Soundcard Isolation Project - VA3CR

5.3 Cover Plate
5.3.1 Drill Template - the drill template for the cover plate is shown in figure 5.7, Cover Drill Template,
below. An additional copy of the template is provided with the Interface Design Package supplied by
Discovery Bay Computing. It can be cut to size and taped to the blue protective plastic on the top of the
blank aluminum plate supplied with the enclosure. The four mounting holes are already drilled in the
cover plate, and the template should be aligned over these holes. Once it is aligned, secure the template in
place with clear tape. Use a sharp, pointed tool like an awl, a small center punch, or the tip of the exacto
knife blade to mark the center of each hole to be drilled. Drill a 1/16” pilot hole for all hole positions.
Once the pilot holes are drilled, remove the template and drill the actual hole size as shown below. Clean
the rims of the holes by hand, using a larger drill bit or a counter sink bit to clean the edges. Once the
holes are drilled and cleaned, remove the blue plastic from the top of the plate.
Note: Two washer tab holes are shown on the template. Normally only the top one is used, the second one
is provided in case the switch was put in the other way around on the PCB. Instead of trying to remove the
switch, just insert the washer with the tab down and use the bottom hole. The holes are covered by the
overlay, and the hole in the overlay is created when the washer is installed the first time.
Cut out template around
solid line perimeter.
4X Cover Mounting
Holes Shown for
Reference 5/32"
LED
13/64"
Potentiometer Shaft
5/16"
Switch
1/4"
2X Washer
Tab
5/64"
Potentiometer Shaft
5/16"
Figure 5.6 Cover Drill Template
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