PCB slot type housing?

[multi-volti]

Hello:

I bought a phone preamp PCB on eBay that has no mounting holes. It may have a ground plane so I think I'll avoid drilling holes in it. It's a simple circuit so I assume only two-layer copper.

I have seen enclosures made of either an extrusion and cover, or 4 extruded plates and screws, that have slots to hold PC boards but am not finding many choices...unbranded random sizes online.

The board is 100 x 220 mm.

Any suggestions for slotted enclosure, or edge clips to hold the board in an oversized chassis?

I had the awful thought of double-sided foam tape.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Murray

 

[multi-volti]

Schroff PBT plastic guide rails...hmm, that's an idea.

 

[multi-volti]

Cost more than the board.

Bivar card guides mounted (glued) to a couple aluminum rails in any chassis. Cheap...
https://www.newark.com/bivar/dc-800/card-guide-nylon-6-8inch/dp/92F7963?st=pcb card guides

100x220x1.6 mm PCB.

Other ideas welcome...

 

[tomchr]

I wonder if you could scavenge something from a computer/electronics recycling place. Older PCs, test equipment, and the like has all sorts of board guides.

Know anybody with a 3D printer?

I get several useful results by searching for "circuit board guide" on eBay. No option will be perfect, but I bet you can make something work.

Tom

 

[Chartal]

Have a look at Hammond.
I think they have a size that can fit your need.


Extruded Aluminum Enclosures (1455 Series) - Hammond Mfg.

 

[avtech]

+1 for the Hammond series.

 

[levistubby]

RS Components have the ideal case. It has internal slots specifically for 100mm wide pcbs.
The 225mm long case is the one to go for. Only last week I bought another of the 125mm long versions and am very pleased with them. I don't know how easy it is to get RS items in the US.

RS PRO Black Anodised Aluminium Instrument Case, 225 x 105 x 61mm | RS Components

 

[rabbitz]

For cases with slots such as the 1455 series, make sure the PCB doesn't have tracks or copper going out into to the slot area of the case. Usually it's not a problem but can get shorts etc. If in doubt, insulate the edges.

 

[multi-volti]

Thank you, all.

RS items are frustratingly absent here...I have sought other items from European magazines that were RS and they were just unique enough it was disappointing.

The Hammond line looked good too.

The Bivar card guides are polymer, under 2 USD each, allowing me to use a 'Bud Box' I already have...I just want the quickest way out of this...the project is getting way too complicated and just has to work & be cat-proof.

The RS and Hammond enclosures are things of beauty.

Very good point on sliding a PCB into a metallic slot. Yes, the ground plane goes almost to the very edge, but I wouldn't want random unintentional connections to the housing.

Hey, there is a connection between RS Pro and Allied Electronics & Automation...I saw 26 pounds on the RS Pro link and thought "ugh, exchange rate, too."

It's less in the US...which doesn't make a lot of sense.

185-3221 at Allied Electronics & Automation, Inc

 

[mickeymoose]

https://edac.net/series/card-guides

 

[myleftear]

You could use nylon-standoffs, and file off a groove into each of them. The standoffs would ideally be high enough so that you can secure them (so that the pcb is held in place, respectively „tucked“...)
Or you could use a rubberband to keep it tight, this could be place under the PCB and so height issues etc. are gone ...



Apologies for the drawing quality—fingertip on smartphone...

 

[rabbitz]

I've used standoffs to secure PCB without holes. I use a transistor insulating bush in conjunction with the standoff. For 3mm standoffs I use a nylon washer below to give more surface area and for 4mm standoffs (using M3 screws) I add an additional bush that goes into the standoff hole to act as a washer. The bigger the OD on the standoff the better as has a larger surface area to grip the PCB.

The pics show in use, 3mm standoff, 4mm standoff. A bit fiddly but works as long as there is not too much lateral force.