My teensy 3d printed case

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kito

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Hi,

I always wanted to get a 3d printer, but I have no time nor space to do it. So I hired somebody to do it for my teensy.
I have been toying the idea to replace my sluggish PC usb to i2c adapter with a teensy, but I wanted but the teensy in a box.

I learned some stuff from this proto build. Tolerance of the 3d printer is not perfect so I had to do some sanding and expecting 3d printer holes to accept a tiny machine screw thread probably was not a good idea. Probably best to make the hole smaller and drill it out get more good fit. Fixed it with some glue.

Anyhow I worked with Vikas who design my box, From 3dhubs site and he was pretty easy to work with. If you interested in having somebody design a small box for your teensy he can do it.

https://www.3dhubs.com/san-jose/hubs/abc3d

TeensyCase1.jpg

TeensyCase2.jpg
 
At Shapeways you can upload your own design, and they will print and send it to you (in many different types of plastic and metal). The tolerances on their printers are very good. Here are some of the common materials and the tolerances they can hold: https://www.shapeways.com/materials/material-options

It takes ~10 days for them to get it to you, and prices are very reasonable. Just something to keep in mind for future projects.
 
My "Ultimaker 2" printer makes the ID of holes about 0.2 mm smaller than specified. Probably similar with other printers of that type. So I can design a 3 mm hole, get the printed part with about 2.8 mm hole, and I can drive a M3 machine screw into it. It will self-tap threads into the plastic and hold fairly well. However as you said, it is certainly more accurate to design undersized and then drill out the holes.
 
My experience has been that printing undersize and drilling out is the best way to go, even with prints at Shapeways. I tend to print slightly smaller than the pilot hole size, so for M3, I'll print at 2 and drill out to 2.5. Takes all of a second per hole.

Machine screws will hold, but won't be too strong and the threads will not last many insertions. Thread forming screws (http://apexfasteners.com/fasteners/thread-forming-screws) are specifically designed to go into plastic and will be much stronger and longer lasting.
 
@Yeahtuna - have had several spammers through commenting on the ends of threads. They get zapped but still awaken the zombie thread. On the other hand at least this one is still pretty current. Dimensions to make plastic shapes work don't change much!
 
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