This is awesome! Can you do one on how to build an enclosed prototype? For instance how one would have something with buttons sticking out and a screen or something like that?
For instance, how would have a company like rabbit r1 built their red case enclosing and the button + scroll: https://www.rabbit.tech/
What do people like me have to learn in order to 3D print a prototype for a similar product? What is the process to getting to a production level enclosing?
So this is what it looks like. This is for mass production advice, not prototype.
The orange housing is plastic and is injection molding. In it there has to be a PCB which is probably screwed and snapped into a base plate. The screen is glued (probably hot melt for repairability) and snapped onto the inner housing. This is super high level.
For prototypes the first thing you need is a 3d cad model of your system assembly. This means you need to model all components (housing, button, wheel, PCB, screen, and more). You can print the mechanical components. For electrical you might need to jerry rig some prototype boards. If you don't know how to 3d model or design circuitry that's okay, you can hire mechanical/electrical designers on freelancing websites and learn from them.
I have a 3D printer, but I am new to it and mostly a software person, so I guess I have to just get my hands dirty and trial and error.
I will be starting with trying to get a basic case 3D modeled on fiverr, and then maybe some button covers. Certain things seem difficult like how to integrate mechanical + electrical for a wheel.
This was super helpful advice to get started. It would be awesome to see an article about prototype something from start to finish!
This is awesome! Can you do one on how to build an enclosed prototype? For instance how one would have something with buttons sticking out and a screen or something like that?
If you have any specific products or models in mind please do let me know
For instance, how would have a company like rabbit r1 built their red case enclosing and the button + scroll: https://www.rabbit.tech/
What do people like me have to learn in order to 3D print a prototype for a similar product? What is the process to getting to a production level enclosing?
So this is what it looks like. This is for mass production advice, not prototype.
The orange housing is plastic and is injection molding. In it there has to be a PCB which is probably screwed and snapped into a base plate. The screen is glued (probably hot melt for repairability) and snapped onto the inner housing. This is super high level.
For prototypes the first thing you need is a 3d cad model of your system assembly. This means you need to model all components (housing, button, wheel, PCB, screen, and more). You can print the mechanical components. For electrical you might need to jerry rig some prototype boards. If you don't know how to 3d model or design circuitry that's okay, you can hire mechanical/electrical designers on freelancing websites and learn from them.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I have a 3D printer, but I am new to it and mostly a software person, so I guess I have to just get my hands dirty and trial and error.
I will be starting with trying to get a basic case 3D modeled on fiverr, and then maybe some button covers. Certain things seem difficult like how to integrate mechanical + electrical for a wheel.
This was super helpful advice to get started. It would be awesome to see an article about prototype something from start to finish!