Packaging design

Phil Hobbs · 2010-01-26T13:46:02+00:00

Say I have a prototype gizmo that needs a case, with provision for low-precision (+-10-20 mil) location of a small lens and a motor.Say also that it ought to be some medium-swoopy injection moulded plastic thing, to show to prospective partners.Say further that I'm not a mechanical CAD guy at all.What are the best/cheapest/fastest/lowest-agita methods for getting this done?CheersPhil Hobbs-- Dr Philip C D HobbsPrincipalElectroOptical Innovations55 Orchard RdBriarcliff Manor NY 10510845-480-2058hobbs at electrooptical dot net

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speff 16 years ago

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SW *starts* at more like $4k plus $1k pa maintenance. But it's worth it. Real 3D parametric modeling. More (and better) features get the cost up towards

10K, IIRC, depending on whether it's an individual or floating license etc. Features like routing, FEA, flow etc. add. For example, I've only used simple static finite element analysis of parts , but I understand that specialized programs are far more capable (at far more cost, natch). And you can buy an interface program. ;-)

I am impressed by what students at one of the local community college- sorta-university are doing (they have some kind of a deal with a real uni so they can confer 4-year undergrad degrees). They have an industrial design program that heavily uses SW and rapid prototyping machines to create mock-ups of products. Some of their students have real talent. and when they are done they'll have a 3D portfolio that they can show prospective employers.

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speff 16 years ago

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Altium is working on making 3D CAD and EDA interoperable, so that one can create an injection molded case design and then derive the complex PCB outline from the internal surfaces of the part, and line up connectors etc. with the outside edges of the part. Quite cool, though perhaps not all there yet. And probably about $10-15K more than you want to spend, Joerg. ;-) Imagine being able to define 3D relations such that you can shrink a case by 20mm by changing one number and have everything else just change to adapt. Or create a family of designs from one master.

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Fred Bartoli 16 years ago

And have the autoplace and autorouter doing all the work in real time? :-)

Thanks, Fred.

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speff 16 years ago

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There's a dream (nightmare?)

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D Yuniskis 16 years ago

With a little dancing paperclip asking you, "Are you *sure* you want to put that cap there?"

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Tim Watts 16 years ago

D Yuniskis wibbled on Sunday 31 January 2010 17:47

It looks like you're trying to layout a missile guidance board - would you like some help?

*twok*

Tim Watts Managers, politicians and environmentalists: Nature's carbon buffer.

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speff 16 years ago

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:-)

'It looks like you want to bypass a power supply. Do you want to use the power supply bypass wizard?"

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Joerg 16 years ago

Spehro? Posting from Google now? (post didn't show up here, scratching head ...)

Maybe some day all we need to do is key in "Design phase-balanced up-converting analog obfuscator", hit "Design Now" and then go get some pretzels and coffee :-)

Minutes later a rapid prototyping machine starts to clatter and clang, then Clippy shows up on the screen "Please pick up prototype now".

Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ "gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam. Use another domain or send PM.

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Fred Bartoli 16 years ago

Surely, if the software is written by the paper clip firm, the design will be obfuscated.

Thanks, Fred.

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Spehro Pefhany 16 years ago

Just a temporary thing-- didn't have Agent set up on the new netbook and was travelling. Back home to nice warm home now. ;-)

A good rapid prototyping machine would be able to turn out the pretzels and coffee as well (or pretzels and concentrated HF acid if it misunderstands).

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

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Joel Koltner 16 years ago

You'll want to strike HOLMES IV machines from your list then; their grasp of humor and human mortality aren't quite fully developed yet...

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Packaging design

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