How to modify food plastic containers to make them look more professional?

william chan

Electronics enclosures from farnell and digikey cost an arm and a leg.
Making your own mold does not make sense for 10 to 100 pcs.

Anybody tried modifying plastic food containers instead?
They come in all sizes.

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Ugha

You mean the Gladware stuff?

I imagine it'd work, and a Dremel would work for modding them as well as any other plastic case.

There's one issue I'd be concerned about though... if there are no holes in the container, and the project
is completely self-contained, you may have problems with air flow.

Some electronic components require air to function... and some will seriously overheat without air flow.

Unfortunately I don't have a list of what functions with or without air, but I know a good number of batteries
(mainly lead-acid) won't function properly without good air flow.

Can someone else speak up with what may or may not work without air?

Beau Schwabe

william,
Modifying a food container might prove more of a pain in the long run because they just aren't as aesthetically pleasing, especially for·projects.· People like nice clean square edges.· I'm sure that there are other places out there, but I just stumbled upon this site...
http://www.plastic-boxes.co.uk/page1.html
·
...The downside is that there is a minimum order, but it looks to be a few hundred rather than most companies that want you to buy in the thousands.· If you are planning on a couple to a few hundred units, the prices here look fairly reasonable.· Like I said though, there are likely other companies out there, this one was just one I happened to stumble on.
·



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Beau Schwabe

IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.

LoopyByteloose

In Taiwan, we have small modular plastic storage that is sold at stationary stores. These are tiny stackable drawers, very rectangular and hard plastic. Food cases are mostly soft plastic with rounded corners and slip on covers, I find the drawer is something I can mount a board inside and easily open to change a battery.

Since these boxes are retail, you can pretty much seek out what works for your project without being told you have to buy a few hundred or more.

The food cases are good all weather projects. Once you close the case, you can seal the edge with packing tape.

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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)

These aren't food containers, but I was able to pick these up for .25 for four
at a local thift shop. Since VHS is pretty much officially dead, they are
everywhere here.

OBC

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william chan

Kramer,

Any photos of your boxes?


Oldbit,

I was also looking for a similar hinged cover box but it needs more height and smaller.
Some streaming tape cartridge boxes seem perfect for me, but how to buy more boxes without paying for the tape cartridge?

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www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my

PJAllen

"streaming tape cartridge boxes"?· You mean, like cassette tape cases?

william chan

Yes, but not the old audio tapes.
The digital backup tapes, where we used to backup hard disks, before CD writers.
They have a hinged cover with slightly frosted semi-hard plastic and about 1 inch height.

Do you know where to buy such boxes?

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www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Try these guys. At those prices, they're probably polystyrene, not polycarbonate. But it you don't need to make many mods, that may be okay.

-Phil

william chan

Phil,

These boxes seem ok.... can they be drilled to make holes?

But they don't ship outside USA!

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www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

William,

Assuming they're polystyrene, they can be drilled; but you have to be careful, else they'll crack. (Polycarbonate or PVC would be easier to work with.)

Those boxes probably come from your side of the Pacific anyway. Perhaps you can find the same or similar over there. Try using www.alibaba.com to start your search.

-Phil

Carl Hayes

Ugha said...
one issue I'd be concerned about though... if there are no holes in the container, and the project
is completely self-contained, you may have problems with air flow.

I don't think you'll have problems with air flow.· You might have problems without air flow, if the equipment generates much heat.· So drill a couple extra holes.
Ugha said...
·I know a good number of batteries (mainly lead-acid) won't function properly without good air flow.

Huh?· The only batteries I can think of that require air flow are fuel cells, which require air for oxygen supply.

Lead-acid batteries work perfectly well in sealed spaces.· However, they generate free oxygen and free hydrogen, which form an explosive mixture if not flushed.· For safety, the enclosure ought to be ventilated to remove these gases.· But the batteries themselves don't need any air flow at all.

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· -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

There are also sealed lead-acid gel cells, which do not outgas under normal operating conditions. However, if they're charged too quickly, the pressure seal can open.

-Phil

willy1067

Since I finished my CNC I make them myself;

·http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=656332



·http://pinellas-sign-manufacturer.com



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Fernando Gomez


Never compare yourself with anyone else, there will always be someone bigger·or·smaller·than you.