3D printing costs (Modding project)

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Elite Override

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Hey okes.

I'm currently doing a project involving an arduino (uno) and a 20x2 lcd screen.

I want to mount the lcd in the front of my chassis in 'n drive bay, but I am not sure how I should go about doing it.

Here is a pic of the screen:

440588_100521230133_LCD.jpg


Now for my question, how expensive is 3D printing? I have the skills to design the mounting in almost any program required, so hopefully there will be no design fees.

If it would not be financially sane to print it, how would you recommend I do it?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
cool!

how much did you pay for it, where did you get it, and how does it work?

is it in color?
 
Elite Override said:
I want to mount the lcd in the front of my chassis in 'n drive bay, but I am not sure how I should go about doing it.
Click to expand...

Usually you get a bezel that goes on the outside with four long screws attached. Each screw has two nuts on it. first you just add one nut per screw and screw them partially in, next the bezel screws push through those 4 corner pcb holes. That first nut you screwed in is now used to adjust how far forward or backwards the display is set, you could have it flush with the bezel. The remaining nuts are used to secure it at the back. This way it holds itself inplace, bezel on the outside tensions the display against the chassis on the inside.

Hope this makes sense.
 
ponder said:
Usually you get a bezel that goes on the outside with four long screws attached. Each screw has two nuts on it. first you just add one nut per screw and screw them partially in, next the bezel screws push through those 4 corner pcb holes. That first nut you screwed in is now used to adjust how far forward or backwards the display is set, you could have it flush with the bezel. The remaining nuts are used to secure it at the back. This way it holds itself inplace, bezel on the outside tensions the display against the chassis on the inside.

Hope this makes sense.
Click to expand...

I know how things are usually mounted in drive bays, but this did not come with any kind of mounting, hence my need to make one. It is too small to be mounted by itself, and will thus leave large open gaps.
 
I've got a 3d printer at home, send me the design if you like and i'll see if I can give you a price / print it for you.

Based it CPT.

J

QUOTE=Elite Override;6374715]Hey okes.

I'm currently doing a project involving an arduino (uno) and a 20x2 lcd screen.

I want to mount the lcd in the front of my chassis in 'n drive bay, but I am not sure how I should go about doing it.

Here is a pic of the screen:

440588_100521230133_LCD.jpg


Now for my question, how expensive is 3D printing? I have the skills to design the mounting in almost any program required, so hopefully there will be no design fees.

If it would not be financially sane to print it, how would you recommend I do it?

Any help would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
 
jsheed_sa said:
I've got a 3d printer at home, send me the design if you like and i'll see if I can give you a price / print it for you.

Based it CPT.

J

QUOTE=Elite Override;6374715]Hey okes.

I'm currently doing a project involving an arduino (uno) and a 20x2 lcd screen.

I want to mount the lcd in the front of my chassis in 'n drive bay, but I am not sure how I should go about doing it.

Here is a pic of the screen:

440588_100521230133_LCD.jpg


Now for my question, how expensive is 3D printing? I have the skills to design the mounting in almost any program required, so hopefully there will be no design fees.

If it would not be financially sane to print it, how would you recommend I do it?

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply, could you give me any kind of indication or price range it might be for a mounting that is the size of a 5.25" drive bay?
 
Another idea.. What about taking a 5.25" bay cover - the standard cover that's there when there's no drive installed - and cutting/melting(or something) a hole in it. You could probably melt a few holes into it, then cut, then smooth it with a file, and maybe spray paint it after? I've never done anything like this so I have no idea if this would work, but if you do it carefully if might look good?
 
Neverwhere said:
Another idea.. What about taking a 5.25" bay cover - the standard cover that's there when there's no drive installed - and cutting/melting(or something) a hole in it. You could probably melt a few holes into it, then cut, then smooth it with a file, and maybe spray paint it after? I've never done anything like this so I have no idea if this would work, but if you do it carefully if might look good?
Click to expand...

