Project enclosures? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: iceisfun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 08:10:39 pm
content: I'm looking for a good source for project enclosures with similar functionality, size and quality to bench top meters/func gens with color screens.I'll want to mount a TFT, some buttons and input jacks.Anyone have ideas?

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 09:23:18 pm
content: I found that quality desktop instrument metal enclosures for bench meters in the fluke/agilent form factor, including rubber bumpers and all that, are impossible to come by in single quantity. What you can get is cheap plastic likehttp://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/lcd-panel-meter-for-digital-meter/203301_337476365.html

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 10:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 05, 2013, 09:23:18 pmNot quite impossible to come by, just not as common.http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Deluxe-aluminum-alloy-aluminum-computer-case-instrument-enclosure-105-347-300-measurement/950279708.htmlYou could also look at this style:http://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-Aluminum-instrument-enclosure-ODM-OEM-170mm-130mm-75mm/1206600579.html

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 10:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: Crazy Ape on September 05, 2013, 10:01:21 pmThis is not what I am talking about.

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 10:15:42 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on September 05, 2013, 10:09:25 pmSorry.Still somewhat better than the plastic boxes though.

author: iceisfun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 10:43:14 pm
content: That looks really good, how reliable is aliexpress to order from? I'm kind of worried they don't take paypal and want direct cc info..

author: iceisfun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 10:56:58 pm
content: Is it normal to get a run of cases and then have the holes routed or to get them routed in china as you order them?Its small enough for a home cnc box to do all the work

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 11:33:24 pm
content: Quote from: iceisfun on September 05, 2013, 10:43:14 pmHave read of this threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/making-first-purchase-on-aliexpress/

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2013, 11:35:07 pm
content: Quote from: iceisfun on September 05, 2013, 10:43:14 pmI've ordered over 60 things over the years and have never had a problem. I trust it more than eBay, which I've had the occasional issue with.Basically, all items are tracked, and the seller doesn't get his money out of escrow until you get the goods.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 12:13:57 am
content: QuoteA prepaid credit card might be good option, assuming you can get one where you are.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 12:48:34 am
content: All of the big parts distributors like Mouser and Digikey, have an assortment of enclosures from various brands. Some of the big names are Hammond, Bud, or PacTec. Even name brand test equipment uses them. I've got a Triplett frequency counter that comes in a PacTec case. However, none of them are cheap. The 'bench top meter' style of cases are rather expensive.Ed

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 01:58:01 am
content: Check out the stuff that OKW offers, especially the EURO-CASE and VARIO-BOX stuff if you are about desktop test equipment stuff...http://www.okw.co.uk/Also check out the partner stuff, ROLEC, TEKO and SERPAC.Yes, these things are not cheap, but they are of really great quality, and you have several options of how to build the actual enclosure. For example, you can have stuff with a plain aluminium front-plate, but then the same enclosure with a transaprent lid, etc.Plus, if you ask nicely, they will send you a sample of an enclosure you are interrested in.Greetings,Chris

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2013, 12:30:01 pm
content: Those plastic cases on Aliexpress look similar to the Bud IP-613x series, available from Digikey and Mouser.

author: Jibby
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 10:27:28 am
content: Search for a company called Comtech

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 11:28:05 am
content: http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg10.htmMight be too small, but they have other ones. One is similar in shape to the Hakko 936.

author: ketil b
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 11:38:56 am
content: I too have been on this serch.Most of the equipment in this form factor is rack mountable and is of the size U2, half width and about 300mm to 350mm deep.the best i have found is a Mini-ITX casehttp://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=450&idcategory=151

author: iceisfun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 03:51:16 pm
content: I tried to buy a case from aliexpress and made payment, money off my card and a few days later the seller says the price was wrong and it will cost more and now has the case listed for ~30 more.Does that kind of thing happen often on aliexpress? I had high hopes for the case, but I don't like dealing with people like that.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 03:58:09 pm
content: Do you have a link for the seller / case? Always good to know which ones to avoid. First charging and then notifying the price is higher has a 100% scam smell.

author: iceisfun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 04:04:41 pm
content: Here is the case I tried to gethttp://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/263880339.htmlHere is the new pricehttp://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-handle-luxury-aluminum-alloy-computer-case-instrument-shell-105-307-260-measurement/950284335.htmlHas anyone used these cases before? It looks pretty much like what I want

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 04:16:33 pm
content: Mmmh, doesn't look good. If you check the store you'll see that it has lots of overpriced stuff in it. As in, lets see if a sucker buys it. And original pickit3, really? XDI think I'd chargeback as soon as possible. Even if they decide to ship it at original agreed upon price after you protest. People that do this sort of trick will not stop at one trick.

author: bombledmonk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 05:08:20 pm
content: Here's asmallish assortmentof enclosures narrowed on Digi-Key.Aside..... Boxes on the DK website are much easier to view with this.http://www.eewiki.net/display/Motley/advancedsearch+Greasemonkey+Userscript+for+Digikey.com