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Decibel meter enclosure prototype

A vented two-part case for a Wi-Fi decibel meter, designed around the client's electronics and 3D printed as a prototype.

What it holds
A BeagleBone board stacked on a Wi-Fi module
How it is made
White FDM 3D printed lid and base
Still in reach
The microphone and power cable, and both antennas
Plan a custom case (opens WhatsApp) Send a brief
Length of the final case, before the antennas
189 mm
Design revisions, shown to the client as 3D renders
2

What we brought

  1. What we can do

    We design around the electronics you have

    We modelled the case around the client's own BeagleBone stack, with antenna ports where the leads reach.

  2. How we look after you

    You see it in 3D first

    The client reviewed each version as labelled renders and drawings before we printed anything.

  3. What you get

    A prototype that looks like a product

    A clean white case with vents, mounting ears and folding antennas, ready to show.

The build

How we built it

5 steps, from the brief to the finished piece. Pick a step to jump to it.

The brief

Step 1 of 5

Electronics
A BeagleBone board stacked on a Wi-Fi module
Cooling
Ventilation slots in the lid
Antennas
Two external Wi-Fi antenna ports
Cables
An access hole for the microphone and power cable
Mounting
Ears to screw the case down

At Additive Inn, our 3D printing studio in Singapore, we designed and 3D printed an enclosure for a Wi-Fi decibel meter: a BeagleBone stacked on a Wi-Fi module, which needed air, two antennas, and a way in for the microphone and power.

Design and prototyping

Step 2 of 5

We modelled the case around the board stack: a vented lid over a base with four mounting ears, two antenna ports in its sides and a shaped block holding the boards level. The client reviewed it as 3D renders.

  1. First design

    A vented lid, four mounting ears, two antenna ports and a block to stack the boards.

    Render +1 more

  2. Second design

    A slim brace between the boards replaced the stacking block, and the body grew to 189 mm long.

Production

Step 3 of 5

We 3D printed the lid and base in white on our FDM printers, along with the brace that holds the boards apart.

The printed lid and base.

Build and assembly

Step 4 of 5

We seated the client's board stack in the base, ran the antenna leads to their ports, then test-fitted the lid and both antennas.

The board stack seated in the base.
The printed brace between the boards.
Ready for the lid and antennas.

The final build

Step 5 of 5

The client got a prototype that looks like a finished product: the boards and leads hidden, air through the slots, and both antennas folding to any angle.

Vent slots, with both antennas up.

More product development

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