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| | = Introduction = | | = Introduction = |
| − | Cases/Enclosures for electronics project are often a bit of a pain. They cost too much, it is hard to find the right size, and after one is in hand it can be quite a bit of work to finish off all the holes, mounting bits and so on. Perhaps 3D printing can come to the rescue. I looked around for what are called parametric models of cases -- I did not find any that were quite what I had in mind so I designed my own. | + | Cases/Enclosures for electronics project are often a bit of a pain. They cost too much, it is hard to find the right size, and after one is in hand it can be quite a bit of work to finish off all the holes, mounting bits and so on. Perhaps 3D print can come to the rescue. I looked around for what are called parametric models of cases -- I did not find any that were quite what I had in mind so I designed my own. |
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| − | This is an article started by Russ Hensel, see [[http://www.opencircuits.com/User:Russ_hensel]] for a bit of info. This project is now at github: [[https://github.com/russ-hensel/Parametric-Case-Enclosure Parametric-Case-Enclosure]]. | + | This is an article started by Russ Hensel, see [["http://www.opencircuits.com/index.php?title=Russ_hensel#About My Articles" '''About My Articles''']] for a bit of info. This project is just about ready for upload to github. |
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| − | [[Image:Case tb.png|500px]]
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| − | * '''For a bunch more pictures of this object see: [[Pics of 3D Printed Case]] '''
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| − | * For the instructable version see: '''[https://www.instructables.com/id/Any-Size-Enclosure-You-Want/ Any Size Enclosure You Want: 4 Steps ]'''
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| | = Requirements = | | = Requirements = |
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| | == Get the Files == | | == Get the Files == |
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| | + | See github: ....... |
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| − | See github: [[https://github.com/russ-hensel/Parametric-Case-Enclosure Parametric-Case-Enclosure]]
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| | == Modifications I Might Make == | | == Modifications I Might Make == |
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| | * Perhaps slide in slots for boards. | | * Perhaps slide in slots for boards. |
| | * Better control of the bolt holes. | | * Better control of the bolt holes. |
| − | * Chamfers would be easy to add at least non parametrically.
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| | = Use = | | = Use = |
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| | == Spreadsheet == | | == Spreadsheet == |
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| − | So simple just open the file, open the spreadsheet ( double click on the spreadsheet in the model ) and enter the values ( no units, assumes mm ).
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| − | The values that are supposed to work ( let me know if they do not ) are:
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| − | *height -- the case height
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| − | *width -- the case width
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| − | *length -- the case length, x direction
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| − | *thick -- the case thickness. I started with 3 but 2 mm also seems ok. Up to you, your printer and material.
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| − | *leave the rest alone
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| | == Sketches == | | == Sketches == |
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| − | Each face has a sketch associated with a face. Find them in the model and edit. All are pockets. Unused items can be slid to the side. Sketches need not be fully constrained, but it is a good idea ( unless off to the side )
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| − | Sketch names:
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| − | *RightEdgePunch
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| − | *LeftEdgePunch
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| − | *BotPunch
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| − | *ToipPunch
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| − | *RearPunch
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| − | *TopPunch
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| | == Fusions and Export == | | == Fusions and Export == |
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| − | Pick the sides you want to print: for example lets say you want to print in 2 parts, the top and rear as one and the rest as one part with them bolted together.
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| − | The punched ( with holes ) sides are named:
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| − | *FrontPunchedDrilled ( or FrontPunched if you do not want the bolt holes )
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| − | *RearPunchedDrilled
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| − | *BotPunchedDrilled
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| − | *TopPuhchedDrilled
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| − | *LeftEdgePunched
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| − | *RightEdgePunched
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| − | First create the fusion. Go to the part workbench. Select:
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| − | *FrontPunchedDrilled
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| − | *RearPunchedDrilled
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| − | Then apply the union operation. You will get a new part: Fusion xx, you might rename it top_and_rear, but you need not keep it around long, so perhaps it does not need a rename.
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| − | Next, go to the mesh workbench and then select your last fusion/union object and apply the Meshes Create Mesh from Shape ( I use .1mm standard mesh ). You will again get a new object, xxx ( meshed )
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| − | It will appear right on top of the fusion so you may or may not want to tinker with the part visibilities.
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| − | The mesh workbench has a Meshes -> Evaluate and Repair function. Use it. Sometimes it finds things other times not. Why not be safe.
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| − | With the meshed selected go to the File export and export the mesh as an stl file. Give this a good name to make it easy to find later top_bot.stl perhaps.
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| − | Repeat the above but using the parts:
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| − | *BotPunchedDrilled
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| − | *TopPuhchedDrilled
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| − | *LeftEdgePunched
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| − | *RightEdgePunched
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| − | The stl files are now ready for your 3D printer workflow. ( Which may ask for additional mesh fix up, this has always gone fine for me. )
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| | == Configuration Examples == | | == Configuration Examples == |
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| − | This will be coming later, perhaps just in pictures, for now one example see: [[https://github.com/russ-hensel/Parametric-Case-Enclosure Parametric-Case-Enclosure]]
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| − | = Related Links =
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| − | == GitHub ==
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| − | Some results from github search on FreeCad and Enclosure or Case
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| − | *'''[https://github.com/russ-hensel/Parametric-Case-Enclosure russ-hensel/Parametric-Case-Enclosure: Parametric Case-Enclosure in FreeCad for electronics or other projects. In FreeCad ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://github.com/maygli/EnclosureGenerator maygli/EnclosureGenerator: FreeCAD plugin to generate enclosures for electronic devices ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://github.com/DaniDiaz71/DSS-SG100-Signal-Generator-Case DaniDiaz71/DSS-SG100-Signal-Generator-Case: FreeCad files and other stuff about DSS SG100 Signal Generator Case // SP: Caja para generador de señales DSS SG100 ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://github.com/afiskon/freecad-rtlsdr-case afiskon/freecad-rtlsdr-case: Simple 3D-printed case for RTL-SDR ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://github.com/dejongh/raspberrypicase dejongh/raspberrypicase: FreeCAD files and Python script for a Raspberry Pi case that can be 3D printed and customised with your text. ]'''
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| − | == Search Thingiverse ==
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| − | Not all I found. All these should link to FreeCad source.
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/search/page:4?q=freecad+enclosure&sa=&dwh=345a5ce9095b62b Search Thingiverse - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2741239/#files TRONXY P802 Power Supply Switch Cover by justsean - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:721859/#files RaspberryPi Squeezebox by reparator - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:214167/#files Raspberry Pi enclosure remix by papergeek - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1986658 Orange Pi Zero Case by xoan - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:941903/#files DivMMC EnJoy Enclosure (Sinclair ZX Spectrum) by LCD - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | *'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13655 Parametric Project Enclosures by thehans - Thingiverse ]'''
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| − | [[category:FreeCad]] [[Category:CAD/3DPrint]] | + | [[category:FreeCad]] |
