In our efforts to make projects more accessible we’ve been focusing on using low-cost materials to make enclosures for electronics. We recently got a hold of a vinyl cutter (Cricut Express Air 2) and have been experimenting with different types of chipboard. This is a type of particle board made from reclaimed paper that is generally used as backing for notepads, photos and prints. It’s also used to create cereal boxes and other type of packaging.
Creating foldable boxes out of a one piece cutout with no glue makes assembly much easier than having to laser cut or 3D print. There’s no toxic fumes to worry about or nozzles clogging. Obviously this isn’t as durable, but for quick prototypes paper is an ideal material. To design these type of boxes in Fusion 360 we decided to take advantage of the sheet metal tools. We put together a simple foldable box that houses a circuit playground express, micro servo and 3xAAA battery pack. The CPX is mounted on the outside while the wires and battery are hidden inside. Having a “pull tab” allows us to easily open and close the box. A series of flaps and fold make the box sturdy. Although there’s more limitations with cutting paper than 3d printing plastics, we might be able to produce things that are even more accessible than before.
Using sheet metal tools in Fusion 360 to make foldable boxes that can be used to house electrics or other products.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
