Case Materials
Edit on GitHubChoosing the beacon case material: printed PLA, PETG, ABS, and off-the-shelf boxes, with the RF and cold-weather implications.
Case Materials
The case is not cosmetic: it carries the antenna, protects the electronics, and behaves differently in the cold. This page is the material comparison.
The contenders
| Material | Cost | Cold behavior | RF behavior | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA (3D print) | Low | Brittle below 0 C | Transparent (fine) | Poor drop resistance |
| PETG (3D print) | Low | Tough | Transparent | Good |
| ABS (3D print) | Low | Tough, but fumes when printing | Transparent | Good |
| Off-the-shelf box | Low | Depends | Fine | Varies |
| Metal case | Medium | Fine | Shielding and ground plane | Excellent |
The RF facts
- Plastic cases are transparent to 433 MHz: the antenna radiates through them.
- A metal case shields the internals AND acts as the antenna’s ground plane (see Quarter Wave Antenna), but the antenna must be outside the metal.
- Never put the antenna inside a metal case: the shield kills the radiation.
The cold facts
PLA gets brittle around 0 C: a printed PLA case can crack on a rock hit in winter. PETG or ABS are the winter materials. The Winter Operations page assumes a winter-suitable case.
The print considerations
| Material | Bed temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 50 - 60 C | Easiest |
| PETG | 70 - 80 C | Sticks hard, needs release |
| ABS | 100 - 110 C, enclosure | Warps without one |
The 3D Printing Guide has the full settings.
The recommendation
PETG for a winter-capable printed case, an off-the-shelf ABS/PC box for the fastest path, and a metal box only with the antenna mounted outside. The Enclosure Options page works through the trade-offs.
Related pages
- Enclosure Options for the choices
- 3D Printing Guide for printing
- Antenna Mounting for the antenna side