Locking the PCB inside the case?

[DeusM]

Hey guys. So. I was wondering. How do you mount the pcb inside the case so it doesn't move and also is doesn't touch the case? I was thinking about using hot glue but I don't know if it will stick to the metal case and also if there might be some complication if I wanted to remove it later. So what are your experiences. Also, mounting the pots on the pbc might be a good option. I'm thinking about trying it.

[dennism]

Double sided 3M foam tape and self adhesive velcro are two of the simpler solutions that don't require drilling, standoffs, screws etc...

[rutabaga bob]

My usual procedure is to hot-glue the pcb to a piece of thin cardboard first, like from a small USPS priority-mail box.  This gives you flat surface to work with, which you can mount to the enclosure with hot glue, good double-sided tape, or Velcro.  Using tape or Velcro directly on the pcb, there isn't a lot for it to get a grip on, as it isn't all that flexible. 
Lay down a goodly amount of glue and stick the pcb to the cardboard.  After it sets up a while, go back in and squirt some hot glue into the gaps between the pcb and cardboard.
Cheers!

[thermionix]

Hot glue sticks well enough to the enclosure provided it's relatively clean.  It's semi-permanent I guess you might say, I've been able to pull out hot glued boards to do some circuit tweaking a few times, but I haven't had one work loose unintentionally.  I guess it depends on how much you use and where.

[EBK]

The double stick foam tape is quite versatile.  In some builds, I have cut and stacked it in various configurations and shapes to make guide slots and spacers/standoffs for boards to sit in/on securely.  In other words, it can be a useful 3D medium.

[Paul Marossy]

Personally I would try to build it with board mounted pots, it solves a lot of problems.

[davent]

In boards i design i include space to use aluminum standoffs that i usually JB Weld to the enclosure. Can also get plastic standoffs with a large base that attaches it to the enclosure with double stick tape.

dave

[aion]

Personally I would try to build it with board mounted pots, it solves a lot of problems.

+1. Way easier to wire too.

It does require the PCB to be designed around it though, and isn't very vero-friendly.

[DeusM]

Personally I would try to build it with board mounted pots, it solves a lot of problems.

+1. Way easier to wire too.

It does require the PCB to be designed around it though, and isn't very vero-friendly.

Yes. My main concenr is the routing but I guess you gain space inside the box beacuse the board is under the pots

[MrStab]

hi Mat,

i prefer to use a bolt, standoff and a drill hole(s) through the face of the enclosure, but if you would prefer to drill the sides of the pedal, you can buy small brackets like these https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/534-612 . Just a different possibility to consider.

[Joncaster]

My first two attempts at epoxy and standoffs went better than expected.
I was terrified of the epoxy setting in the wrong place, cause its about as permanent as I can imagine.

Takes a bit more measuring and checking before you commit. I see that as a good exercise though.
I like the look of the layout with them (got some nice short brass ones for my next build).

[davent]

Instead of measuring and trying to line things up just right, when mounting the standoffs with epoxy i mount the standoffs to the pcb, put a dab of epoxy on the standoffs and set it into the enclosure with a small weight on top of the pcb to keep things in place. After the epoxy has a chance to set up a bit i'll remove the pcb and 'volcano' epoxy around the standoff to firmly fix them in place. Only a dab of epoxy at first and i use short nylon screws to hold things during the initial gluing.

dave

[Joncaster]

Instead of measuring and trying to line things up just right, when mounting the standoffs with epoxy i mount the standoffs to the pcb, put a dab of epoxy on the standoffs and set it into the enclosure with a small weight on top of the pcb to keep things in place. After the epoxy has a chance to set up a bit i'll remove the pcb and 'volcano' epoxy around the standoff to firmly fix them in place. Only a dab of epoxy at first and i use short nylon screws to hold things during the initial gluing.

dave

Sorry yeah I mean I did it that way (plonk the pcb into the box with the standoffs and put weight on). I was just expecting something to have moved in the night or something.
But it takes me a while to think through the layout and then commit. Learning slowly...

[amptramp]

I used flying leads from the controls and jacks so I did what made sense to me: made the leads a little longer and attached the board on standoffs to the bottom plate of the enclosure.  Just be aware that countersunk screws have very little tolerance for inaccurate drilling or drill for the screws first and put the holes in the board in matching places.  Mount everything from the inside so you can get the top of the enclosure off without having to unsolder anything.

[blackieNYC]

I lovingly cradle the board in a cozy nest of off-board wiring, and consider it shock mounting.

But sometimes I run a tie-wrap or a twist-tie around the pot shaft and tie down the board. I use pot covers. That one I like. 

[karbomusic]

I often use metal standoffs with JB Weld but a couple of years ago I got a 3D printer and for a couple of designs I use this:



Installed:



What's nice about it is that the PCB slides into it and it's made so that the bottom plate locks it into place so any force is on the bracket not the board. That way if I ever need to remove the board and service the pedal, it's easy, less expense, no drilling the pcb for mounts and less worry about standoffs/glue etc.

[DeusM]

Wow! I didn't know how many ways there was for placing the pcb. My guess is that mounting the pots on the board is one of the simplest ways but do you think there are any disadvantages? Like soldering the pots or the movement could brake the connection, etc.?

[davent]

Wow! I didn't know how many ways there was for placing the pcb. My guess is that mounting the pots on the board is one of the simplest ways but do you think there are any disadvantages? Like soldering the pots or the movement could brake the connection, etc.?

I usually see it with commercially produced pcb's and as such it dictates where the pots are located in the enclosure which usually, to my eye aesthetically sucks for what i want to do as far as enclosure design goes. So the very few commercial pcb i've used i don't board mount the pots but run leads between things anyways.

dave