DinoBox: A Breakdown of the Build
DinoBox is a modular enclosure made up of six panels and four corner pieces. If you need a sturdy, customizable housing for your electronics, here’s what you need to know about its construction.
Structure
- Six Sides, Four Corners – The box consists of four aluminum side panels, a top and bottom acrylic panel, and four extruded aluminum corners that hold everything together.
- Held Together with Screws – Each aluminum side is secured with two M3 screws, while the top and bottom panels use four M3 screws each. All screw holes are countersunk for a flush finish.
- Material Choices:
- Aluminum Panels – 3.2mm thick 6061-T6 aluminum.
- Acrylic Panels – 3mm thick cast acrylic.
- Extruded Aluminum Corners – Provide structural support and rigidity.
Fasteners
- Screw Options:
- Aluminum (colored) – Matches the anodized panels, lightweight, but not as strong.
- Steel (silver or black) – More durable, better for high-use areas.
- Recommended Setup – Use steel screws for the bottom panel since it’s frequently removed for mounting PCBs, replacing batteries, etc.
Customization
- Laser-Cut Panels – All six sides can be laser-cut with custom hole patterns for:
- Buttons, switches, dials
- Displays, speakers, vents
- Printed Labels & Logos – The top panel can have color prints for button labels, branding, or other markings.
- Rubber Feet – Optional tiny rubber pads for bottom screws to prevent slipping.
Anodizing Options
- Aluminum parts can be anodized in five colors. Good for aesthetics, mild protection from wear.
Is This the Right Enclosure for You?
If you need a sturdy, customizable box with well-thought-out fasteners and material choices, DinoBox gets the job done. It’s easy to modify, holds up well, and won’t fight you when you need to open it up for adjustments.
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