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When i first decided to make a display case to show the module i did not have a definite idea of what i wanted. The design was very "iterative", which is a posh word for i made it up as i bumbled along, and happened over a period of about three years. The first thing that i designed was the support. About the time of drawing up the support i saw some jewellery on display mounted on a turntable, and that got me thinking. I decided to fix the support to a turntable & box in the turntable with a cover
When i first decided to make a display case to show the module i did not have a definite idea of what i wanted. The design was very "iterative", which is a posh word for i made it up as i bumbled along, and happened over a period of about three years. The first thing that i designed was the support. About the time of drawing up the support i saw some jewellery on display mounted on a turntable, and that got me thinking. I decided to fix the support to a turntable & box in the turntable with a cover
3d printed support. This was designed as two pieces. The was to allow the shroud to be assembled over the turntable in one piece, with only a small hole in the top
3d printed support. This was designed as two pieces. The was to allow the shroud to be assembled over the turntable in one piece, with only a small hole in the top
The first turntable purchased was quite a large one, it was the smallest i could find at the time
The first turntable purchased was quite a large one, it was the smallest i could find at the time
The turntable shown boxed in using sheets of black styrene sheet. Around about this time i also decided to add some lighting to the display
The turntable shown boxed in using sheets of black styrene sheet. Around about this time i also decided to add some lighting to the display
With the lights added two things became apparent. Firstly the lighs would need shielding a little, secondly some kind of a black backdrop was needed.
With the lights added two things became apparent. Firstly the lighs would need shielding a little, secondly some kind of a black backdrop was needed.
I added the only piece of black styrene that was left, allthough too small it confirmed the idea was sound
I added the only piece of black styrene that was left, allthough too small it confirmed the idea was sound
By this time the project was left idle for a while, looking back now that idle period coincided with the Covid era. When i started looking at it again i was in two minds whether or not to pursue it. This was because of the size of the turntable. Previously the smallest one i could find was about 180mm diameter and by the time a shroud was built the whole thing became too big and bulky for my liking. I did track one down on Amazon, but dithered about and when i decided to buy it was not available. Then luckily when i was on a website looking for some cables i happened upon just the item i wanted. 120mm diameter, and with the bonus of being remote controlled. To top off the suitability it also came with the option of power supplied via a USB charging cable
By this time the project was left idle for a while, looking back now that idle period coincided with the Covid era. When i started looking at it again i was in two minds whether or not to pursue it. This was because of the size of the turntable. Previously the smallest one i could find was about 180mm diameter and by the time a shroud was built the whole thing became too big and bulky for my liking. I did track one down on Amazon, but dithered about and when i decided to buy it was not available. Then luckily when i was on a website looking for some cables i happened upon just the item i wanted. 120mm diameter, and with the bonus of being remote controlled. To top off the suitability it also came with the option of power supplied via a USB charging cable
Next job was to build up a full scale mock up to confirm all sizes and positions of components.
Next job was to build up a full scale mock up to confirm all sizes and positions of components.
In the second image the issue with the lights shining in your eyes was fixed by adding some "lampshades"
In the second image the issue with the lights shining in your eyes was fixed by adding some "lampshades"
Now that the concept was finalised the next decision was how and what to make it from. Around this time i had been making a display base for another project and had used glossy acrylic, i was impressed with the material, and also the dimensional accuracy. It is supplied laser cut, and you can get round holes cut, even down to 2mm in diameter in 10mm thick material. This made up my mind for the choice of material for the plinth and sub plate for the turntable. For the main housing i initially went for a construction of black finished aluminium, 1mm thick. I contacted a fabrication company who made museum grade display cases and obtained a quote. The quote duly came back, and it was in excess of £1000. The project was rapidly shelved again
Now that the concept was finalised the next decision was how and what to make it from. Around this time i had been making a display base for another project and had used glossy acrylic, i was impressed with the material, and also the dimensional accuracy. It is supplied laser cut, and you can get round holes cut, even down to 2mm in diameter in 10mm thick material. This made up my mind for the choice of material for the plinth and sub plate for the turntable. For the main housing i initially went for a construction of black finished aluminium, 1mm thick. I contacted a fabrication company who made museum grade display cases and obtained a quote. The quote duly came back, and it was in excess of £1000. The project was rapidly shelved again
Here is a 3d rendering of the initial design that was given to the fabrictors,. The bottom two sheets would be the acrylic. The grey top section the aluminium
Here is a 3d rendering of the initial design that was given to the fabrictors,. The bottom two sheets would be the acrylic. The grey top section the aluminium
Yet again the project was kicked back into life by chance. My brother asked me to build up a small model of the titanic for one of his kids. I duly pieced it together and as is my wont decided to light it up and put it in a display case. This meant making a base for the power supply for the lights. Decision was made to make it black, so the wood was stained and polished. Then i had a lightbulb moment-what if the module display was primarily wood, with only a couple of flat pieces of aluminium, surely that would keep the costs down...............
