Hey all, Are there any good project cases for Arduino? I can't for the life iff me find a single one. What I mean is boxes with pre-made holes for USB, power, perhaps for switches and LEDs and maybe also for displays etc? I am pretty good at electronics - started my career as electronics engineer - but I am no good at all at drilling holes. The example pics show a little box that I built that shows me temperature comfort ranges (using math to work out what comfort zone we're in). The electronics was trivial; the math took a little while; but the box took almost a week, struggling with drill bits and cursing loudly... Having discovered Arduino, I am making circuits like crazy (the latest is a lightning detector for my ham radio equipment), but all of them are just board with wires. I do NOT look forward to spending another week of whatever life I have left trying to drill a square opening in a box... Any advice welcome! [IMG_4244] [IMG_4241] [IMG_4252] [temp-humi]

Larry: that link is dead (for me anyway)?

Hello I´m using a 3D printer to make cases or front panels with all holes and cut outs necessary.

Yes, I am thinking I'll need to save up for that - and to learn how to use it... this is not my preferred skill building, but if it really is the only way... :frowning:

Hello Take a view here. Fusion 360 | 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, & PCB Cloud-Based Software | Autodesk Fusion 360 is a platform for 3D CAD, modeling, manufacturing, industrial design, electronics, and mechanical engineering. Subscribe or download for free.

See this posts and subsequent: [image] Share tips you have come across General Electronics Sooner or later you will need to make a rectangular hole for an LCD or other component in one of your projects. A CNC machine takes about 8 seconds to do this. If you don’t have access to a CNC machine, you can make reasonable rectangular holes by hand. Tools you will need: [One.jpg] Auger bit file: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,320,43072,43089&p=70693 The key to doing a good job is to use four jointed hardwood guides. [Two.jpg] [Three.jpg] [Four.jpg] . [Six]

A nibbler is a good thing if you plan to make square holes . . . [image] Also review this PDF: 52a2a596b02f04e3fa1a4cb9f04baf671a773f3d.pdf 580.34 KB

I've had plastic bezels cut by a local sign company, they have a flat bed machine for cutting plastic sheet. I would imagine there are companies near you with the right machines for cutting plastic or metal accurately. If you buy pre made boxes with slot in panels you should be able to find someone to cut the panels or make new ones for you.

I layout my front (or rear) panel on a drawing program. Then I print it on a normal printer (any). You may have to play with the program to get a true 1:1 from your printer. Tape it onto the front panel and use a small pin punch to mark the hole centers and corners of any not round holes. Then for the non round holes I scribe a line on the panel between the dots. I use a sharp exacto (backwards) as a scribe. Likely for the USB and Power in you show, I would drill a hole then I would only have to file the corners. Any step drill will work. They are wonderful! I usually color the steps with different color markers so I know where to stop drilling. They are not cheap but for only plastic you could start with a less expensive one. I personally don't use a nibbler often. They leave marks on the panel, especially on a softer plastic (abs). Dremel's can be useful but they are hard to control by hand. Greenlee has different punches for odd shaped holes, RS232 Sub D etc but they are costly. Good luck.

Project case advice (my Achilles heel)

Projects General Guidance

LarryD July 1, 2021, 7:38pm 10

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Project case advice (my Achilles heel)

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