[3D Print] Enclosure for Phidget VINT Hub, 4x Thermocouple, and Artisan

#1: Post by **mikelipino** » February 25th, 2023, 1:12 pm

Here's an enclosure I designed for the Phidget VINT hub and 4x thermocouple boards. I think it's a much neater presentation and it allows the use of the K-type connectors that should be more durable than mounting and remounting bare wire thermocouples. Also since everything is enclosed, there's less potential for "bumped wire" noise, where a bumped wire > changes in resistance > anomalous noise in Artisan. Thermocouples and Phidgets are already very sensitive, so why not reduce noise as much as possible!

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5876538

I was surprised to not find an enclosure already available, so took the opportunity to design one to my spec. There's an optional hole for an LED that can be programmed to light via alarms (e.g. nearing dry end and first crack), but this fell by the wayside for my use since I've learned to use the spoken alarms. Hey, it looks nice though

#2: Post by **hankua** » February 26th, 2023, 9:30 am

Great idea!
I prefer the mini-k plugs as well.

#3: Post by **jrham12** » February 27th, 2023, 11:37 am

Looks great!!!

Do the cases on the Phidgets just "unsnap" or are they glued?

Josh

February 27th, 2023, 4:12 pm

They're not glued, but the snap can be kind of tight. I used a screwdriver to pry them apart, and one of the Phidget bodies has some stress lines. No worries, going in the garbage anyways haha

#5: Post by **drgary** » April 1st, 2023, 12:51 am

Mike,

Thanks for doing this. I just had one printed and will use it with my Phidget 1048. I know it's not the VINT hub, but I should be able to make it work. Earlier today, I fussed for a couple of hours with the bare wires and had to go back to my old Amprobe, so I'm looking forward to this plug and play solution.

#6: Post by **mkane** » April 1st, 2023, 11:36 am

All fine and dandy if one has a 3-d printer. I'm thinking an aluminum box should work.

#7: Post by **drgary** » April 16th, 2023, 7:20 pm

For anyone else printing this, the mini-plugs are not a uniform size. Mine were a bit looser in the holes, something that's easy to remedy with some shimming. Also, I just ordered 30 AWG solid core wire to make the connections, which should fit.

April 17th, 2023, 9:59 am

Ah that's great Gary that you'll be able to make it work with your materials. That's why I linked specifically to the materials I used because sometimes dimensions or even tolerances for things like plugs can be all over the place. Since the mini plugs will be permanently mounted, you can probably use a 2 part epoxy adhesive to fill the gaps so that they don't move.