Upcycle an Old Plastic Box Into a Circuit Enclosure

I am making a DIY data logger to store acceleration values using Arduino and SD card module. I have made the circuit and tested the Arduino code, it is working fine. Now it's time to pack all the circuitry of my project in a circuit enclosure. I searched the circuit box at the shop near my house. I did not find any suitable box to enclose my circuitry. Hence I decided to convert/reuse an old plastic box into the circuit enclosure. In this Instructable, I am going to share with you, how I reused an old plastic box and made an amazing circuit enclosure for my project. Let's get started!

Supplies

To make this circuit enclosure, I used the following Items:

1. Old plastic box
2. Spray Paint
3. Plastic cutter/knife
4. M3 size Bolts
5. M3 size nuts
6. 3D Printed Label Plate

Step 1: Cut the Box

We are going to make an enclosure or circuit box, hence there will need of installing various components such as a switch, cooling fan, LED indicator, power port, etc. Hence, in this step, we will cut the boxes with a cutter/knife for these components or bolts and nuts.

The following cuts have been provided in the plastic box (in the present project):

1. Switch
2. LED Indicator
3. Push button
4. On-off switch
5. Cooling fan
6. Arduino Port
7. Holes for bolts and nuts

Step 2: Painting

The plastic box is transparent, to make it look better; the box has been painted blue color using spray paint. The painting was done after cutting all the required slots and holes in the box. The pictures attached here show the painted old plastic box with holes and slots to install the electronic components.

Step 3: 3D Printing Label Plates

To look it more attractive, I have used here 3D-printed label plates to cover all the holes and ports. For this, I have designed two label plates - one for the top of the box and one for the Arduino and power port in the box.

Step 4: Installing Label Plates

The 3D-printed label plates have been tightened at their proper places using bolts and nuts. The attached photos show the painted old plastic box with label plates. I think, now it is looking more attractive and professionally designed.

Step 5: Installing Circuit Inside the Box

Install your circuit in the prepared circuit box and tightened the circuit/PCB and other components with the help of nuts and bolts.

Step 6: Final Look of the Circuit Enclosure

Now, our circuit box is ready with the circuit. The images attached here show the final look of the circuit box prepared from the old used plastic box.

In conclusion, creating a circuit enclosure box from an old plastic box is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your electronic circuits. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can repurpose an old plastic container and turn it into a functional and stylish enclosure box for your electronic components. This DIY project not only saves money but also gives you the satisfaction of creating something useful out of items that would have otherwise been discarded. Moreover, it provides a safe and organized space for your circuit boards, preventing any potential accidents from occurring. So why not give it a try and create your own circuit enclosure box from an old plastic container today?