matiasandina / oe_io_board_case Goto Github PK

This repository contains the files to cut a case for the Open Ephys Input Output board. There are two versions of files, one for the regular IO board, and another for a IO board combined with a db25 terminal block.

• Open Ephys IO Case
• Open Ephys IO + db25 Case

This is a simple project based on 2 layer acrylic that is laser cut using files. The main motivation is to go from this classical cardboard + tape approach:

To this slightly better version:

This plays nicely with the Acquisition Board

• M3 15 or 20 mm bronze standoffs.
• Laser cut case. Files found in this repository.

This project used a generic db25 terminal block and might need to be adjusted. See here for the link. We also used a male-female db25 cable (such as this one) to connect the db25 terminal into a TDT RZ10X system.

This provided 8 digital and could be expanded by wiring extra channels to another IO board if needed. An additional advantage is the use of a single cable (the db25 male-female) instead of multiple BNC cables at the input of the RZ10X, which makes things cleaner.

The pinout for the TDT can be found here and reproduced below.

• generic db25 terminal block. See here for the link. You might need to adjust the files if you use a different terminal, but the process should work because it's just wire!
• Male-female db25 cable such as this one
• M3 20 mm bronze standoffs
• 2 precision screwdrivers for the terminals
• Phoenix style 10 position terminal blocks. We bought 10 instead of 9 because it was easier to get the generic parts from here
• Soldering iron and misc
• 22 AWG wires
• Tape
• Laser cut case. Files found in this repository.

Solder the phoenix-style terminal blocks to the Open Ephys Input Output board. To make things cleaner, we soldered with the exits looking "inward". Later on, add standoffs to the acrylic base layer

Position the boards and follow the channel map according to the pinout that you want to use. You can use some tape to make things tidier.

Position the standoffs for the second layer and put the acrylic top. You might need to wiggle things if the fit is too tight.

Test the device is working by connecting to your db25 source. In our case, this was a TDT RZ10X, which has a minimal current when idle.

This is a minimal test, you should test that channels are independent by sending pulses in/out of your devices!

This is release of open hardware is 'as is'. If you improve it or build upon it, please file issues or PR to contribute to the community.