Holes in panels/boxes, small volumes

[Hal Murray]

I'm making a simple gadget that's got a couple of connectors
and an IC or two. I'll probably make 10 of them. I'd like
to be able to make 100.

I'd like to put them in a reasonable looking box/case. I'll
be happy with either a plastic or metal box. It doesn't have
to be fancy or elegant.

I'm looking for somebody that will punch/mill holes in the box
for a reasonable cost. Any suggestions?

I can drill/file, but that's a lot of work, especially when one
of the connectors is a DB-9 and I don't have access to a good
shop. Doing it by hand would be OK for 1, but there should be
something better for more than that.

I think I'm looking for somebody who has a library of standard
holes. You send them a text file or spread sheet with a hole
per line. Each line specifies the hole type and coordinates.
They feed that to a NC mill or an automated punch so there isn't
much setup time.

I'm not in a hurry. I'll be glad to get the boxes from
somebody and take things apart and send the front/back panels
to somebody else to make the holes. I'd expect somebody
in this business would have another listing of the boxes they
are already setup to work with and where the reference
coordinate is located and whatever else they need to know. ...

--
These are my opinions, not necessarily my employer's. I hate spam.

 

[Peter Bennett]

On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:22:06 -0600,
hal-usenet@ip-64-139-1-69.sjc.megapath.net (Hal Murray) wrote:

I'm making a simple gadget that's got a couple of connectors
and an IC or two. I'll probably make 10 of them. I'd like
to be able to make 100.

I'd like to put them in a reasonable looking box/case. I'll
be happy with either a plastic or metal box. It doesn't have
to be fancy or elegant.

I'm looking for somebody that will punch/mill holes in the box
for a reasonable cost. Any suggestions?

I can drill/file, but that's a lot of work, especially when one
of the connectors is a DB-9 and I don't have access to a good
shop. Doing it by hand would be OK for 1, but there should be
something better for more than that.

I think I'm looking for somebody who has a library of standard
holes. You send them a text file or spread sheet with a hole
per line. Each line specifies the hole type and coordinates.
They feed that to a NC mill or an automated punch so there isn't
much setup time.

I'm not in a hurry. I'll be glad to get the boxes from
somebody and take things apart and send the front/back panels
to somebody else to make the holes. I'd expect somebody
in this business would have another listing of the boxes they
are already setup to work with and where the reference
coordinate is located and whatever else they need to know. ...

If you just want flat panels machined, check out Front Panel Express
(http://www.frontpanelexpress.com). You download their design
program, draw your panel, and check the price the program calculates
(if you have lettering on the panel, choosing a single stroke font
rather than 4 stroke will greatly reduce the price). The program will
send the design file to them, and in a week or so, you'll have your
panels.

They also now offer enclosures - the information is skillfully hidden
under support/faqs.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca