Handheld Enclosure for 2.8" TFT LCD

[imokitchi]

I'm looking for a nice handheld enclosure that I can just 'drop in' a "2.8" 18-bit color TFT LCD with touchscreen breakout board" (the one Adafruit sells). I've looked at Pactec enclosures, etc., but no joy so far. Has anyone found a nice widely available handheld enclosure that mates well with this product. I want to avoid having to customize the opening on some generic enclosure with a dremel or whatever.

Advice?

Thanks

[adafruit]

its a new device so we havent seen anything great. however, we could make a mounting plate out of acrylic that you could spraypaint and then mount to something else
we also have mounting tabs so you just need to cut a rectangular hole for the display

[imokitchi]

Hi Adafruit,

Thanks for the quick reply! The reason I'm looking for a widely available enclosure that it can be 'dropped-in' is to potentially be able to release the project I'm working on as a 'kit' or 'instructable' that requires soldering and assembly only, and no modifications to the case (or very very minimal, ie drilling one round hole...). I'm quite able to make myself a one-off mounting plate for the prototype, but it doesn't accomplish the wider goal.

The project btw is a DIY trainable IR remote with a nice LCD touch display, and also some extra stuff to enable the interface to be 'scanning' and activated by an assistive/adaptive button switch for use by persons with physical limitations/challenges.

There potentially would be *hundreds* of these devices built.

[adafruit]

its -very- unlikely you will find any enclosure that fits any -particular- LCD as they are all different sizes. you will have to customize it!

[imokitchi]

Hi again,

Sadly, not the answer I was looking for, but thanks for the voice of experience.

I was just looking over the "enclosure for Arduino" on Adafruit that is designed for a 16X2 text LCD. This is very much along the lines of what I am looking for, if only it were designed to fit the 2.8" TFT LCD.... Was this enclosure commissioned by Adafruit? I don't suppose the 2.8" TFT LCD is poised to be your next big display hit and you were just on the verge of getting another similar enclosure made that fits the 2.8" display?

It mentions that the enclosure is "made in Canada"--can you tell me who? (I'm in Canada). How does one go about getting a 'custom' enclosure made? Any further advice, info, links to custom enclosure makers, ballpark estimates of cost, etc., all greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Imokitchi

[stinkbutt]

So long as the hole in your enclosure has is a rectangle with a ratio of 3:2 (same as the 360x240 of the screen) you should be fine. An iPod Classic comes to mind, by the way, provided you've got one you are willing to rip apart - The size of the hole and the ratio isn't exactly the same, but it's close and the rest of the iPod leaves room for the rest of your device, (at least, in theory...)

[adafruit]

Hi again,

Sadly, not the answer I was looking for, but thanks for the voice of experience.

I was just looking over the "enclosure for Arduino" on Adafruit that is designed for a 16X2 text LCD. This is very much along the lines of what I am looking for, if only it were designed to fit the 2.8" TFT LCD.... Was this enclosure commissioned by Adafruit? I don't suppose the 2.8" TFT LCD is poised to be your next big display hit and you were just on the verge of getting another similar enclosure made that fits the 2.8" display?

It mentions that the enclosure is "made in Canada"--can you tell me who? (I'm in Canada). How does one go about getting a 'custom' enclosure made? Any further advice, info, links to custom enclosure makers, ballpark estimates of cost, etc., all greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Imokitchi

unfortunately the scale is completely different. we sell -thousands- of 16x2 LCDs and they are the most common display sold for microcontrollers around the -world- so if you were to have any display supported it must be that one

an injection molded enclosure design often costs in the MANY THOUSANDS of dollars and injection molds cost that much as well, so perhaps a budget of $10,000 is wise. you could also 3D print an enclosure, that would cost $5 each or so but require a $1000-3000+ printer.
if we sell thousands (or even hundreds) of 2.8" displays we will look into an enclosure, perhaps the numbers mentioned will explain how enclosure design works in the real world.

until then we suggest lasercutting or maching a plate to fit into an existing enclosure, ponoko can help you with that

[imokitchi]

Thanks for all the sage advice,

I think I will just plough ahead and make a prototype. I may have some institutional support and access to a 3d printer if I get a working prototype made.

[rrmcbeth]

Did you ever make the enclosure for the 2.8" display?

Is there a dimension drawing of the Touch Screen Break Out Board (ILI9325, PID:335) somehere on your site? If not, could you put it there please or send me a PDF of it. I need the dimensions of the relarionships between the 2X10, 1X20 headers, the board mounting holles and the display. I am working on a PIC 18F board to attach to the back of the B.O. board and need to line up the connectors and the mtg holes to the PIC board and this assembly to an enclosure. I am workin with the $40 assembly 2.8", 18 Bit assembly.

[rrmcbeth]

It would be great if ADAFRUIT made a plate that you could mount the 2.8" TFT to and then remount in an other box.

Take a look at Jameco # 2138281. 5.5" X 3.5" X .98" (outside) with enclosure for (1) 9V or (2) AA batteries. They have some interesting enclosures from Hammond Mfg.

On an other topic. ILI has an AP note at: [//icbank.com/data/icbshop/board/ili9325an_v0.22.pdf]
that has the initial code sequence for various TFT/LCDs. It has 2 code versions for the 2.8" TFT.
1) for CPT and 2) for AUO. I ask ADA which is the version they supply?

Mac

[adafruit]

our TFT breakout has mounting tabs, you can simply attach it to the box with them

the library code on github has the initialization for our TFTs

[Clayton]

I need the dimensions of the relarionships between the 2X10, 1X20 headers, the board mounting holles and the display.

I did not see a reply to this question and I would really like to know this as well. I am trying to design a PCB the 2.8" TFT LCD will plug into using the mounting holes and header pins.

[adafruit]

https://github.com/adafruit/2.8-TFT-Breakout-PCB