This got me thinking about how hobbyist electronics are designed. It seems that most projects don't have any enclosure while others build around existing enclosures from Hammond and other companies.
Yep, that's the way it's always been for the 30+ years I've been in hobby electronics.
With MakerBots being fairly affordable and services like Shapeways being inexpensive for small runs, when might we see the hobbyist electronics community begin using custom enclosures?
The answer is "only when you need too". For something you can't do with an off-the-shelf case.
If it's just your standard projects of a few switches and LED's in a box, there is no real advantage to printing one.
Injection moulded off-the-shelf cases are also streets ahead of 3D printed ones in terms of quality and finish. Absolutely no contest.
Also, I'm not sure how well 3D printed cases would silkscreen up either. With the likes of Polycase doing custom machined and silkscreened enclosures for one-off or small runs, the 3D enclosure can't really compete with that I suspect.
e.g Look at the superb professional finish:
I'd like to know what are the road blocks you face in using a custom or existing enclosure?
Existing:
a) Availability. If you don't have it in stock, at best you have a long trip to the local Farnell trade counter, or you order it next day.
Still, given that the Replicator tells me the uCurrent case will take 3+ hours to print, I can easily go to Farnell and back, and build the thing and drill the holes before the Makerbot has finished it's print. Still there is a wide selection of off-the-shelf cases available next or same day.
Jaycar is just down the road and have wide selection of cases.
Custom 3D printed:
a) Modelling the thing. This is not something that is trivial to do for most people.
b) The look and finish is very rough.
c) May not be cheap, certainly for big custom cases. Worse if it goofs and you have the re-print.
d) Time to print is long.
e) No shielding. Unless you use nickel screening paint.
d) Robustness. Likely not as good as injection moulded or diecast alloy cases.
Dave.