I have considered it, but I'm not very good at that type of thing. I do have an extra cover though. I will attempt this if nothing else will suffice.
 
Find someone with a plasma machine or lazer and get them to cut it out! Shouldn't cost to much, granted im not to sure of prices because i get it all for free from my dads business.
 
jsheed_sa said:
I've got a 3d printer at home, send me the design if you like and i'll see if I can give you a price / print it for you.
Click to expand...

Hmm.... can you print Zbrush files? if you don't know what that is, what formats can you use?

Im interested too, if you can print stuff for me - but whats the cost (ballpark figure), and whats the quality?
(I mean, can it print models like those 30cm tall collectible figures? (Freddy Kruger/The Crow/Etc)



Edit: Sorry for chipping in the thread here, OP
 
Elite Override said:
I know how things are usually mounted in drive bays, but this did not come with any kind of mounting, hence my need to make one. It is too small to be mounted by itself, and will thus leave large open gaps.
Click to expand...

*sigh*, I will try and post a picture tomorrow (if I remember) as I can see what I said did not sink in.
 
As people have said, taking an existing 5.25 bay cover, cutting a rectangular hole for the LCD, and drilling four holes to fasten it with is going to be the simplest. Will take like 10 minutes tops
After that having something laser cut and bent into shape
Only then would I consider 3D printing
 
ponder said:
*sigh*, I will try and post a picture tomorrow (if I remember) as I can see what I said did not sink in.
Click to expand...

Sorry about that, I have read your post a few times and I still don't get it.

Archer said:
As people have said, taking an existing 5.25 bay cover, cutting a rectangular hole for the LCD, and drilling four holes to fasten it with is going to be the simplest. Will take like 10 minutes tops
After that having something laser cut and bent into shape
Only then would I consider 3D printing
Click to expand...

How would you suggest I cut the hole?
 
If you have a dremel that would be easiest.
Otherwise you mark out the rectangle and drill a hole in each corner. Now you can get any kind of saw in there (jigsaw, handsaw, whatever). If you dont have anything like that you could even just drill lots of holes and then file it smooth at the end. If your bay cover is plastic you could even use a sharp knife after drilling the corner holes.
Where there is a will there is a way!
 
Archer said:
If you have a dremel that would be easiest.
Otherwise you mark out the rectangle and drill a hole in each corner. Now you can get any kind of saw in there (jigsaw, handsaw, whatever). If you dont have anything like that you could even just drill lots of holes and then file it smooth at the end. If your bay cover is plastic you could even use a sharp knife after drilling the corner holes.
Where there is a will there is a way!
Click to expand...

I have heard that most people who do modding use a dremel, but sadly I don't have one.

I guess I could try the other method you described, drilling holes is fine, and I have a jigsaw, but I haven't quite aced the whole "sawing straight" thing :p

Guess I'll attempt it this weekend if nothing else comes up.
 
Drill a hole and use a hacksaw blade or similar.

You can always use black silicone to fill in any mess-ups you make.

Another option is a table mounted jigsaw.

Don't have a 3d printer, only a 3dscanner, we also have special saws we use for cutting out small holes (the blades are around .5mm, http://sterlinggurwell.blogspot.com/2009/12/breed-specific-jewelrythe-art-of-silver.html ).

Personally I would rough cut the hole leaving about 1 to 2 mm all round then use my dremel to neaten it up.
 
AstroTurf said:
Drill a hole and use a hacksaw blade or similar.

You can always use black silicone to fill in any mess-ups you make.

Another option is a table mounted jigsaw.

Don't have a 3d printer, only a 3dscanner, we also have special saws we use for cutting out small holes (the blades are around .5mm, http://sterlinggurwell.blogspot.com/2009/12/breed-specific-jewelrythe-art-of-silver.html ).

Personally I would rough cut the hole leaving about 1 to 2 mm all round then use my dremel to neaten it up.
Click to expand...

I'll probably sand it smooth...hopefully it turns out well. I'll report back here when its done.

I'll keep in mind you have a 3d scanner though.
 
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