Quote Originally Posted by thomashomer1986 View Post
Hello all. I am currently in the process of wiring up my electronics for my CNC router, but as money is tight, I don't really want to buy an enclosure. Is it easy enough to make one myself?

I have access to a water jet cutter at work so was thinking of just having it cut out of sheet metal ready to fold up like a cardboard box. However, as I am not very electronically minded I wanted to ask some basic (probably stupid) questions.

1. How big will my enclosure need to be? I am housing a standard off the shelf 48v PSU, along with the leadshine mx3660. How much free air space do I need to leave around them?

2. What material would be best? Ali or steel, or does it even matter? Can I paint it?

3. What other features should I incorporate? Such as a dedicated earth fixing point?

Thanks.
Hi,

1. Why not layout all the bits you have and the work from there for an idea of size needed, you could also think about using some stand-off's (spacers) and make it multi leveled.

2. I dont think it would matter really, mine is a plastic type with a steel tray you screw in. I dont have the steel tray so plan to use some 5mm ali or somthing.

3. Do some reading up on the forums with regards to earthing, a single point, using star arrangement is the prefered method i believe, though you do need to pay more attention to the earthing, so best to have a read up as the answers are there.

.Me