Enclosure for LCD 12864 Smart Display Controller

Last crawled date: 4 years, 3 months ago

This is a snap-together enclosure for a LCD 12864 Smart Display Controller from Geeetech. (I think Sainsmart sells one that has the same button configuration.) Simply place the LCD/Controller into the top portion of the enclosure and snap-on the bottom portion. The LCD/Controller is held firmly in place without any pesky fasteners. The push-buttons for the reset and back-light are integrated into the case design. (An elongated cut-out allows a springy action that activates the PCB buttons below.)
You'll need to print three pieces for a complete enclosure:
Graphics LCD Case Top
There are two versions of this part: one with the PrintrBot logo in raised lettering and one without. (I originally designed this for a PrintrBot Simple Metal rebuild) To make the logo and button tops stand-out, pause the print after the top surface is completed (layer 145) and switch filament to an accent color. I printed white on black to match the PrintrBot color scheme.) Print with support and about 20% infill.
Graphics LCD Case Bottom
The bottom snaps onto the top via four toothed clips. These clips are part of the bottom and need to be printed with 100% infill. There are several ways to do this: 1) print the entire bottom portion with 100% infill, 2) selectively print the clip portions at 100% infill using CURA support blocker or, (my approach)... 3) use the CURA "Minimum Infill" setting of about 50 square mm. (This causes features of 50 square mm or less to be printed at 100% infill regardless of what the "Infill Density" is set to. The rest of the bottom piece can be printed with much lower infill... I'm using 20%. Print with support so that the teeth on the clips are well formed.
Graphics Case Knob
The knob can be printed at ~20% infill with several perimeters.... and no support needed. Due to the wonders of 3D printing, small variations in printer types/settings may cause the knob to fit the LCD selector shaft too loose or too tight.... so be prepared to scale it up/down slightly to fit. Alternatively, try printing it with flexible TPU material. It will fit a wider variation of shaft size... and will have a nice "grippy" feel as well.