Yet again the project was kicked back into life by chance. My brother asked me to build up a small model of the titanic for one of his kids. I duly pieced it together and as is my wont decided to light it up and put it in a display case. This meant making a base for the power supply for the lights. Decision was made to make it black, so the wood was stained and polished. Then i had a lightbulb moment-what if the module display was primarily wood, with only a couple of flat pieces of aluminium, surely that would keep the costs down...............
I made a few enquiries and found an engineering company that could laser cut 1mm plates, they also agreed to send on the plates to an anodising company so they could be finished with a hard anodised black finish.
I made a few enquiries and found an engineering company that could laser cut 1mm plates, they also agreed to send on the plates to an anodising company so they could be finished with a hard anodised black finish.
With the plan finalised the acrylic plates were obtained
With the plan finalised the acrylic plates were obtained
I contacted an old friend who has a joinery company. I took the mock up and the acrylic to him and explained what i was looking for. From that he made me the main housing
I contacted an old friend who has a joinery company. I took the mock up and the acrylic to him and explained what i was looking for. From that he made me the main housing
The housing was then assembled with all the components for a fit check
The housing was then assembled with all the components for a fit check
The connection shown here supplies the power for the lights
The connection shown here supplies the power for the lights
The connection to the left is for powering the turntable
The connection to the left is for powering the turntable
The completed assembly
The completed assembly
Now that i had the assembly completed i could measure up for the aluminium plates. The drawings were drawn using solid edge CAD and sent to the fabricator.
Now that i had the assembly completed i could measure up for the aluminium plates. The drawings were drawn using solid edge CAD and sent to the fabricator.
I went to work and took the aluminium tubes with me so i could machine up the light shades
I went to work and took the aluminium tubes with me so i could machine up the light shades
The plates were duly delivered and when i returned home it was time to start the final assembly.
The plates were duly delivered and when i returned home it was time to start the final assembly.
One thing that i had not decided upon was how to fix the plates to the wood frame. I had made up some small threaded nylon posts and was going to drill holes in the frame and glue them in place.
One thing that i had not decided upon was how to fix the plates to the wood frame. I had made up some small threaded nylon posts and was going to drill holes in the frame and glue them in place.
Yet again it was another case of "luck" that when i was reaching for the drill box i noticed a box that i had forgotten I had. Said box contained some small threaded brass inserts.
Yet again it was another case of "luck" that when i was reaching for the drill box i noticed a box that i had forgotten I had. Said box contained some small threaded brass inserts.
Threaded brass inserts
Threaded brass inserts
Small wooden tabs glued onto the the corners of the flat face. Positions of the holes were marked through the plate. A small hole was drilled, and the brass insert knocked into place
Small wooden tabs glued onto the the corners of the flat face. Positions of the holes were marked through the plate. A small hole was drilled, and the brass insert knocked into place
The wood frame can be seen here with the stain applied and wax polished, with the threaded inserts in place
The wood frame can be seen here with the stain applied and wax polished, with the threaded inserts in place
The lamp shades were profiled by cutting away a small section, the nylon bush had been made up for the purpose of holding them in the vice to cut away the unwanted material. They were then painted a nice matt black
The lamp shades were profiled by cutting away a small section, the nylon bush had been made up for the purpose of holding them in the vice to cut away the unwanted material. They were then painted a nice matt black
With all the parts ready and three and a half years in the making it was time for the final assembly
With all the parts ready and three and a half years in the making it was time for the final assembly
The protective cover was removed from the plinth. This has the M6 fixing studs threaded in to it
The protective cover was removed from the plinth. This has the M6 fixing studs threaded in to it
The turntable locating sub plate is installed. This has the two terminal blocks attached to it. One block is to split the incoming 240V positive, the other to split the incoming 240v neutral
The turntable locating sub plate is installed. This has the two terminal blocks attached to it. One block is to split the incoming 240V positive, the other to split the incoming 240v neutral
The turntable is installed, along with the LED power supplies
The turntable is installed, along with the LED power supplies
The electrical receptacles were fixed into place. Getting the USB power connection and relevant cable took a lot of searching for, especially for a grease monkey like myself who has trouble understanding electrical terminology. Essentially the connector in the frame is a female USB C connection on both sides. The cable is a USB C male at one end, and USB Micro at the other end to suit the turntable
The electrical receptacles were fixed into place. Getting the USB power connection and relevant cable took a lot of searching for, especially for a grease monkey like myself who has trouble understanding electrical terminology. Essentially the connector in the frame is a female USB C connection on both sides. The cable is a USB C male at one end, and USB Micro at the other end to suit the turntable
Power for the lights to the left. Power for the turntable to the right
Power for the lights to the left. Power for the turntable to the right
The lights are hooked up and ready to go, as is the turntable
The lights are hooked up and ready to go, as is the turntable
The top plate was fixed in place, and then the back plate
The top plate was fixed in place, and then the back plate
Final job was to fix the nameplate to the front, and with that done final measurements taken to have a clear acrylic case made up to protect it all
Final job was to fix the nameplate to the front, and with that done final measurements taken to have a clear acrylic case made up to protect it all
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