Summary of REPURPOSED PLASTIC PROTECTS PCBS
This article describes a DIY method for protecting Arduino Nano boards using recycled food container lids. The creator cuts HDPE plastic (#2) to size, heats it with a heat gun until pliable, and forms a custom cover over the board. Techniques like hot glue or metal jigs are suggested to hold the plastic in place during heating. This approach prevents electrical shorts and component damage caused by stray wires or parts.
Parts used in the Custom PCB Cover Project:
- Arduino Nano
- Recycled food container lids (HDPE or plastic #2)
- Heat gun
- Hot glue
- Metal jig (optional)
- Vacuum former (suggested alternative)
An errant wire snipping across the wrong electrical pins spells the release of your magic smoke. Even if you are lucky, stray parts are the root of boundless malfunctions from disruptive to deadly. [TheRainHarvester] shares his trick for covering an Arduino Nano with some scrap plastic most of us have sitting in the recycling bin. The video is also after the break. He calls this potting, but we would argue it is a custom-made cover.
The hack is to cut a bit of plastic from food container lids, often HDPE or plastic #2. Trim a piece of it a tad larger than your unprotected board, and find a way to hold it in place so you can blast it with a heat gun. When we try this at one of our Hackaday remote labs and apply a dab of hot glue between the board and some green plastic it works well. The video suggests a metal jig which would be logical when making more than one. YouTube commenter and tip submitter [Keith o] suggests a vacuum former for a tighter fit, and we wouldn’t mind seeing custom window cutouts for access to critical board segments such as DIP switches or trimmers.
We understand why shorted wires are a problem, especially when you daisy-chain three power supplies as happened in one of [TheRainHarvester]’s previous videos.
Source: REPURPOSED PLASTIC PROTECTS PCBS
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What material is recommended for making the custom cover?
Food container lids made of HDPE or plastic #2. -
How should the plastic be prepared before heating?
Cut a piece slightly larger than the unprotected board. -
What tool is used to soften the plastic for forming?
A heat gun. -
What can be used to hold the plastic in place while heating?
Hot glue between the board and plastic or a metal jig. -
Why is shorted wiring a significant concern mentioned in the article?
It causes disruptive to deadly malfunctions due to stray parts. -
What suggestion did a YouTube commenter make for a tighter fit?
Using a vacuum former. -
Can the custom cover include access points for specific components?
Yes, custom window cutouts can be made for DIP switches or trimmers.
