sheet I have but may be too thick?
One issue I found is the depth of the enclosure is only 20mm. most off the shelf enclosures are deeper or not square. The enclosure MUST be square.
I have a sketchup drawing but it dosen't print exactly the right size and still trying to get the battery opening cut out where it needs to be.
The enclosure is really a simple design 110mm x 110mm x 20mm deep. 90mm cutout on top and 50mm x 60mm cut out on bottom. Plan to use adhesive to secure board to enclosure.
I might take you up on your offer Chemelec after I try and make an enclosure.

Where do you Live? USA?
Many countries are a free phone call for me.

The Thinner White ABS Plastic I have is about 2.3mm Thick and some is 2.5mm thick.

Nigel Goodwin · Jul 28, 2018

I'd also like to complement you on the quality of your enclosure Chemelec, how about some pictures of the other sides?.

chemelec · Jul 28, 2018

Here is a Picture of the Back Side, With the Back Removed.
The Decal on the front was Reverse Printed on Transparency Film, so the lettering Can't Rub Off.
This was just made for my Home Use, Not ment to be FANCY, But Reasonable Looking.

MrDEB · Jul 28, 2018

Thanks for the link to Design Spark. Looks almost like Sketchup but a few more bells n whistles. Will run it and give it a go.
I live in Washington state USA

ronsimpson · Jul 28, 2018

rjenkinsgb said:
Try "Designspark mechanical" (free from RS components) for making 3D print designs.

Does DesignSpark rally eat 1 to 2 TB of hard drive?

rjenkinsgb · Jul 28, 2018

ronsimpson said:
Does DesignSpark rally eat 1 to 2 TB of hard drive?

I've just had a look on this machine, the installed size is 857MB.

chemelec · Jul 28, 2018

Here is another case I made, but never finished off.
One End Sanded and wiped with MEK to seal it, but cracks could also be filled a bit.

.
Other End Not Finished.
And a Rear View.

be80be · Jul 28, 2018

We made stuff like that in high school But never a whole box 3 side or L shapes.
Nice work tho I wish I didn't live in apartment I'd try to make one.

chemelec · Jul 28, 2018

be80be said:
We made stuff like that in high school But never a whole box 3 side or L shapes.
Nice work tho I wish I didn't live in apartment I'd try to make one.

Apartments are no fun.
But you probably could do boxes, just not so easy with hot wire bending like these.

enclosure manufacturing

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