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Enclosure Discussion

chad

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 12, 2024
Messages
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Welcome to the Servo Buddy Enclosure Design discussion thread! This space is dedicated to gathering your thoughts, feedback, and creative ideas on the physical design of the Servo Buddy. As we refine this essential tool for RC enthusiasts, your input is crucial to ensuring that the enclosure is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.

Whether it's the durability of the materials, the ease of battery access, or the overall look and feel, we want to hear what you think. Do you have suggestions for improving the design? Are there features you feel are missing? This is your chance to help shape the future of Servo Buddy.

Please share your thoughts, sketches, and any other feedback you might have. Your contributions are invaluable as we aim to make Servo Buddy the best it can be. Let's create something great together!

Servo Buddy is an open-source project
This means that its design, software, and hardware specifications are publicly accessible. We encourage community collaboration and value your contributions to the ongoing development and improvement of Servo Buddy.
 
Hello, So I received mine today (Unit 01 of 50!), I was shocked to see that I got #1 :D. I haven't fully put it through it's paces yet, but early enclosure thoughts. The quality of the print is superb. I can immediately tell a lot of thought went into the smallest details. For example how the battery cover locks into the groove on the side opposite the screw. The fit up on that must have taken a bunch of print iterations on both the enclosure and cover to nail down. That's not to mention the main board itself. Please realize any "critical" feedback that I have is picking at the smallest of nits. This thing is very impressive as-is, so respect for the thought and work that went into this.

- Ok, Early thoughts... Being as the battery cover is to be removed and replaced by the user, consider using a heatset insert (Maybe not possible due to resin material), repeated removal/installation of the screw is going to egg out the hole eventually. (Again, it will probably take forever in practice). If the plan for the end product is to injection mold than maybe this option becomes more viable with a change of material (ie ABS).

- The screen (at least on my unit) isn't centered in the cutout. This isn't noticeable during normal operation and the UI design (staying away from the edges) effectively makes this a non-issue, however if future updates incorporate more screen area, this might be an area for concern. I also realize how challenging this can be to nail down. I have had similar projects, I have done it by laser cutting a mask out of black construction paper and then covering that with an acrylic lens, also not a perfect approach and acrylic is less than desirable because of how soft it is and prone to scratches.

- Please consider adding a small wrist tether hole in the bottom corner. This will prevent users from dropping it and also allow them to hang it up on their pegboard.

image below, apologies for the blurriness, this was hard to capture as it only appears for a very brief moment, however this does show the screen alignment
1736987328528.png



Black construction paper mask...
1736987569261.png
If I were doing this again, I would use smaller and/or counter sunk screws.
1736988615224.png

Again, the things I bring up are very, very minor. As for the feedback take it or leave it, just trying to help, no offense taken if my ideas are dismissed, it's all part of the overall discussion, this thing is awesome in it's current state. I can't wait to put it through its paces more.

Blue Skies,
-Tom
 
I'm new to this board, but not FliteTest, so I just received my servo buddy today (#22), and my first impressions of the case are quite good. I had a few points that immediately crossed my mind though. Firstly, I had the same thought as above about a threaded insert for the battery door screw. Second was the 90 degree edges on the backside feel slightly out of place with the rest of the case design; I see why they are that way, and dont know how you could fit a larger chamfer/radius there, but it would be nice. Thirdly, and probably the biggest one for me, on my unit the button sits slightly proud of the top surface, which feels very nice in operation, but if you sit it in a field box face down, or with something flat on top, you load up the switch, potentially impacting both switch wear and battery life negatively.

Really neat little device overall, and these are all very minor points just for feedback, glad I was able to get one early!
 
Hello, So I received mine today (Unit 01 of 50!), I was shocked to see that I got #1 :D. I haven't fully put it through it's paces yet, but early enclosure thoughts. The quality of the print is superb. I can immediately tell a lot of thought went into the smallest details. For example how the battery cover locks into the groove on the side opposite the screw. The fit up on that must have taken a bunch of print iterations on both the enclosure and cover to nail down. That's not to mention the main board itself. Please realize any "critical" feedback that I have is picking at the smallest of nits. This thing is very impressive as-is, so respect for the thought and work that went into this.

