Author Topic: Plexiglass case for Teensy (Read 7044 times)

Minskleip · « **on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 05:07:12 »

I'm making a case for a Teensy out of plexiglass, but I'm a bit worried about static electricity. The idea is to make several layers of plexi, cut holes in them large enough to hold the Teensy and other components, and skrew everything together like a sandwich. Is this a good idea, or would I be better of finding some scrap wood instead?

I think the Teensy is too small, so I made it a big enclosure:

Why so big?

I found the ps2 panel mount in an old AT computer I had thrown out; the LED came from an old computer case project; they enclosure from an even older casemod project which I never finished. Finally I found a use for some old stuff haha

alaricljs · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 07:19:14 »

It's been done, but you still need to be careful. When working with both the board and the case keep the case in an ESD bag. Once you are ready for the final mounting do your best to eliminate static from the plastic before unbagging the teensy.

Minskleip · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 07:38:49 »

Thanks! That sounds like a lot of risky hassle.. Maybe I'll find a small electronics box and solder a metal thingie with a skrew hole to the Teensy's usb port instead...

Minskleip · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:05:51 »

Could I glue velcro to the bottom of the Teensy?

The Solutor · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:12:09 »

Quote from: Minskleip;383939

Thanks! That sounds like a lot of risky hassle..

I worked 15 years as electronic technician, and almost the same amount of time as IT technician, often assembling and repairing PC, server and whatever.

In that amount of time I saw just one case of something dead due to esd, but was one of those uncommon days wen you have electric shock touching everything is grounded, especially lefting the car.

Really, ESD risks/precautions are greatly exaggerated.

Minskleip · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:21:17 »

Are you saying that if I use a grounded bracelet while mounting the Teensy in the plexicase, I can throw if around and keep it in my trousers afterwards without ruining it?

alaricljs · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:23:50 »

Once it's in the case, it really doesn't matter what you do to the case. I was just recommending caution while cutting and assembling the case. I have personally zotted a few things with ESD, hence why I recommend caution.

Once the thing is a unit however, there's extremely little chance the teensy will go poof from ESD.

The Solutor · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:24:24 »

I'm saying that just don't care is safe in 9999 over 10000 cases.

Place it where you like and worry about shorts, and soldering.

Minskleip · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:25:12 »

Alright, that's good. What if the Teensy ha a bit of travel inside?

<- paranoid

alaricljs · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:27:14 »

Hot melt glue? Pretty solid stuff, even tho it is still easily removed.

The Solutor · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 08:40:03 »

Hot glue, velcro, biadhesive tape, adhesive plastic clips, the choices are dozens

Minskleip · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 09:38:44 »

Awesome, thank you!

While I'm at it, is it necessary to get a grounded-tip soldering iron, or would this one, https://www.elfa.se/elfa3~eu_en/elfa/init.do?item=82-302-03&toc=0, be ok?

alaricljs · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 20 July 2011, 10:02:45 »

Weller and grounded tips are overrated... Anything metal that's grounded and can take the heat of the metal sleeve can take the static away.

And here is a nice thread on soldering stations...

bpiphany · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 21 July 2011, 02:44:17 »

I've been very careless with one of my teensys trying to de-solder it. Repeated large amount of heat, having it attached to a small piece of PCB in my pocket or bag over extended periods of time. It still seem to function properly only two pins have died and that was from me cutting their traces by mistake far earlier. They seem to be pretty tough actually.

Minskleip · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 22 July 2011, 08:23:49 »

Quote from: alaricljs;384012

Weller and grounded tips are overrated... Anything metal that's grounded and can take the heat of the metal sleeve can take the static away.

And here is a nice thread on soldering stations...

So when the station's power plug doesn't have a ground tip, it's not good enough right? Maybe I should try the cheap knockoff from the thread you posted..

alaricljs · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 22 July 2011, 10:09:01 »

The grounded tip is no big deal. I can't even think of a way to build up a static charge on a soldering station unless it's one with an air handler of some sort (ie: hot air rework). If you're not walking away from your solder station and coming back to it HOT then you can just ground the tip before you turn it on and get to work.

Minskleip · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 22 July 2011, 10:56:45 »

Great, thanks!

Minskleip · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 22 July 2011, 11:27:28 »

Does them plants eat esd?

alaricljs · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 22 July 2011, 11:35:35 »

Maybe he used a knife tip on his soldering iron?

Minskleip · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 17:57:12 »

The enclosure I bought finally arrived, but it's too small! ****!

In any case, I got the soldering station and the other stuff as well, so at least I could solder the pins. I'm typing with the ps2 -> usb converter now. The standard matrix of Hasu's works with only two/three errors on the Siig Minitouch. Next step is fixing the layout

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 18:55:55 »

Can you have some fun with the enclosure? Have the guts stick out and have an add-on or something? Can you put some pics up? And what soldering station?

Minskleip · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 11 August 2011, 02:40:08 »

The enclosure itself is great; fits very well with the Teensy. I could use it and have the ps2 panel mount hanging on the outside, but I want it perfect

I can try to get pictures up later today.

I bought the Weller WHS 40.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 11 August 2011, 10:13:59 »

Pics=cool. Remember, there's often more than one kind of perfect...think 'outside' the box. LOL

Show your soldering setup (no burned fingers please, flesh smells gross).

Minskleip · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 12 August 2011, 16:01:50 »

Cool case with swell ps2 panel mount. I found it on an old at computer I had thrown out. What luck!
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Not too bad for the first time. Notice the evidence of bad extraction of the pins.
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Parts:
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Author Topic: Plexiglass case for Teensy (Read 7044 times)