3D Printed Case Design
Imagine your cell phone is an exposed printed circuit board with no case. It still has all of the buttons, the screen, the microphone, speaker, and everything else it needs to function properly. Everything works, but you have to handle it very carefully to make sure everything stays together and doesn’t break.
Would you enjoy using it? Carry it with you everywhere you go? Keep it in your back pocket?
This might seem like a silly question with an obvious answer: “of course not!”
Nevertheless, even the best of devices start out as impractical but (perhaps) functional prototypes on someone’s test bench which require a proper case in the end.
The same holds true here at ENA Electronics. Whether we are designing a new device or offering our PCB reverse engineering service to a valued customer, we know just how important a good enclosure is.
In “Case” You Forgot
This post continues the series on the ENA Short-circuit Finding Brush. In Part I we mentioned what the device is, why it’s useful, and it’s technical specifications. Now it is time to show you our 3D printed case which makes the tool practical.
Our Case Design
We drew inspiration for our device from an old product which is no longer produced:
There are a few differences between the two, but the overall idea is the same: handheld wand, brush at one end, pinpoint probe at the other. There is also a reference probe which connects on the side. In our design the probe connects to a USB-C connector which doubles as the recharging port.There is also a power light and an on/off button.
Case Components in Detail
Our case consists of a clamshell, a brush clip, and two end caps.
Clamshell
Two halves come together as a clamshell to house all of the electronics, forming a wand shape:
Brush Clip
The brush clip slips inside the wand and constrains the bristles of the brush from becoming ruined while in use:
End Caps
The end caps are for protection while the tool is not in use. One cap covers up the brush and brush clip, while the other cap protects the user from the sharp probe tip.
Putting it all Together
In the end we are left with an ergonomic enclosure that fits nicely in the hand:
Perhaps you would like to have one in your hand. Well, you’ll just have to wait until Part III of this series! More details to come soon…