The Adafruit RFID Breakout Board Wand for MakerBot

thingiverse

UPDATE! My sincerest apologies, I mistakenly uploaded the incorrect back-end model yesterday. I realized my error last night when attempting to print it out. I've rectified the situation and as of Tues 5/21/13, the models are functioning correctly. This is a protective enclosure for the Adafruit RFID Breakout Board, which is an exceptional product used in my RiderScan project (http://www.adafruit.com/products/364). As I will be using this project in a Horse Barn environment, I needed a sturdy and functional enclosure. This is my second attempt at designing such an enclosure using Blender and my MakerBot Replicator. I'm currently working on ideas for a third design. The RFID Breakout Board is designed by Kevin Townsand of Adafruit, a highly regarded company that I wanted to honor with this enclosure, which features both the Adafruit and MakerBot logos. This is one of my proudest modeling projects, and I hope it proves useful for your own projects as well. Don't forget to visit http://www.makerbot.com for more information on the MakerBot Replicator! I will be making updates to the handle today, so stay tuned for a new version soon. Kris Instructions: I designed the models to fit together securely and be easily disassembled when needed. You may wish to add rubber o-rings around the outside for extra protection against the elements. The models can be printed in any type of plastic, with ABS or PLA working well. This design is suitable for single extrusion. To assemble, print each .STL model as follows: 1a. The front model (with the Adafruit logo) should be printed on its side. Place it flat on the platform for printing. 1b. The back/handle model should be printed on its end, with the base or hilt of the handle resting on the platform to stand upright. Solder a set of 90-degree bend header to the breakout board (like these: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/M20-9960645/952-2247-ND/3728211). Be sure to solder the SEL0 and SEL1 pins on the board (do not use header here; keep the board as flat as possible for a proper fit in the front-end. For default/SPI use, solder the two OFF pins for SEL0, and the two ON pins for SEL1). Once printed, insert the Adafruit RFID breakout board into the slot designed for it on the Front-End of the model and push it all the way in. It should fit snugly. If you wish to add optional LEDs, push them through the openings on both sides and run the wires through the center of the handle. Solder male header onto the ends for easy connection at the controller end. Use waterproof wire connectors (like: http://www.adafruit.com/products/744) if you plan to use this outdoors. Connect the wires onto the header on the RFID board and LEDs, and run the wires through the handle. Stay tuned for an update with instructions on how to wire it all together from the Adafruit forum post (http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=22139). Thank you, and please provide any feedback! Good luck with your project. Kris