On 26 Mar 2004 16:01:04 -0800, valemike@yahoo.com (Mike V.) wrote:>Yeah, $15 per 100 seems typical for a chassis that size; probably gets >down to $10 for thousands. > >I have found plastic boxes that go for around $5-$10 each. I just >wonder what is the typical cost to cut 3-4 holes for the RS232 sockets >and ethernet for. I guess it's a few hundred for initial tooling, and >who knows what the per-100 quantities' labor costs for cutting. >Mike, ouch!. that's expensive... go to home depot in the electrical section and purchase those blue plastic switch housings for 88 cents. they make excellent cases for small projects. heck, I've used old empty tuna fish cans too. Remove "HeadFromButt", before replying by email.
Empty Hub Enclosures?
Started by ●March 24, 2004
Reply by ●March 27, 20042004-03-27
Reply by ●March 27, 20042004-03-27
On 26 Mar 2004 16:01:04 -0800, the renowned valemike@yahoo.com (Mike V.) wrote:>Yeah, $15 per 100 seems typical for a chassis that size; probably gets >down to $10 for thousands. > >I have found plastic boxes that go for around $5-$10 each. I just >wonder what is the typical cost to cut 3-4 holes for the RS232 sockets >and ethernet for. I guess it's a few hundred for initial tooling, and >who knows what the per-100 quantities' labor costs for cutting.The box makers have CNC equipment that makes the per-part costs fairly reasonable, provided you consider the box cost reasonable to begin with. I believe some also design the molds so that a plate can be replaced for cutouts at a tooling cost that is quite reasonable compared to a whole mold (or even just a set of inserts). But the per- part price is still probably 10:1-20:1 over what a dedicated injection mold would yield in moderate volume. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Reply by ●March 29, 20042004-03-29
Hi Mike, take a look at Bopla's (www.bopla.de, they seem to have an online shop, too) ALUBOS series. These are aluminium profiles where you slide the PCB in an close the case with a front and a backside lid. For production you would still need someone to mill the needed openings in these lids, but for the prototype you could go along with making these openings by hand (drilling holes and remove the remainder with a file or rasp). HTH, Jens Mike V. wrote:> Thanks Lewin, Jay, and Alan for your input. > > We definitely have to design our own metal enclosures for the motor > driver project we're doing, especially since it has to fit in a very > thin but long cavity. so we've already looked into Lewin's metal > extrusion method. > > As for the hub-like box... > I particularly like Jay's way of "gutting" some hubs. The prototype > can't get any prettier than that. In the long run, I do have to think > of whether i go plastic vs. metal. They'll both look pretty if i get > anodized black metal, or even black plastic. > > For you guys interested in sources for enclosures, i found > www.tekoenclosures.com after browsing thru EEPN.com > > I'll be looking at the URLs that you guys recommended too. > > > > > > > valemike@yahoo.com (Mike V.) wrote in message news:<8188616d.0403241336.4743fd61@posting.google.com>... > >>I want to make a board that has: >>1. ethernet socket >>2. two rs232 ports >>3. one rs485 ports >> >>And put an enclosure around it. Do you guys know of any enclosure >>companies that sell plastic enclosures that look like your small >>typical Netgear or Linksys hubs, which i can just get the holes cut >>out? I need that "cool" look, rather than just going to Digikey and >>getting a simple plastic rectangular box. (Nor can i afford to put >>$25K down just to get custom plastic molds :-( >> >>Thanks, >>Mike
