Making BOXES for your Electronics!

[Macavity]

The thread on "Making your own Printed Cicuit Boards" reminded me...
That my problem is that so few prototypes make it into proper boxes! 🙄

These days, I mostly make stuff for "electronic music" - MIDI Controllers.
But, it is only recently that I discovered the JOYS of *Eurorack Frames"! 😎
(User "Synthracks" sells the Rails + nuts/screws & "End Cheeks" on Ebay)

Much loved by Modular Synth people, I find these also useful for misc.
electronics projects! Provided you can make Front and Rear PANELS...
you have a fairly instant *rigid* BOX! And, if you want to change your
design at some future time, just split the "functions" between panels? 🥳

Full 19" rack Eurorack frame are typically sold on Ebay! But you can
cut down the rails/ends to make non-standard sized electronics stuff! 🙃



P.S. Always good to see a few "Electronics Enthusiasts" (still!) around...

Edited January 28, 2022 by Macavity

[vlaiv]

That is rather nice solution.

To be honest, at this point, when I think of custom boxes for electronics and other things - I instantly think 3d printing for some reason.

I guess this is because I've been thinking a lot about it lately

[Macavity]

40 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

That is rather nice solution.

To be honest, at this point, when I think of custom boxes for electronics and other things - I instantly think 3d printing for some reason.

I guess this is because I've been thinking a lot about it lately

Heheh. I think about such things too! lol. I have recently ordered a "crowd funded"
3D printed box from some nice chaps "abroad".  To heck with "chassis bashing"... 🤣
(I promise myself I will put away that Angle Grinder etc.,  before I remove a digit!)

Edited January 28, 2022 by Macavity

[chemistorge]

I own an Ender 3 v2, and drilling plastic boxes is thankfully a thing of the past. Now I just boot up Fusion 360, find my calipers, grab a coffee and an hour later off to the printer and a while later I have the perfect box.

[vlaiv]

6 minutes ago, chemistorge said:

I own an Ender 3 v2, and drilling plastic boxes is thankfully a thing of the past. Now I just boot up Fusion 360, find my calipers, grab a coffee and an hour later off to the printer and a while later I have the perfect box.

I also wanted to get that, but now looking at new Ender 3 s1

 

[chemistorge]

Just now, vlaiv said:

I also wanted to get that, but now looking at new Ender 3 s1

 

ooh, not seen that one..A 3d printer has been very useful, I have printed... SWeq5 motor mounts, dew shield, m42, m48 adaptors, dove tails, flats boxes, screen bezels, lens adaptors for asi294, telescope back plates........and things I can't remember. Before I had a 3d printer, I didn't know I needed one, but now I do!!!!

[vlaiv]

10 minutes ago, chemistorge said:

ooh, not seen that one..A 3d printer has been very useful, I have printed... SWeq5 motor mounts, dew shield, m42, m48 adaptors, dove tails, flats boxes, screen bezels, lens adaptors for asi294, telescope back plates........and things I can't remember. Before I had a 3d printer, I didn't know I needed one, but now I do!!!!

It's latest member of Ender 3 family - upgrade over v2 but with direct drive extruder and bed level probe pre installed. Few additional upgrades as well - but all other important bits the same as V2.

I still don't have it by have long list of what I'll be using it for - astro related

 

[Alien 13]

Enclosures for my projects has always been a problem for me and have used the "rack" system components many times, more recently I use the Chinese made boxes (sometimes not a cheap option) so have to design kit to fit a specific size. Have even had custom made enclosures milled from a block of aluminium for my "special" audio projects.

The other issue I have is adding fascia details without having to have panels sent out for CNC machining etc.

Alan 

[Len1257]

3D printers are just great till they play up! I have an original modded Ender 3 and its decided I haven't paid it enough attention lately. Works flawlessly 3 out of 4 times then doesn't stick / under extrudes, whatever. Will have to give it a maintenance session!

[Macavity]

If I want really "posh" (with lettering) front panels. I'd probably use:
https://www.schaeffer-ag.de A bit expensive(?), but I anyway do use
their FREE design tool for my front panels - "Aesthetics of HOLES"! 🥳

I have used them for more complex drillings (slider pot controls etc.)
There are now "better ways" of doing stuff, I once struggled with... 😎

Edited January 30, 2022 by Macavity