USER FORUM
(you are viewing a thread; or go back to list of threads)
Tutorial for Simple Electronics Project Box / Enclosure (by Christopher Nassar)
Hi All,
I was wondering if there was a tutorial for making an enclosure for an electronics project. There are many tutorials on youtube on how to do this with FreeCad or OpenSCAD, but none of them seem to translate well to SolveSpace.
If no tutorial exists, I have some specific questions.
1. What is the best way to make a cover using the dimensions of the bottom enclosure?
2. How would I add standoffs to screw a PCB into the box?
3. What is the best way to make screw holes to connect the cover to the base of the enclosure?
Thanks!
I was wondering if there was a tutorial for making an enclosure for an electronics project. There are many tutorials on youtube on how to do this with FreeCad or OpenSCAD, but none of them seem to translate well to SolveSpace.
If no tutorial exists, I have some specific questions.
1. What is the best way to make a cover using the dimensions of the bottom enclosure?
2. How would I add standoffs to screw a PCB into the box?
3. What is the best way to make screw holes to connect the cover to the base of the enclosure?
Thanks!
(no subject) (by Tom)
I think it would depend how you plan to manufacture the box? There's a tutorial for laser-cutting a box that slots together at https://solvespace.com/box.pl but making something to 3d print would be different.
For your specific questions, you would normally just make a hole (for a standoff or screw) by drawing a circle in the original sketch that gets extruded as union to make the part, or by making a new sketch with just the hole and extruding as difference. If the hole is threaded then you'd normally just model the tap drill diameter and not the threads, since your CAM software probably couldn't do anything useful with the modeled threads (assuming you're hand-tapping or pressing an insert or something).
For your specific questions, you would normally just make a hole (for a standoff or screw) by drawing a circle in the original sketch that gets extruded as union to make the part, or by making a new sketch with just the hole and extruding as difference. If the hole is threaded then you'd normally just model the tap drill diameter and not the threads, since your CAM software probably couldn't do anything useful with the modeled threads (assuming you're hand-tapping or pressing an insert or something).
(no subject) (by Andrew)
You can create a construction sketch to set the critical sizes of the box, and link and use it to constrain both the base and the lid drawing. That way, any change in dimensions can be propagated to both the base and the lid. That is the project use three, (or more) files; a dimension file, a base file, and a lid file. The dimension file should define both the outside and inside of the box in top view, along wit the centers of any screws used to assemble the box.
(no subject) (by Christopher Nassar)
Thanks for the replies.
I would be 3D printing the box.
Is there an example of using a construction sketch?
I would be 3D printing the box.
Is there an example of using a construction sketch?
(no subject) (by Christopher Nassar)
Also...I just want to say thank you for creating such a cool program.
(no subject) (by Andrew)
A construction is just a sketch. Link it into a new drawing and then start a new sketch and use it to constrain the new sketch.
(no subject) (by Paul)
If you can export an IDF file of the PCB you can link that file into an assembly to verify fit with the standoffs/holes in the base. You can also just link it in an empty sketch to take measurements prior to making your enclosure. I dont recommend using it as a base sketch to build on even though it may be possible. I'd go with Andrew's suggestion of a 2d sketch linked as a template for both base and cover design.
I'd like to hear how useful the IDF linking is in practice. If enough people want it, I could add support for the "components" as well as the PCB.
I'd like to hear how useful the IDF linking is in practice. If enough people want it, I could add support for the "components" as well as the PCB.
Post a reply to this comment: