0
From prototype to production
As coding for the ScoreSure Golf Pro game score keeping device comes to a close (a few more days testing should see it finished) thoughts are already turning to enclosures and presentation.
The initial idea was to place a PP3 battery (or block of 4xAAA batteries) alongside one edge of the circuit board, effectively placing the screen in the middle of the device (think original Game Boy Advance handhelds). Even with a relatively bulky battery pack, the overall footprint would still be quite small
Maplin stock a handheld enclosure with battery compartment which, on first appearance looks like a perfect fit for the PCB. The only issue is that, in a plain black oblong shaped box, it might look a little "plain".
However, such enclosures also include a recess on the front panel, which is ideally suited to adding your own keypad/graphic. Robot Steve has designed a range of prototypes for the ScoreSure range of devices (each type of device could be housed in a similar enclosure, each with a differing facia).
Even though it's very early days, such designs are very encouraging.
There are still a few decisions which may alter the enclosure requirements (e.g. whether using a 7.4v rechargeable lipo battery and USB charging circuit, in place of AAA rechargeables is a suitable option) but hopfully it won't be too long before we're back to etching circuit boards and making up prototypes to actually try out on the golf course!
The initial idea was to place a PP3 battery (or block of 4xAAA batteries) alongside one edge of the circuit board, effectively placing the screen in the middle of the device (think original Game Boy Advance handhelds). Even with a relatively bulky battery pack, the overall footprint would still be quite small
Maplin stock a handheld enclosure with battery compartment which, on first appearance looks like a perfect fit for the PCB. The only issue is that, in a plain black oblong shaped box, it might look a little "plain".
However, such enclosures also include a recess on the front panel, which is ideally suited to adding your own keypad/graphic. Robot Steve has designed a range of prototypes for the ScoreSure range of devices (each type of device could be housed in a similar enclosure, each with a differing facia).
Even though it's very early days, such designs are very encouraging.
There are still a few decisions which may alter the enclosure requirements (e.g. whether using a 7.4v rechargeable lipo battery and USB charging circuit, in place of AAA rechargeables is a suitable option) but hopfully it won't be too long before we're back to etching circuit boards and making up prototypes to actually try out on the golf course!
Posts
Post a Comment