Shape Of The Box example essay topic

430 words
The construction of the timing device was very simple The circuit was constructed, as any other circuit would be involving a lot of minuet soldering. However there was a size limit that I had to work to. The circuit itself with all the components including a nine-volt battery had to fit into the waterproof box earlier acquired. This meant that the PCB for the circuit was created in the shape of the box to give maximal room for the components. I firstly photocopied the layout of the box and then created the PCB based on this shape.

However the box only measured a height of 25 mm, length of 55 mm and width of 48 mm. This created the problem of running the tracks of the PCB very closely together resulting in the breaking of them the first time around. However a second attempt and a lot of effort later resulted in a successful circuit. The first problem I had with the box was that the mounting heads and inner walls in the box had to be removed to create as large an area inside as possible. With this done I then had to drill holes of the appropriate size and placing for the LEDs and two switches. With the circuit completed the components were all sealed in their places and the last thing to do before the box could be closed was to interface the stopwatch.

This was a very detailed job. On the opening of the stopwatch I found that there were two connectors upon where I needed to solder the wires. They were the original connectors for the activation of the stopwatch and needed bending back and exposing before they could be soldered. However this was done and so the wires were slid down the plastic tubing and into the electronic box.

The box was finally closed and screwed down tight into its waterproof seal by four extra long screws that were part of the mounting design. With th screws exposed I cut out two cross beams measuring; 52 mm by 100 mm by 1 mm. These crossbars then helped install the box to the chosen position behind the brake lever under the handlebars. It was Held in place by some wing nuts, which help in the removal and adjustment of the whole fitting.

The watch was last to find its way onto the handlebars having only to be attached like it would on that of a wrist.