FROM THE BLOG

Mote Housing Prototyping

February 16, 2015 By Michael Vander Ploeg

Initial prototyping for remote housings has begun. Since we don’t yet have access to a 3D Scanner, the initial prototype had to be measured by hand using a digital caliper and modeled in Rhino. After a few iterations to get measurements and clearances right, we’ve got a working prototype that will fit our sensor setup.

Refining and further design still need to happen, but the economy case has been developed and will protect the electronics during the first few weeks of data output. Constraints with our design include: open air access to all sensors and board, airflow to the Arduino to keep the sensor from overheating, and limits due to 3D Printing (our available prototyping tool of choice).

Thoughts, branding ideas, form suggestions welcome!

2 comments

dan Munn
on February 24, 2015 at 2:45 pm

Michael,
love the prototype. Can the case be a plastic mesh like a fencing printed in 3-d to give the airflow needed? for cooling and for each of the sensors? will the case inhibit the readings and potentially will there need to be a custom fabrication with integrated sensors/casing that work together? How about The Building BioMeter.
- Ryan Cameron
  on February 26, 2015 at 9:20 am
  
  Yes. Anything is possible. I have a couple of nickel sized 3 CFM fans that we can add via 12v (0.08amp) outputs off the board. The question is, does it require ventilation at all? We should, but the answer is “it depends”.