Difference between revisions of "Creating an enclosure to mount a PCB"
From Protocase Designer Documentation
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
{{Procedure| | {{Procedure| | ||
#On the '''Standard''' toolbar, click '''Edit Face''' [[File:button-editface.png|40px|bottom]], then click the rear face. The '''Face Editor''' window opens.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—rackmount rear face]]<br> | #On the '''Standard''' toolbar, click '''Edit Face''' [[File:button-editface.png|40px|bottom]], then click the rear face. The '''Face Editor''' window opens.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—rackmount rear face]]<br> | ||
| − | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Rectangle''' tool. [[File:rectangle | + | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Rectangle''' tool. [[File:tool-rectangle.png|40px|bottom]] |
#Draw two rectangles at approximate mounting locations.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-rectangles.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor Window—rectangle cutouts on rackmount rear face]]<br> | #Draw two rectangles at approximate mounting locations.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-rectangles.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor Window—rectangle cutouts on rackmount rear face]]<br> | ||
| − | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Circle''' tool. [[File:circle | + | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Circle''' tool. [[File:tool-circle.png|40px|bottom]] |
#Draw two circles on each side of the right rectangle.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-circles.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor Window—circle cutouts on rackmount rear face]]<br> | #Draw two circles on each side of the right rectangle.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-circles.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor Window—circle cutouts on rackmount rear face]]<br> | ||
| − | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:edit | + | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:tool-edit.png|40px|bottom]] |
#Select each cutout and update the origin, width, and height as follows: | #Select each cutout and update the origin, width, and height as follows: | ||
#*PCB rectangle cutout (on left) | #*PCB rectangle cutout (on left) | ||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
#On the '''Cutout Library and Fasteners''' menu, point to '''Fans''', '''General''', then click '''60mm'''. | #On the '''Cutout Library and Fasteners''' menu, point to '''Fans''', '''General''', then click '''60mm'''. | ||
#Click on the face to place the fan cutout at the approximate mounting location.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-fan-placing.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—placing fan cutout]]<br> | #Click on the face to place the fan cutout at the approximate mounting location.<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-rear-fan-placing.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—placing fan cutout]]<br> | ||
| − | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:edit | + | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:tool-edit.png|40px|bottom]] |
#Select the fan cutout and update the origin as follows: | #Select the fan cutout and update the origin as follows: | ||
#*Fan cutout | #*Fan cutout | ||
| Line 83: | Line 83: | ||
#Select Standoffs, 4-40 x .375" long and click '''Place PEM'''. | #Select Standoffs, 4-40 x .375" long and click '''Place PEM'''. | ||
#Click on the face to place four standoffs at the approximate mounting location for the PCB (on the right).<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-chassis-standoffs.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—placing standoffs, 4-40 x .375" long]] | #Click on the face to place four standoffs at the approximate mounting location for the PCB (on the right).<br><br>[[File:window-faceeditor-rackmount-chassis-standoffs.png|600px|thumb|center|Face Editor window—placing standoffs, 4-40 x .375" long]] | ||
| − | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:edit | + | #On the '''Drawing''' toolbar, select the '''Edit''' tool. [[File:tool-edit.png|40px|bottom]] |
#Select each standoff and stud and update their origins as follows: | #Select each standoff and stud and update their origins as follows: | ||
#*Standoff 1 | #*Standoff 1 | ||
Revision as of 13:31, 26 June 2012
One of the most common uses for Protocase Designer is to design a custom enclosure to mount a PCB and associated components. This tutorial will guide 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.
Contents
Select components to mount in enclosure
- Note: Mounting dimensions are not needed for the 60mm fan since a built-in cutout for the fan will be used.
- Note: It is important to properly understand how to mount each component including any required clearances.
Sketch mounting locations for components
- Note: Dimensions are always measured from the absolute origin on the OUTSIDE of the enclosure (i.e. you must factor in the thickness of the enclosure)
Create enclosure from template
Add PCB and power supply cutouts to rear panel
This enclosure requires two rectangular cutouts on the rear panel to accommodate the mini-ITX PCB and power supply. Template:Procedure
Add built-in fan cutout to rear panel
Protocase Designer® offers a library of cutouts for common components including fans of various sizes. Template:Procedure
Add cutouts to chassis
Template:Procedure You can now customize your enclosure further by adding additional cutouts, silkscreen, and hardware to the other faces and then request an instant quote.
