DCC EX / DCC++ case for Arduino and motor shield

thingiverse

This is a case for a DCC EX or DCC++ model railroad power system using an Arduino - https://dcc-ex.com/. It is replaces my old design and is my first attempt at a Fusion 360 project. I have recently added an entire second design- version 3. I originally (version two below) was thinking of only a mega and a motor shield, then I fit in a wi-fi shield, an LCD, then a fan- and it was really too small. So I decided that for myself, I wanted more room and a sloped top- now available as version 3. I set it up for an LCD screen with an I2c interface which is labeled "2004A" on the back. I do not guarantee that all 20 x 4 LCD screens have the same spacing for mounting holes or displays. I have also uploaded version 2, which has three variants of the top at this point, but they all fit the same bases. The most recent variant will hold a 20 x 4 LCD display in the top, and has room for a wi-fi shield in addition to the motor shield. You may have to bend the pins using an LCD in this version because it is tight as shown in the picture. (I never intended to fit an LCD in the top when I originally designed it- I got lucky it was just big enough). It also has holes on the end that will allow bolting a 40 mm fan to the case. A 10mm thick fan MIGHT fit inside, or a thicker fan outside. It has round mesh ventilation because the older slot pattern did not always print reliably. You can use this variant with or without a fan. Another version two case top is set up for a 40x10 fan without an LCD and there is a no LCD, no fan version. In both versions the tops are designed to use either a snap closure, or a short screw can be used to fasten the top of the case more securely. (There really multiple STLs although Thingiverse only seems to show one render) When you print, you will need to support the underside of the clip on the base that hold the top, the clip openings in the top, and the opening for the motor shield terminals. The other portions seem to print OK without support. If anyone has any suggestions let me know- I make no guarantees, but you never know. NOTE: The Arduino mounting holes are correctly spaced on my case printed on my Bibo 2 (a great printer by the way). I sliced it with Simplify 3D. Different slicers and printers can be off in the X, Y or Z axis, or all three. That can create errors in the spacing. Print the base first and check the spacing, scale it as necessary, and then when you print the top scale it by the same percentage. That is true of any model that has critical spacing.