SendCutSend Education

Lesson 2.6

How to Design a CAD Lid with Joints, Ventilation & Access Features

This series was filmed and edited by Keaton Bowlby

In chapter 2 lesson 6, you’ll take your Arduino enclosure one step further by creating a referenced lid component directly from the bottom box. You’ll learn how to properly join components so the lid doesn’t float in space, while also adding design features for real-world functionality like ventilation, a reset button hole, and wire access. This lesson highlights the importance of referencing existing parts when building new ones, ensuring your design stays aligned and functional.

What you’ll learn:

  • Create a new component (the lid) based on an existing part in your assembly.
  • Use joints to connect components and lock them in space.
  • Add locating features (like slip-fit extrusions) for proper alignment.
  • Design ventilation slots to handle heat buildup.
  • Project references for functional details like a reset button hole.
  • Cut wire access slots and manage which components are affected.
  • Apply design-for-manufacturing (DFM) thinking when adding features for 3D printing.

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