- Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:47 pm
#99161
Here's a problem I suspect many gadget makers face...we create a cool new electronic gizmo, only to be told by the other resident(s) of the household: "You are not putting that...that..thing on the nightstand / bookshelf / kitchen counter / etc."
DigiKey, Jameco, etc. are full of bland plastic enclosures, but that's not what we need. We need some stuff that's stylish and cool. Think wood trim. Think brushed aluminum. Think something from Bang & Olufsen, Apple, Porche, etc.
There might be an opportunity to tie in with the online CAM guys (Shapeways, FrontPanelExpress, etc.). Maybe do some standard parts - nice aluminum or finished wood panels you can mix 'n match with panels you get made by the CAM guys. Maybe come up with standard bezels (or at least CAD templates) for your user-facing components like buttons, knobs and displays.
If I want cheap plastic I can Dremel, I know where to go. I'm willing to pay serious money for something that really - as you say - lets your geek shine. $200+ is not unreasonable if it looks great and I don't need to acquire $5K in shop equipment.
I think there's a lot of room for innovation (and profit) here. It's the difference between making something that's handed down, and making something that's tossed on the way to the retirement home.
ps - Here's an example of hiring a cabinet maker do to do a nice custom finished enclosure. The lead time was nearly a year, but it came out great.
DigiKey, Jameco, etc. are full of bland plastic enclosures, but that's not what we need. We need some stuff that's stylish and cool. Think wood trim. Think brushed aluminum. Think something from Bang & Olufsen, Apple, Porche, etc.
There might be an opportunity to tie in with the online CAM guys (Shapeways, FrontPanelExpress, etc.). Maybe do some standard parts - nice aluminum or finished wood panels you can mix 'n match with panels you get made by the CAM guys. Maybe come up with standard bezels (or at least CAD templates) for your user-facing components like buttons, knobs and displays.
If I want cheap plastic I can Dremel, I know where to go. I'm willing to pay serious money for something that really - as you say - lets your geek shine. $200+ is not unreasonable if it looks great and I don't need to acquire $5K in shop equipment.
I think there's a lot of room for innovation (and profit) here. It's the difference between making something that's handed down, and making something that's tossed on the way to the retirement home.
ps - Here's an example of hiring a cabinet maker do to do a nice custom finished enclosure. The lead time was nearly a year, but it came out great.