- Ok, Early thoughts... Being as the battery cover is to be removed and replaced by the user, consider using a heatset insert (Maybe not possible due to resin material), repeated removal/installation of the screw is going to egg out the hole eventually. (Again, it will probably take forever in practice). If the plan for the end product is to injection mold than maybe this option becomes more viable with a change of material (ie ABS).

- The screen (at least on my unit) isn't centered in the cutout. This isn't noticeable during normal operation and the UI design (staying away from the edges) effectively makes this a non-issue, however if future updates incorporate more screen area, this might be an area for concern. I also realize how challenging this can be to nail down. I have had similar projects, I have done it by laser cutting a mask out of black construction paper and then covering that with an acrylic lens, also not a perfect approach and acrylic is less than desirable because of how soft it is and prone to scratches.

- Please consider adding a small wrist tether hole in the bottom corner. This will prevent users from dropping it and also allow them to hang it up on their pegboard.

image below, apologies for the blurriness, this was hard to capture as it only appears for a very brief moment, however this does show the screen alignment
Thanks a ton for sharing your initial thoughts and congrats on snagging unit #01 of Servo Buddy! It’s awesome to hear that you’re noticing the quality and the little details we worked on.

Fun Fact: YOU are the only one with the resin 3D printed case including the Flite Test logo! However, be careful, it is a bit more fragile than the filament style case.

About your feedback:
  • Battery Cover: Love the idea of using a heatset insert for the screw. It's definitely a good call to help the cover last longer through lots of opens and closes. We’re looking into possibly doing injection molding for the final version.
  • Screen Alignment: Thanks for pointing out the screen alignment. We know it’s a bit off, and getting that spot-on can be tricky. Your suggestion about using a laser-cut mask is helpful.
  • Wrist Tether: Adding a spot for a wrist tether is a great idea and wouldn't take away from anything.
Really appreciate you taking the time to snap a photo too. it’s okay that it’s blurry! Every bit of feedback like this is valuable for us.

Keep the comments coming as you get more hands-on time with your Servo Buddy. We’re here for all of it, the good and the nitty-gritty!
 
I'm new to this board, but not FliteTest, so I just received my servo buddy today (#22), and my first impressions of the case are quite good. I had a few points that immediately crossed my mind though. Firstly, I had the same thought as above about a threaded insert for the battery door screw. Second was the 90 degree edges on the backside feel slightly out of place with the rest of the case design; I see why they are that way, and dont know how you could fit a larger chamfer/radius there, but it would be nice. Thirdly, and probably the biggest one for me, on my unit the button sits slightly proud of the top surface, which feels very nice in operation, but if you sit it in a field box face down, or with something flat on top, you load up the switch, potentially impacting both switch wear and battery life negatively.

Really neat little device overall, and these are all very minor points just for feedback, glad I was able to get one early!
Great to have you on board and stoked you got your hands on Servo Buddy #22!
  • Battery Door Screw: Seems like the threaded insert idea is a popular one! It’s definitely on our radar now for making that battery door more durable.
  • Case Edges: I get what you’re saying about the 90-degree edges feeling a bit out of place. Noted.
  • Button Alignment: That’s a really good point about the button sitting proud of the surface. It’s great to hear it feels good in use, but you're right about the potential for wear if it's pressed down accidentally in a field box. I think it needs to be lowered.
Really appreciate you sharing these points... Enjoy using your Servo Buddy, and keep the insights coming!
 
+1 for the threaded insert if the case is 3d printed. If you plan to injection mold a snap fit or slide lock might be a better design choice.
 
Last edited:
#15 checking in. Love it - have set up 2 planes with it already. I love the simplicity. Only thing I see (and it's pretty minor) is my button is off centered. Still works great!
 
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