D
Don Y
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Hi,
We've been evaluating some sample enclosures for a handheld
device (all roughly the same size/shape just different types
of materials). The device has a decent amount of "heft" to
it -- light enough to be held comfortably in one hand (but
not featherweight like, e.g., a phone). And, there's a
significant number of dollars tied up in each one so it's
not the sort of thing you want to be dropping often! :>
We opted for a textured finish on the plastic parts as
this was "less slippery" and hid many of the superficial
scratches that the device encounters during typical use.
But, the texture makes it easy for oils from handling
to accumulate "in the cracks". So, the devices start to
look pretty shabby *really* quickly!
The texture works against us when it comes to trying to
clean up a unit that has accumulated crud -- you can't
just "wipe it clean" like you would for a "smoother"
finish. We've also learned that the temptation to use
solvents to expedite the cleaning quickly mars the
finish (depending on the plastic and choice of solvent,
this either *just* takes the "sheen" off the plastic *or*
actually can start to "dissolve" it!).
We're currently having a sample case milled from a block of
aluminum to see how that fares (weight, appearance, etc.).
But, this is probably not the way to go in the long run
(even if it was cast). Or, we'd need a different approach
to the "texture" issue (perhaps significantly modifying the
case's shape to make it easier to hold "reliably")...
Does anyone have firsthand experience with the use of texture
for these goals? And/or other materials that would be
durable, "holdable" and cleanable?
Is there a group/forum better suited to these sorts of
questions?
Thx!
We've been evaluating some sample enclosures for a handheld
device (all roughly the same size/shape just different types
of materials). The device has a decent amount of "heft" to
it -- light enough to be held comfortably in one hand (but
not featherweight like, e.g., a phone). And, there's a
significant number of dollars tied up in each one so it's
not the sort of thing you want to be dropping often! :>
We opted for a textured finish on the plastic parts as
this was "less slippery" and hid many of the superficial
scratches that the device encounters during typical use.
But, the texture makes it easy for oils from handling
to accumulate "in the cracks". So, the devices start to
look pretty shabby *really* quickly!
The texture works against us when it comes to trying to
clean up a unit that has accumulated crud -- you can't
just "wipe it clean" like you would for a "smoother"
finish. We've also learned that the temptation to use
solvents to expedite the cleaning quickly mars the
finish (depending on the plastic and choice of solvent,
this either *just* takes the "sheen" off the plastic *or*
actually can start to "dissolve" it!).
We're currently having a sample case milled from a block of
aluminum to see how that fares (weight, appearance, etc.).
But, this is probably not the way to go in the long run
(even if it was cast). Or, we'd need a different approach
to the "texture" issue (perhaps significantly modifying the
case's shape to make it easier to hold "reliably")...
Does anyone have firsthand experience with the use of texture
for these goals? And/or other materials that would be
durable, "holdable" and cleanable?
Is there a group/forum better suited to these sorts of
questions?
Thx!
