Designing PCB and Finding Matching Enclosure for Newbie - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: NY2KW
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 08:46:45 pm
content: I have been learning KICAD and I designed my first PCB. Now the most demanding part of completing this is figuring out the final size of the PCB to match an enclosure so that I can finalize mounting holes. Are there some typical standard prototype sizes with matching enclosures that are readily available? I need to be able to easily cut out two DB15 DSUB edge connectors. The number of potential enclosures is endless.... going through the Hammond catalog is numbing with regards to finding the PCB size mounting holes, etc. Any advice how I could narrow down the list?TIA, Jerry

author: SuzyC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2019, 02:41:48 am
content: Here's some good advice.First listen to the Rolling Stones, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction". This will help you understand your frustration.Next listen to "You Can't Always Get What You Want". An excellent guide to understanding what you need.Don't like the colors of the boxes offered? Can't handle red or green? Listen to "Paint It Black" for some guidance.Finally listen to the The Lovin' Spoonful, "Can You Finally Decide". This will guide you to how to make the final decision.Most importantly, look at the problem from the perspective of the PCB you've designed. Listen to "Give Me Shelter."This will help you get in tune to finally understand what comes first, the carriage or the horse, and how to serve the existential immediacy of making a decision to get the job done.Remember Jerry, you can always Jerry-Rig it.Sometimes Youtube can offer more wisdom than this board.

author: tru3533
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2019, 09:51:57 am
content: OR... you can select from 29,989 boxes from Digikeyhttps://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=enclosures

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2019, 10:07:10 am
content: Determine the area you need for your DSUB connector.IF you're thinking of making more than a few units, maybe pick 2-3 models of DSUB connector from different manufacturers, or 2-3 different footprint formats (in case one model is no longer stocked, you'd be able to fall back to the other model)Let's say each connector is 5cm x 3cm...Determine if you can design your circuit board as "pass-through" ex: dsub -> [ box ] -> dsubor if you prefer to have both connectors on same side.If that's the case, you'd need 2 x dsub width + some room between them + some room on the sides... so for example 2cm room on left+ dsub + 1cm between + dsub + 2cm = 15cmNow go at various distributors of components and look at project boxes that meet your needs.See Digikey, Mouser, Farnell/Newark , RSComponents etcYou have your constraint (width and height required for the dsub connectors), pick the height to be higher than your dsub + whatever high components you have on boardSome cases don't have screws, they have channels ( [ -- ] )in which you slide the circuit board. This is common for extruded aluminum boxes. If you pick such a box, you'll need to leave a few mm on the sides that will sit in the channel.A lot of cases will have two standoffs , some will have 4. Typically, they'll be on diagonally opposite corners of the case.You'll have to be careful of the dsub position if it's the kind soldered on the pcb, so the body of the dsub conn. won't be above the screw hole making it hard to screw the pcb to the case.

author: EEEnthusiast
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2019, 10:08:41 am
content: Step1 : Estimate the rough size of your PCB by initial placement of components and approximate routingStep2 : Search Digikey , Mouser or any other site for available case sizes. (They number in the thousands)Step3 : Choose a case size which is slightly larger than your calculated PCB.Step4: Draw the outline of your PCB as per the case. Some case manufacturers actually provide you with a PCB outline in DXF or DWG format.