Casting Electronics?

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DurocShark

DurocShark

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I seem to recall asking this before, but I can't find the thread. And I'm pretty sure it ended up being unanswered. So I'm trying again.

I want a cool thumb drive.

I keep looking at those WnW/PSI kits and thinking how I can't use them with my MacBook Pro. Too big around.

I have a bunch of 512's I'm thinking of trying to cast in resin and see if they still work. Then I can turn them, the file the bottom flat.

Of course, that depends on the electronics surviving the casting process. ;)

Before I start, anybody done this?
 
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I don't know, but you should make a really long thumb drive just for fun. It would generate some attention whipping out a 12" long thumb drive out of your laptop bag.
 
turbowagon said:
I don't know, but you should make a really long thumb drive just for fun. It would generate some attention whipping out a 12" long thumb drive out of your laptop bag.
Click to expand...

Actually, that might be useful. It would keep me from leaving the stupid things in servers in the data center.
 
Other then heat build up , there's no reason it wouldn't work . It's done all the time with epoxy , it's called "Potting" and is very common with electronics .
 
You could do a test spot. Cards are coated with different materials. Next time you do some casting, put a drop or two on the card and see what happens.
 
I remember seeing this on an instructables page, but can't find it right now. This showed up on a search, along with links to other ideas.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pink-Eraser-USB-Flash-Drive/#


This showed up in a google search -- might be relevant to what you want to do.
http://dmitrybrant.com/2009/08/27/make-your-usb-flash-drive-indestructible


and here's one that matches the latest craze in pen casting...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-USB-Flash-Drive/


edit: here's the one I was looking for:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Clear-USB-Drive/
 
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The circuit boards are epoxy/fiberglass and the components are made of several things , ceramics , metal and different epoxies , none of which will be harmed by the styrene . The only component you have to worry about is the plastic in the USB plug . They are made with many different materials , several different plastics or ceramics . Keep the resin off the contacts or it won't work , PR is an insulator .
 
Butch is right. I've potted electronics before for environmental concerns. I've bought it from Allied Electronics before (Part #796-9828), but there may be other vendors that carry potting epoxy. PM me if you want me to check my other resources.

You could always try potting with regular epoxy; a little at a time. Best of luck!
 
how much heat does the curing PR generate? There is a small battery inside the thumb drive. That could be affected by the heat.
 
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