I intend to mount the Arduino in a plastic enclosure with some push buttons and leds on the outside.
I have already tried pcb mounted tactile micro switches but its very difficult to align the opening of the box with the switch soldered on the PCB below. The end result doesn't look good !
What I am trying to achieve is something like this :
Can anyone suggest some kind of push button which will enable me to make the project look as nice as possible or any other tried and tested method ? I am sure other people are facing the same issue as well!
Or are you trying to align switching on a protoboard and are the buttons in the case already there (aka, that spacing is already fixed)?
No I need to drill the holes on the plastic cover exactly over the switches and leds on the pcb below. Right now the pcb is a stripboard but i plan to make a proper pcb later. Aligning all 6 switches ans 6 leds is not easy!
Drill holes in the panel for the switches to protrude.
Put a small dot of glue on the PCB at the center location where the switch is to be soldered.
Center a switch on each dot of glue.
Carefully position the panel over the switches, you can still adjust switch position as the glue has not dried.
Leave panel in place until the glue hardens.
Solder the switches to the PCB.
The switches will now be lined up perfectly with the panel holes.
The paper or masking tape (shim) is around the part of the switch that protrudes through the hole in the panel.
You only put enough around the switch to still let the switch fit through the hole.
After the glue sets, you take off the paper or tape.
The switch will now be equally space (centered) in the panel hole.
That's indeed a great tip for gluing switches! Need to remember that
But of no use if you want to PCB mount them. But I mention again (because of zero response), if you print a drilling template with all the drill centers on it it's not hard to get it nicely lined up. Just print it and glue (with glue stick) or tape it onto it, center punch the centers and start drilling. If your template and PCB match it's a perfect fit
he paper or masking tape (shim) is around the part of the switch that protrudes through the hole in the panel.
You only put enough around the switch to still let the switch fit through the hole.
After the glue sets, you take off the paper or tape.
The switch will now be equally space (centered) in the panel hole.
Ok ... i get it now... Yes it is a good idea indeed!
But of no use if you want to PCB mount them. But I mention again (because of zero response), if you print a drilling template with all the drill centers on it it's not hard to get it nicely lined up. Just print it and glue (with glue stick) or tape it onto it, center punch the centers and start drilling. If your template and PCB match it's a perfect fit
Yes in my case there will be PCB soldered on a stripboard.
I did try the template method before, however you still need to make sure that the pre-drtilled PCB holes (where the switch will be soldered) matches the switch position protruding from the box.
Hi,
Use tactile switches.
Drill holes in panel larger then the button tops.
Make it so the button tops are flush with the top of the panel.
Then make up a laminated panel to go over the top and make it look like membrane switches.