Here’s a problem I suspect many gadget makers face…we create a cool new electronic gizmo, only to be told by the other resident(s) of the household: “You are not putting that…that…thing on the nightstand / bookshelf / kitchen counter / etc.”
DigiKey, Jameco, etc. are full of bland plastic enclosures, but that’s not what we need. We need some stuff that’s stylish and cool. Think wood trim. Think brushed aluminum. Think something from Bang & Olufsen, Apple, Porche, etc.
There might be an opportunity to tie in with the online CAM guys ([Shapeways, [FrontPanelExpress, etc.). Maybe do some standard parts - nice aluminum or finished wood panels you can mix 'n match with panels you get made by the CAM guys. Maybe come up with standard bezels (or at least CAD templates) for your user-facing components like buttons, knobs and displays.
If I want cheap plastic I can Dremel, I know where to go. I’m willing to pay serious money for something that really - as you say - [lets your geek shine. $200+ is not unreasonable if it looks great and I don’t need to acquire $5K in shop equipment.
I think there’s a lot of room for innovation (and profit) here. It’s the difference between making something that’s handed down, and making something that’s tossed on the way to the retirement home.
I would certainly have less problems with my wife if I could find anything alike here
saccade:
Here’s a problem I suspect many gadget makers face…we create a cool new electronic gizmo, only to be told by the other resident(s) of the household: “You are not putting that…that…thing on the nightstand / bookshelf / kitchen counter / etc.”
DigiKey, Jameco, etc. are full of bland plastic enclosures, but that’s not what we need. We need some stuff that’s stylish and cool. Think wood trim. Think brushed aluminum. Think something from Bang & Olufsen, Apple, Porche, etc.
There might be an opportunity to tie in with the online CAM guys ([Shapeways, [FrontPanelExpress, etc.). Maybe do some standard parts - nice aluminum or finished wood panels you can mix 'n match with panels you get made by the CAM guys. Maybe come up with standard bezels (or at least CAD templates) for your user-facing components like buttons, knobs and displays.
If I want cheap plastic I can Dremel, I know where to go. I’m willing to pay serious money for something that really - as you say - [lets your geek shine. $200+ is not unreasonable if it looks great and I don’t need to acquire $5K in shop equipment.
I think there’s a lot of room for innovation (and profit) here. It’s the difference between making something that’s handed down, and making something that’s tossed on the way to the retirement home.
You can design your case yourself, order it and have it in ~2 weeks at your doorstep. They’re also by far the cheapest. You don’t need hundreds to build your design.
This is a nice variety of enclosures, but nothing particularly stylish or attractive. Getting something that looks nice in a living space usually requires going beyond plastic and white/black painted sheet metal.
We are currently looking into different cases! I brought this up with the company a week or so ago and we are trying to get a few ideas. If anyone has some requirements, let’s hear it!
Of course we can’t satisfy everyone, but if we can get a few products that fit some needs, that would be great.
Well I would like to see a case for the LCD displays that is deep enough to add another board behind the LCD. This way the second board could have a processor for LCD control and interface.
Maybe for the Basic 16x2 serial LCD and another for the most popular graphic LCD.
waltr:
Well I would like to see a case for the LCD displays that is deep enough to add another board behind the LCD. This way the second board could have a processor for LCD control and interface.
Maybe for the Basic 16x2 serial LCD and another for the most popular graphic LCD.
+1 on the graphic. I’d love a source for cases similar to, say, automotive GPSs that allow for a “standard” 3.5" or 4.3" TFT LCD. The problem, I think, is that it seems like there’s little standardization among graphic LCD manufacturers and not enough product lifetime to ensure an LCD will be around long enough to warrant a case devoted to it.
with the intent of taking the main board of it and re-using the LCD and designing my own board for my app. Thing is, I ended up liking the damn thing and couldn’t bring myself to ruin it lol… We need something like this!!
I’d like to see a case large enough to hold a basic set of electronics, some controls, batteries, and an LCD screen, and that was shaped to be comfortable to hold.
I’m specifically thinking of being able to hold a FEZ Domino (or Arduino) with a shield (such as an XBee shield), potentially room for some sensors, plenty of room for buttons or other controls, and space for an LCD + serial backpack. Being able to fit either AAs or a LiPo battery would be ideal.
In raw specs, 6"x6" with a depth in the range of 1.75" to 2" that is roughly square with edges round enough to be comfortable to hold (the edges of the current sparkfun enclosure are okay).
waltr:
Well I would like to see a case for the LCD displays that is deep enough to add another board behind the LCD. This way the second board could have a processor for LCD control and interface.
Maybe for the Basic 16x2 serial LCD and another for the most popular graphic LCD.
+1 on the graphic. I’d love a source for cases similar to, say, automotive GPSs that allow for a “standard” 3.5" or 4.3" TFT LCD. The problem, I think, is that it seems like there’s little standardization among graphic LCD manufacturers and not enough product lifetime to ensure an LCD will be around long enough to warrant a case devoted to it.
with the intent of taking the main board of it and re-using the LCD and designing my own board for my app. Thing is, I ended up liking the damn thing and couldn’t bring myself to ruin it lol… We need something like this!!
