The Arducase

 Design Concept

Image 1. Initial Concept Sketch

       Our goal was to create an enclosure for the Arduino board which would allow it to be easily transferable between devices. The issue arose when we realized we would have to dismantle a prototype if we wished to use the Arduino board in the next one. Our solution was to create an enclosure with a connector that would allow the enclosure to be inserted into a hub. When creating a prototype, instead of wiring directly on to the Arduino Board, you would wire into the hub. This would allow the Arduino board to be removed from the prototype and transferred to any other device created with the hub. Above (Image 1) is a concept sketch for the Arducase. Originally we started with the idea of having a pin connector or a connector similar to those seen in ram memory cards. The Arducase could have pegs to connect multiple enclosures together. The hub would have a similar peg system to match the stacked Arducases. 

Image 2.  Concept Sketch 2

         We also explored the idea of an enclosure which could be expanded to accept Arduino add-ons. One of the best features of the Arduino board is the ability to stack add-ons to the pin headers. This version of the case, seen in I age 2, would focus on keeping that stability and the expansion ring would allow for the clearance needed. however we determined that this design would take away from our goal of creating an easily swappable enclosure. Although it is easy to stack an add-o n, you would still have to rewire the entire Arduino board to the enclosure. We feel the loss of the stackability of add-ons is outweighed by simplicity of connecting multiple Arducases, each containing the individual boards. 

Image 3. Copper Foil

         Having students in mind as out target audience, we wanted to make an enclosure that would be affordable and easy to Assembly. Our design utilizes a copper foil tape with a conductive adhesive to create contacts for the connector. (Image 3)  The benefit of the copper foil allows the case to be assembled without the use of solder. A user strips the shielding off the end of a wire, then wraps a piece of foil to create a contact. The user would then apply the opposite end of the foil onto a surface of the connector.

 Design Progression

Phase 1

Image 4. Concept Sketch 3

The sizing of the features at this point of the development was purely based of the ascetics design of the third concept sketch

(Image 4). As the model(Image 5) progressed, we stripped away unnecessary features so that the final product would use the least amount of material.

Image 5. Phase 1 Solidworks Model 

Phase 2

Image 6. Phase 2 Solidworks Model

After re-sizing (Image 6). The width of the copper foil tape drove the width dimensions of the Arducase. We wanted the ability to have 40 contacts available for enclosing a motor shield; the motor shield would have 32 pin for the broad's input/outputs and up to 8 pins for stepper motor outputs. To reduce size even more we rotated the boards orientation.

Image 7. Failed prototype 

We brought Phase 2 to the prototyping stage but encountered production issues. The first 3-D print (Image 7) was deformed but we were still able to learn from it and improve the design.








Phase 3

Image 8. Final Arducase Enclosure  

The final product (Image 8, 9, 10) was reduced in size and given a sleeker look. We learned from the failed prototype that there were unnecessary parts that could be designed into the enclosure base, thus giving us a product with minimal parts.

The Arducase Enclosure
(Image 8)  holds the Arduino board, which is wired to the connector.

Image 9. Arducase Hub

The Arducase Hub (Image 9)
receives the Arducase Enclosure and allows communication between the device and Arduino board.

Image 10. Arducases linked

Multiple Arducase Assemblies can be connected together (Image 10) to add Arduino attachments like a motor shield.

Arducase Initial Concept By Jason Savage

Project Description

Our project proposes a solution to make the Arduino board as easy to use possible. Our proposal is encasing the Arduino board within a module which would bring the terminals to a central pin connector: the Arducase. When building a device or prototype, instead of wiring directly to the Arduino board, you would connect everything into a pin connector receiver. The Arducase would then be inserted into the receiver, connecting the device to the Arduino board. When the prototype is complete and the users wish to move on to the next project, they only need to remove the Arducase from the receiver. The Arducase allows the previous project to stay intact and free to be used in other projects. If the user wants to return to the project, they only have to insert the Arducase to continue its functionality.  The innovation of our idea is having an enclosed micro controller that can be transferred to any device allowing a user to have one micro controller to be used with all of their devices -- one micro controller to rule them all. We chose this project because we believe the design of the Arducase will be feasible with the experience of our team members. It will help expand our understanding of Arduino based micro controllers and the many applications for which it can be used. We also had to be mindful of the time needed to develop our ideas considering our other obligations outside of this project. Overall the idea of the Arducase was the most practical among the other concepts we explored.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right : Yehya Merhi, Adam Yassine,
Michael Ciulla, Jason Savage

Welcome to Team PM3's Blog!

team name = (1 Plastics, 3 Mechanical)

University of Massachusetts Lowell 

 Francis College of Engineering 

Dean's Prototyping challenge