Custom Plastic Cases help needed

[Rudolf Ladyzhenskii]

Hi, all

I have designed a unit and I am using plastic cases from Radio Parts. I have
to drill all the holes and it does not look as pretty as i want it to be.
Now I have some customers who are happy with the unit and I have to build
more units. To make my life easier and to improve appearance, i need custom
cases made up. Nothing special -- rectangular box with few holes. Ideally,
some labels will be printed on the box.

Does anyone make platic cases to order that do not cost an arm and a leg in
small quantities (20-30 at a time)?
I am prepared to change PCB layout if this will make it easier. At the
moment box is about 50mmx80mmx25mm.

Thanks,
Rudolf

 

[The real Andy]

Hi, all

I have designed a unit and I am using plastic cases from Radio Parts. I have
to drill all the holes and it does not look as pretty as i want it to be.
Now I have some customers who are happy with the unit and I have to build
more units. To make my life easier and to improve appearance, i need custom
cases made up. Nothing special -- rectangular box with few holes. Ideally,
some labels will be printed on the box.

Does anyone make platic cases to order that do not cost an arm and a leg in
small quantities (20-30 at a time)?

In short, no. I have seen low volume plastics manufacturers that do stuff
cheapish, but you have to fork out big bucks for the mould and they still
wont look at runs as small as you suggest, unless you are willing to pay big
bucks. The only suggestion I can offer is a place up here in sunny
queensland known as the queensland manufacturing institute. Thay make a plug
from wax using stereo lithography, then make a silicon mould which is good
for 5-10 units. This method is not bad, still costs a few bucks and the
resultant case is often slightly different from unit to unit. There may be
similar place near you, not sure. The place i mention in brisbane is located
at the Eight Mile Plains technology park.

I am prepared to change PCB layout if this will make it easier. At the
moment box is about 50mmx80mmx25mm.

If you can make changes, the best bet is to check out the OK or OKI (cant
remember exact name) website who manufacturer a huge range of cases. There
is also another mob out there but my memory is pathetic and I cant remember
the name. You local Soanar rep should be able to help you out here. Add this
with some cheap labels from your local industrial graphics house and your
product should scrub up quite nicely.

 

[CyBorg_0091]

Perspex
Bye it in sheets and cut it to size to make a box's.It comes in all sorts of
fancy colors.

I use it to make computer cases as it sure beats paying $80 a case.
screw motherboards directly to it or with plstic spaces if you are being
nice to the circuts for heat etc.
I end up with something the size of an AT case instreat of this giant ATX
thing which takes up a full table

 

[Mark van der Eynden]

Hi, all

I have designed a unit and I am using plastic cases from Radio Parts. I have
to drill all the holes and it does not look as pretty as i want it to be.
Now I have some customers who are happy with the unit and I have to build
more units. To make my life easier and to improve appearance, i need custom
cases made up. Nothing special -- rectangular box with few holes. Ideally,
some labels will be printed on the box.

Does anyone make platic cases to order that do not cost an arm and a leg in
small quantities (20-30 at a time)?
I am prepared to change PCB layout if this will make it easier. At the
moment box is about 50mmx80mmx25mm.

Thanks,
Rudolf

I'm not quite sure why you cant make it look pretty if you only need
'a few holes'.

If it's for switches, try to use ones that fully cover up the hole
rather than sit in it. If it's LEDs, use bezels.

If it's alignment problems, make a drilling guide.

If it's the need for an odd shape (say RS232) buy a punch and die.

If it's anything else give us a hint, someone has probably has a
'solution' for small quantities.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Ralph]

I did this a few years ago in Melbourne. I got the holes cut with a laser
for a few dollars per box and a setup cost.

 

[Rudolf Ladyzhenskii]

Thanks, Andy,


I found them. Company name is OKW. (www2.okw.com)

Rudolf

 

[Andy]

Hi, all

I have designed a unit and I am using plastic cases from Radio Parts. I have
to drill all the holes and it does not look as pretty as i want it to be.
Now I have some customers who are happy with the unit and I have to build
more units. To make my life easier and to improve appearance, i need custom
cases made up. Nothing special -- rectangular box with few holes. Ideally,
some labels will be printed on the box.

Does anyone make platic cases to order that do not cost an arm and a leg in
small quantities (20-30 at a time)?
I am prepared to change PCB layout if this will make it easier. At the
moment box is about 50mmx80mmx25mm.

Thanks,
Rudolf

Hello Rudolf,

If you can live with a generic box the following link may solve your
problems

http://www.acetronics.com.au/3_milling.html

I have never dealt with this company so I cannot give any
recommendations - might be worth a try as they also apparently do the
screenprinting as well.

Andy