Suggestion for C3 case
Oldbitcollector (Jeff)
Posts: 8,091
I thought I'd post this publicaly instead of emailing the request to Parallax as there might be a refinement that I just don't see.
First of all, the C3 case is AWESOME! I feel like I have a piece of finished hardware instead of a PCB board. The addon expansion board opens a world of hardware upgrade possibilities.
The only issue with the case is that once you close the box, access is limited unless you squeeze a three wire connector through the power switch hole. (I've done this.)
I can see additional connectors being put in the expansion board (facing upward), but once you remove the top of the C3 case it's loose and wants to fall apart. The top is really the glue that holds it all together.
The request: Is is possible to get a C3 top cut which provides a circular hole (as large as possible) which will still hold the casing together while providing access to the expansion board?\
Maybe theres another solution that I just don't see? I really don't want to use a rubber band to hold it together.
OBC
First of all, the C3 case is AWESOME! I feel like I have a piece of finished hardware instead of a PCB board. The addon expansion board opens a world of hardware upgrade possibilities.
The only issue with the case is that once you close the box, access is limited unless you squeeze a three wire connector through the power switch hole. (I've done this.)
I can see additional connectors being put in the expansion board (facing upward), but once you remove the top of the C3 case it's loose and wants to fall apart. The top is really the glue that holds it all together.
The request: Is is possible to get a C3 top cut which provides a circular hole (as large as possible) which will still hold the casing together while providing access to the expansion board?\
Maybe theres another solution that I just don't see? I really don't want to use a rubber band to hold it together.
OBC
Comments
Seriously, I expect Parallax will be releasing the drawing files for the enclosure like they did for the PMBE (http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/enclosure/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/706/Default.aspx).
http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PropellerProtoBoardEnclosureDXF.zip
Once those drawings are available, it's very easy to customize the top cover by adding a hole (whatever size/shape you want) or multiple holes. There are numerous places out there that will laser cut them for you. Or, maybe you could convince Parallax to run some
Of course, the same thing holds for the side panels. Need a few extra holes for connectors on the expansion board? Add them to the drawings and get some cut.
I have yet to receive my complete C3 kit with the enclosure so I'm stuck using my "naked" C3 - at least I don't need to worry about where to route the wires.
Actually, we're working on another enclosure right now for another board, and we wanted to be able to do something like you're asking about for the C3.
The solution that we came up with is that the "bottom" cover has a couple large "knock-outs", that under normal circumstances, are not knocked-out (and the piece is used as the "bottom").
However, if you wanted access through the top of the enclosure, you could put the "top" on the bottom, and then knock out the knock-outs on the "bottom" piece and place it on top. Tough to understand in text format, I know - I'll post some pics about this shortly.
Anyway, the knocked-out bottom becomes the top, and the un-defiled top, becomes the bottom - is the basic idea. If you ever wanted to "return to normal", then you could simply reverse the top and bottom plates. Sure, the bottom plate would have knocked out knock-outs, but since it's on the bottom, in most cases it wouldn't be a big deal.
-Matt
During the recent Savage Circuits chat with Ken someone brought up a good suggestion that might fit in here. The C3 kit includes two sets of side panels for standard/double height case, but only one set of top/bottom panels. Why not include a second set of top/bottom panels so that two enclosures could be made? For proto purposes the second set could have the knockout on the top panel.
The cost of the additional materials would not be much, but the perceived value proposition suddenly doubles - two cases for the additional $50 or so, plus a whole lot of flexibility
edit: It was zappman who suggested it
That's not a bad idea - we'll think on it.
Some additional consideration: True, the raw plastic material is inexpensive - which on the surface seems like it'd be easy to include. However, we do have certain manufacturing fixtures/templates that produce the best yield for the kits as they currently are. Some changes would be needed that cost addt'l $.
And, much of the cost of the case isn't the plastic, it's the mfring time, hardware, kitting, machine maintenance, administrative/sales costs, and, of course, Ken's Lamborghini car payment, insurance, and traffic fines. (not:-)
So, if we left out the hardware for instance, then you really don't have two enclosures - one case assembled at one time. Adding the hardware means the BOM costs are higher, which means the sale price must be higher.
So, what we need to decide is: Would a higher sale price be acceptable, given the perceived higher value-add, by doing such a thing? Your thoughts?
One thing I do know - I'm always amazed - knowing what our production costs are - at how low Ken wants to sell some of this stuff. This is countered by the fact that he won't let us compromise on quality, - sometimes I think he's giving it away!
All Ye be thankful that I'm not in Ken's position :-)
-Matt
The .dxf should be up soon - we're waiting for our intrepid Webmasters to get it there:)
It's a "single unit" dxf file.
-Matt
Any idea when the C3 and C3 Full Kit will be in stock?
OBC
Hey OBC - I don't think that's possible :-)
-Matt
Matt, I appreciate the complexity from Ken's end, and am glad I'm on the consumer end of the equation, which has fewer rational variables, but more emotive ones (impulse purchasing). Personally I like to buy two or three of almost anything that looks useful. So a few extra $ for a "more complete" kit that could make two enclosures is easy for me to justify. I almost never regret spending a bit extra, but come 11pm and trying to get a working prototype together for the next day I'm usually very appreciative of any extra flexibility, printed manuals etc that are included.
Perhaps there is a compromise, what if the top plate for "proto mode" was actually just the end 3/4" of each end of that top plate? You'd end up with a nice big opening, it would still hold together, but not use much extra material.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129277-New-Enclosure-for-the-Gadget-Gangster-Propeller-Platform
-Matt
Also, you can now order individual enclosures:
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/c3/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/725/Default.aspx
But C3s are still hard to come by.
I'm told C3's one week from today.
The production run is for seven (7) units...get your order in soon!
Kidding! We'll should have *some* in stock by Friday, and then another *pile* the following Monday...
-Matt
I'm ok without the enclosure, but I'd like to see a few prototype boards.
My situation isn't too bad since I do have a non-kit C3 (sitting 4 feet away from me right now, but not doing anything interesting).