{"id":1259,"date":"2014-10-03T04:00:02","date_gmt":"2014-10-03T11:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.168.3.4\/?p=1259"},"modified":"2026-06-02T05:15:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:15:40","slug":"the-enclosure-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cloudacm.com\/?p=1259","title":{"rendered":"Selecting an enclosure for your project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction – a brief history of project enclosures.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Project enclosures not only protect electronics from the elements\u00a0and provide a way to handle, they also\u00a0give it personality. \u00a0Various materials can be used to enclose electronics, such as wood, plastic, glass, or\u00a0cardboard. \u00a0The only limitation\u00a0is the process to create the enclosure. \u00a0Traditional plastic enclosures are available online and at most electronics parts stores. \u00a0These cases are relatively inexpensive. \u00a0Albeit they are easy to get, they have some drawbacks. \u00a0Rarely do they fit your project perfectly.<\/p>\n

Machining custom cases is a tasking process. \u00a03D printing\u00a0can simplify\u00a0this process\u00a0by using\u00a0CAD files. \u00a0These files can be created, modified, and shared\u00a0online. \u00a0This\u00a0enhances the entire build phase.<\/p>\n

Having a 3D printer may not be an option for some, so printing services are\u00a0key. \u00a0Shapeways<\/a> provides a method for creating enclosure models with CAD programs like\u00a0Sketchup<\/a> and Meshlab<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0Websites like Thingiverse<\/a> can be used as a model source. \u00a0Using the CAD program, the enclosure can be designed to meet the needs of the project.<\/p>\n

However, not\u00a0all enclosures fit this design. \u00a0Enclosures used in research and development are problematic. \u00a0Once the project is done, the used cases end up as waste. \u00a0This makes the\u00a0costs of manufacturing an enclosure wasteful.<\/p>\n

Recently I came across an item that was presented\u00a0at a Google IO event. \u00a0These VR headsets use an\u00a0Android smart phone as the display screen. \u00a0What’s clever is the headset is almost entirely made of cardboard.
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