Anyone know anything about...

[seawasp]

... packaging electronics, as in, turning something from a "works nice in tests but looks like crap" to a "hey, that's a product"?

Comments

[shanejayell.livejournal.com]

This MIGHT help, I dunno.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_development

Other than a older marketing course, I can't suggest much.

[alex swavely (from livejournal.com)]

I know something about it, from the hobbyist perspective.

[amberdine.livejournal.com]

Do you mean for just one project? Generally you get a plastic enclosure. Pactec makes a lot of nice ones for various applications.

Beyond that you get into injection molding and a lot of money...

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

This. The per-unit is incredibly cheap when you want a bazillion units. Startup is not so cheap.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could email Jony Ive for some helpful tips?

Packaging

[jackofva.livejournal.com]

As a way to keep myself busy after retiring, I started a small business designing and selling electronic kits to my fellow radio amateur operators.

Part of this involves packaging ... and in relatively small volume, 50 to 100 units is a big run for me. This volume limits you to either customization of existing enclosures, or custom metal enclosures. The cost of dies make plastic molding out of the question in this volume.

One of the custom metal enclosures I designed and had made can be seen at
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z1203b_coupler.htm

For a modified plastic enclosure, see http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z100_tuning_aid.htm

And for a modified metal enclosure see http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/Z90.htm

Jack

[jackofva.livejournal.com]

I should have added that the Z90 enclosure is a standard TenTec box, with water jet cut front and rear panels that were then powder coated and silk screened.

The plastic enclosure (Z100) is a standard plastic enclosure that I modified by drilling and milling various holes in and also had a clear plastic front lens made by laser cutting from acrylic.

You might get an idea of the range of enclosures available by spending some time with Mouser and DigiKey catalogs. www.mouser.com and www.digikey.com - these are two of the larger parts distributors.

If a metal enclosure works for you, contact me and I'll introduce you to my sheet metal guy - he's not the fastest, but I've been satisfied with the quality and the price is surprisingly reasonable provided you can live with his stock punch sizes and his general enclosure form. (Custom lengths, etc.) I have standoffs pressed in, which adds a professional touch, compared with machine screws and standoffs.

Jack

[lexomatic.livejournal.com]

You could use one of the many bespoke fabrication services, such as QuickParts.com, SolidConcepts.com, eMachineShop.com, BigBlueSaw.com, Ponoko.com or Shapeways.com. They offer various stereolithography technologies and laser-cut all manner of materials; some of them have their own CAD software. Disclaimer: I haven't used any of them myself, I've just seen them described on MakeZine.com and Thingiverse.com.

Here's a example that might give you ideas: the sammichSID synthesizer at Ponoko. The rectangular case appears to consist of notched faces (like those interlocking waffle-bricks or floor pads); the uppermost has holes cut for the controls and display, and has been labeled (screen-printed?). Such a case could be laser- or waterjet-cut from a single slab of plastic, I should think, including holes for the mounting screws for the PCB inside.

[lexomatic.livejournal.com]

Are you looking for a single prototype, a series of prototypes, or short-run production? Some more possibilities and inspiration:

If you need a snazzy-looking control panel and possibly a simple enclosure, there's Front Panel Express, which uses CNC to fabricate aluminum or Plexiglas (or customer-provided material), then engrave and infill -- controls and the mounting thereof are the responsibility of the customer. As with several of the fabbers, they provide free specialized CAD software that quotes the price to you. FPE offers discounts with breaks at 5, 10 and 20 units.

This 2005 review is of MAMERoom's design software for arcade controller panels CNC-milled from MDF (medium-density fiberboard), but it appears that (as it's now called) Northcoast Custom Arcades no longer offers that service. Their customizable standard products look pretty neat, if you want an expensive and durable arcade cabinet.