Project enclosures?

[iceisfun]

I'm looking for a good source for project enclosures with similar functionality, size and quality to bench top meters/func gens with color screens.

I'll want to mount a TFT, some buttons and input jacks.

Anyone have ideas?

[Bored@Work]

I found that quality desktop instrument metal enclosures for bench meters in the fluke/agilent form factor, including rubber bumpers and all that, are impossible to come by in single quantity. What you can get is cheap plastic like http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/lcd-panel-meter-for-digital-meter/203301_337476365.html

[Crazy Ape]

I found that quality desktop instrument metal enclosures for bench meters in the fluke/agilent form factor, including rubber bumpers and all that, are impossible to come by in single quantity. What you can get is cheap plastic like http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/lcd-panel-meter-for-digital-meter/203301_337476365.html

Not quite impossible to come by, just not as common.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Deluxe-aluminum-alloy-aluminum-computer-case-instrument-enclosure-105-347-300-measurement/950279708.html

You could also look at this style:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-Aluminum-instrument-enclosure-ODM-OEM-170mm-130mm-75mm/1206600579.html

[Bored@Work]

I found that quality desktop instrument metal enclosures for bench meters in the fluke/agilent form factor, including rubber bumpers and all that, are impossible to come by in single quantity. What you can get is cheap plastic like http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/lcd-panel-meter-for-digital-meter/203301_337476365.html

Not quite impossible to come by, just not as common.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Deluxe-aluminum-alloy-aluminum-computer-case-instrument-enclosure-105-347-300-measurement/950279708.html

You could also look at this style:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-Aluminum-instrument-enclosure-ODM-OEM-170mm-130mm-75mm/1206600579.html

This is not what I am talking about.

[Crazy Ape]

This is not what I am talking about.

Sorry.
Still somewhat better than the plastic boxes though.

[iceisfun]

That looks really good, how reliable is aliexpress to order from?  I'm kind of worried they don't take paypal and want direct cc info..

[iceisfun]

Is it normal to get a run of cases and then have the holes routed or to get them routed in china as you order them?

Its small enough for a home cnc box to do all the work

[AlfBaz]

That looks really good, how reliable is aliexpress to order from?  I'm kind of worried they don't take paypal and want direct cc info..

Have read of this thread
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/making-first-purchase-on-aliexpress/

[Crazy Ape]

That looks really good, how reliable is aliexpress to order from?  I'm kind of worried they don't take paypal and want direct cc info..

I've ordered over 60 things over the years and have never had a problem. I trust it more than eBay, which I've had the occasional issue with.

Basically, all items are tracked, and the seller doesn't get his money out of escrow until you get the goods.

[rdl]

I'm kind of worried they don't take paypal and want direct cc info..

A prepaid credit card might be good option, assuming you can get one where you are.

[edpalmer42]

All of the big parts distributors like Mouser and Digikey, have an assortment of enclosures from various brands.  Some of the big names are Hammond, Bud, or PacTec.  Even name brand test equipment uses them.  I've got a Triplett frequency counter that comes in a PacTec case.  However, none of them are cheap.  The 'bench top meter' style of cases are rather expensive.

Ed

[mamalala]

Check out the stuff that OKW offers, especially the EURO-CASE and VARIO-BOX stuff if you are about desktop test equipment stuff...

http://www.okw.co.uk/

Also check out the partner stuff, ROLEC, TEKO and SERPAC.

Yes, these things are not cheap, but they are of really great quality, and you have several options of how to build the actual enclosure. For example, you can have stuff with a plain aluminium front-plate, but then the same enclosure with a transaprent lid, etc.

Plus, if you ask nicely, they will send you a sample of an enclosure you are interrested in.

Greetings,

Chris

[alm]

Those plastic cases on Aliexpress look similar to the Bud IP-613x series, available from Digikey and Mouser.

[Jibby]

Search for a company called Comtech

[ivan747]

http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg10.htm
Might be too small, but they have other ones. One is similar in shape to the Hakko 936.

[ketil b]

I too have been on this serch.
Most of the equipment in this form factor is rack mountable and is of the size U2, half width and about 300mm to 350mm deep.
the best i have found is a Mini-ITX case
http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=450&idcategory=151

[iceisfun]

I tried to buy a case from aliexpress and made payment, money off my card and a few days later the seller says the price was wrong and it will cost more and now has the case listed for ~30 more.

Does that kind of thing happen often on aliexpress? I had high hopes for the case, but I don't like dealing with people like that.

[mrflibble]

Do you have a link for the seller / case? Always good to know which ones to avoid. First charging and then notifying the price is higher has a 100% scam smell.

[iceisfun]

Here is the case I tried to get

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/263880339.html

Here is the new price

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-handle-luxury-aluminum-alloy-computer-case-instrument-shell-105-307-260-measurement/950284335.html

Has anyone used these cases before? It looks pretty much like what I want

[mrflibble]

Mmmh, doesn't look good. If you check the store you'll see that it has lots of overpriced stuff in it. As in, lets see if a sucker buys it. And original pickit3, really? XD

I think I'd chargeback as soon as possible. Even if they decide to ship it at original agreed upon price after you protest. People that do this sort of trick will not stop at one trick.

[bombledmonk]

Here's a smallish assortment of enclosures narrowed on Digi-Key. 

Aside.....  Boxes on the DK website are much easier to view with this.
http://www.eewiki.net/display/Motley/advancedsearch+Greasemonkey+Userscript+for+Digikey.com