AI Hardware & Smart Devices
Transforming M5Stack Cardputer Zero from Plastic to Precision Aluminum.
A metal enclosure could add rigidity, improve heat dissipation, and give the device a much more premium desktop-tool feel.
Challenges
Solution
For the side ports, we produced a dedicated aluminum fixture block with a precision-machined locating face. （The semi-finished enclosure was aligned against this reference surface and secured with AB epoxy, allowing all four sides to be machined without introducing distortion from excessive clamping force.）
The enclosure was produced through a carefully planned multi-stage machining process. A 6 mm end mill was used for rapid material removal, followed by smaller cutters down to 0.5 mm for detailed features such as keyboard openings, internal pockets, and interface cutouts. Final chamfering and finishing passes created the clean appearance of a precision aluminum product.
With functional features distributed across all six faces, accurate repositioning was critical. Custom fixtures and reference surfaces were designed to maintain alignment during multiple setups, allowing the complete enclosure—including I/O ports and internal structures—to be machined accurately on the Nestworks C500 desktop CNC.
Your C500 pays for itself in just a few prototyping cycles, bringing true agile development to hardware.
Stop waiting for external vendors. The C500 brings industrial-grade prototyping directly to your desktop, paying for itself in just a few prototyping cycles.
| Nestworks C500 | Outsourcing | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 5.5 Hours | 7 - 10 days |
| Cost | $ 8 | $ 250+ |
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