Difference between revisions of "Tutorials"

Revision as of 15:47, 22 March 2016

Introductory Tutorials

Enclosure Design Basics

Whether you design your enclosure using Protocase Designer or another tool, knowing the basics of enclosure design will make your work easier. This tutorial is for anyone submitting a design, whether Protocase Designer or another CAD program is used.

General Approach (Introduction)

This video demonstrates the most common features of Protocase Designer as well as the general approach involved. It's a great introduction to Designer.

Coordinate Systems and Approach

This video shows how to use coordinate systems in Designer, including absolute coordinate system, aligning cutouts, selecting the inside/outside face, and selecting height of self-clinching fasteners.

Viewing Controls

This video covers the tools available to view an enclosure in a three-dimensional environment: Pan, Rotate, Zoom, Remove Cover, and Reset View Orientation.

Face Editor Part 1 - Basic Cutouts

This video is an introduction to using the Face Editor, including basic cutouts, editing cutouts, and additional tools and tips for placing objects.

Face Editor Part 2 - Advanced Cutouts

This video shows the Face Eeditor's advanced options for custom cutouts, built-in cutouts, hardware and the cutout library.

Face Editor Part 3 - Silkscreening

This video walks you through the process of adding a silkscreen to a face.

Requesting Quotes and Buy Orders

This video shows the quick and easy process of getting online quotes and purchase orders for your design.

Detailed Tutorials

Creating an enclosure to mount a PCB

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating a custom rackmount enclosure to mount a mini-ITX PCB using self-clinching fasteners, and create cutouts for the PCB, power supply, and fan.

Using L-Shape Enclosures for PCBs with Opposing Connectors

This paper explains why and how to use L Shape enclosures to house components that protrude from opposite sides. This tutorial is for anyone submitting a design, whether Protocase Designer or another CAD program is used.

Selecting height of self-clinching fasteners based on material thickness

This paper explains how to select the height of self-clinching fasteners (PEMs), such as standoffs and studs, for mounting components to your enclosures. This tutorial is for anyone submitting a design, whether Protocase Designer or another CAD program is used.

Using the Measure tool to move an object a specific distance from another object

This procedure shows you how to use the Measure tool to accurately place and move objects on a face.

Creating a custom cutout for a connector

This tutorial guides you through creating a cutout to fit a custom connector and add it to the Cutout Library for future use.

Creating custom vents

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating and duplicating cutouts to create a vent.

Aligning cutouts on opposite faces

This tutorial shows you how to create cutouts that are aligned on opposite faces.

Creating double-d cutouts

This tutorial shows you how to draw a double-d-shaped cutout by joining a circle and a rectangle. Note: The link in the title takes you to the written topic. For a video tutorial, click [here].

Creating key slot cutouts

This tutorial shows you how to join a circle and a rectangle to create a notched cutout. Note: The link in the title takes you to the written topic. For a video tutorial, click [here].

Centering text on a face

This tutorial shows how to center text on a face vertically, horizontally, or both.

Creating fillets

This tutorial shows you how to create a fillet (rounded corner) quickly by trimming circles.