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Who wants Context Engineering Boxes for ExpressPCBs — Parallax Forums

Who wants Context Engineering Boxes for ExpressPCBs

CannibalRoboticsCannibalRobotics Posts: 535
edited 2009-02-28 03:39 in General Discussion
I received allot of email feedback on the Context Engineering boxes I used for a rover controller project. These have the cool feature of being almost exactly the right size for an ExpressPCB mini-board which is 3.8" x 2.5". (see photo) The only problem is that the standard size Context box is about 0.5" too long. I'm talking to context about a custom run sized for the mini-boards. I'm trying to gauge the market here. I'm not looking to make a bunch of money here so they would be cost competitive with Fry's and other mail order houses.

Who would want how many over a year's time?
Brushed Alum or Anodized Black?

Jim-

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Comments

  • Cole LoganCole Logan Posts: 196
    edited 2009-02-27 17:16
    I used one of one of those in a recent project that I built and wonder where it came from. I would have to say that they are really nice. At the moment I don't have any project that would need something like this but I wish I did.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-02-27 17:22
    Interesting...if these were the width of the Mini Boards I could see it being useful. Would customizable faceplates be available as well?

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  • Cole LoganCole Logan Posts: 196
    edited 2009-02-27 17:29
    Looking on there websites it says that they would do custom cutting on the holes. The problem that I could see is that it would increase the cost it might not be worth it if unless a lot of people need it.
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-02-27 18:20
    Interesting. Is the width equal to the long dimension of a MiniBoard (3.5") or to the short dimension (2.8")? I'd like to see enclosures like ths, 3.5" wide and 5" long so I could put two (or 4) MiniBoards in there. I use MiniBoards for most of my projects. My current project has (so far) three of'em, and a fourth to be added later. It'll need more panel space than these can provide, though. :>|

    With boxes like these I wouldn't need to reserve space for mounting pads, which would be nice.

    Oh, and definitely anodized black.

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  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2009-02-27 18:50
    The problem I see with these is that you can ONLY have things sticking out through the two small end caps, because you must slide the PCB in the slots. So you cannot have (for example) LEDs coming through the top.

    I'd prefer the PCB slots to be in the end caps, then you could put things coming out any surface.

    Bean.

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  • CannibalRoboticsCannibalRobotics Posts: 535
    edited 2009-02-27 19:32
    The box is consistent in size along the 'skinny' dimension of the mini-board, OR the rails slide down the long side of the mini-board. This picture shows two mini-boards inserted into the rail slots of the top and bottom halves of a single case. My previous post showed the end-view of the closed case.
    Comments regarding end caps are correct. It is difficult to use the broad faces of the case but not impossible, every project is a little different. In my case (no pun intended) I just used 90 degree headers off of the ends of the boards so that it all lined up point out the end. It's nice too in that this is about the perfect size for one board, a complement of batteries and some connectors on the ends. PWM, Camera, power, A/D and programming are all on that header. For multiple boards in a single box, you can just stack them like I did.
    One of the best parts about using these boxes is the space saved from those pesky mounting holes and hardware.
    You do have to be aware in design though. Traces too close to the edge can short to ground. (~0.05" from the edge is good enough).

    Jim-

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  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2009-02-28 03:39
    Yes,
    I would say this looks like a good idea. I've only been whining my heart out about how difficult enclosures are to deal with and begging somebody to come up with a modular approach to fast prototype enclosures. Maybe you're onto fulfilling my dream of not agonizing over every little box.

    How much do these things cost???

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=787347
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