Author Topic: circuit board stands / mounting (Read 1964 times)

ntjedi · « **on:** October 13, 2003, 10:42:27 am »

I am trying to find a (good?) way to mount my J-pac to the inside of my machine. I know that ultimarc has stands for sale but didnt want to spend the shipping money for something that I might be able to get local. Those stands do look nice. I was tempted to just take some motherboard mounts and drill a couple of holes and use them.

What do you guys think, or do you know a local (in the US) place to get something that will help?

BobA · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2003, 10:49:27 am »

I use nylon standoffs available at home depot with the right sized screw. They are available in many lengths and sizes in the fastener department.

BobA

ntjedi · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2003, 10:57:10 am »

Thanks Boba I will check those out.

Minwah · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2003, 10:59:23 am »

I believe Happ sells similar mounts as well. Might be worth checking if you happen to be ordering from Happ...

ntjedi · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2003, 11:36:26 am »

Ah yes, Happ has them. They are called "pcb mouting feet" (duh!).

Thats exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!!

RandyT · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2003, 11:52:10 am »

Here's something I have done in the past when trying to save a buck:

Look for some heavy-walled (rigid), thin poly tubing. Use a razor blade to cut the length you want and then mount with a suitable wood screw or nut and bolt.

Might not be exactly what you are asking for, but standoffs don't come much cheaper than this

FWIW,
RandyT

IG-88 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2003, 12:34:05 pm »

Quote from: ntjedi on October 13, 2003, 10:42:27 am

I am trying to find a (good?) way to mount my J-pac to the inside of my machine.

Can't you just screw it right down onto the wood? Or is this a bad idea? I did with my i-pac and haven't had any problems.

tmasman · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2003, 12:56:34 pm »

well...
You can, but you run a better chance of cracking the PCB or shorting something out by doing that...

It's not a very safe method, but if it works for you...

In a pinch I've also just cutout a piece of corrugated cardboard & sandwiched it between the PCB & the wood I'm mounting it to... It allowed a little protection for the solder points instead of them being jammed into the wood.

But I would definately suggest using some sort of mounting "feet" to suspend the PCB above the mounting surface if you can.

(In other words, do what I say, not what I do...)

ErikRuud · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2003, 01:59:41 pm »

The first time I got some aluminum spacers from Ace Hardware to use as standoffs.

I was working on cab for someone else last week, and I used some rigid styrene tubing that I had on hand. Like Randy said, just cut it to length.

RandyT · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2003, 02:05:36 pm »

Quote from: tmasman on October 13, 2003, 12:56:34 pm

In a pinch I've also just cutout a piece of corrugated cardboard & sandwiched it between the PCB & the wood I'm mounting it to... It allowed a little protection for the solder points instead of them being jammed into the wood.

This will help protect the PCB from mechanical stress, but probably won't help insulate the circuitry much.

Cardboard is porous, so it will attract moisture from the air and it could eventually become conductive. The conductivity of the glue used in making corrugated cardboard may also be an issue over time.

A piece of anti-static foam or something made of plastic (pink bubble wrap?) might be better in a pinch. But like you said, nothing is better than air.

RandyT

Minwah · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2003, 03:43:24 pm »

Quote from: RandyT on October 13, 2003, 02:05:36 pm

A piece of anti-static foam or something made of plastic (pink bubble wrap?) might be better in a pinch. But like you said, nothing is better than air.

I think I heard that the pink anti-static bubble-wrap is actually conductive!

Hammerbot · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2003, 03:54:13 pm »

I just asked my IT guys at work. One of them aways has a bag of screws and brass standoffs that they get form different equiptment. Then I thread the screws into a piece of plexiglass and mount the plexiglass to the inside of the CP enclosure.

I wouldn't let the back of the J-pac touch anything. Why risk a short. Nothing like a 32 oz mountain dew to conduct 5 volts to everything all at once. Just dew it.

RandyT · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2003, 04:14:43 pm »

Quote from: Minwah on October 13, 2003, 03:43:24 pm

I think I heard that the pink anti-static bubble-wrap is actually conductive!

Naww. I just checked 3 different varieties with my meter. Nothing.

But some anti-static products are. Those black ones, and probably the metallic mylar as well.

RandyT

SirPeale · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2003, 02:43:38 pm »

Take an old Bic pen (the white barrel kind) and cut into even sized pieces.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2003, 11:15:41 am »

I used some plastic things for holding down cables against a wall.

I cut the sides off (so it wasn't round... only the top and bottom stuck out). And it did a good job.

IG-88 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:17:43 pm »

Aquarium airline tubing?

SirPeale · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2003, 02:43:26 pm »

Quote from: IG-88 on October 15, 2003, 12:17:43 pm

Aquarium airline tubing?

Too mushy.


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