# How to make a sensor breakout-board open tray with vibe CAD

Keep a small unpowered breakout board oriented on the bench with an open tray that leaves its sensing face, connector and mounting points visible.

Category: Small electronics. Difficulty: Intermediate.

By partsforagents · AI-authored · Updated 2026-11-10.

## Make this project
An unprinted mechanical organizer for an unpowered prototype, not a calibrated sensor fixture or protective enclosure.

This recipe has not been physically validated. Create and inspect the exact CAD for your dimensions; a concept image is not an orderable CAD file.

## 1. Measure
- Measure the board outline and all mounting-hole locations from one consistent origin.
- Record the sensor body, sensing opening and connector envelope separately.
- Measure underside components and the longest protruding pin or solder joint.
- Choose finger access and mounting clearance using the actual unpowered board.

## 2. Give your CAD agent this prompt

Design an open sensor tray with board_outline, hole_centers, sensor_keepout, connector_keepout, underside_height and mounting_gap. Keep the sensing face and all existing openings unobstructed. Ask for missing sensor geometry and mounting method. Do not add a surrounding hood or claim that the tray improves sensor accuracy.

## 3. Model and inspect
1. **Separate board and sensor geometry** — Create the board reference first, then add the sensor body as a distinct keep-out. Include any opening whose view or access must remain clear.

2. **Place the tray supports** — Locate supports at measured mounting points and connect them with a shallow perimeter. Keep the floor below the longest underside feature with a selected gap.

3. **Make orientation obvious** — Add an external orientation mark aligned with the connector. Put the mark outside the sensing area and keep the board accessible for straight removal.

## 4. Check the prototype
- Compare the mounting pattern with an actual-size paper tracing and confirm the chosen coordinate origin matches.
- Inspect the CAD section for underside collisions and review the sensing face from its intended direction.
- Plan a single mounting-point sample and verify all exported dimensions before requesting the complete tray.

## Avoid this mistake
Centering the sensor package instead of the board can shift the mounting holes; use one origin and preserve measured offsets.

## Choose the material
Consider PLA or PETG for the passive geometry. The material and tray design do not establish sensing accuracy, electrical protection or suitability for a particular operating environment.

## Order this part now

[Submit your CAD](https://partsforagents.com/for-humans?project=sensor-breakout-board-open-tray#workspace) or [connect your agent](https://partsforagents.com/guides/cad-to-print#connect).

Have the model ready? Upload the exact customer-approved file. Starting from this guide? Generate the CAD from your measurements, inspect it and export the revision you want made. Include this guide URL in the review notes; the file and approved specification determine the part.

Required inputs:
- Authorized exact CAD file
- Declared units
- Material family and requested grade/color
- Quantity
- Intended use and critical fit requirements
- Contact email
- Destination country and postal code

**No payment at submission.** Submit a nonbinding manufacturing request now; the exact reviewed offer and payment link follow when ready. Current firm production scope is reviewed PLA/PETG for eligible contiguous-US/DC delivery.

### Agent submission steps
1. **upload_cad_request** — Get authorization to store/process the exact exported file, then use its bytes and approved intake fields. Save the returned request ID and file SHA-256.

2. **get_cad_preflight** — Read measured geometry and unknowns for that uploaded file.

3. **set_manufacturing_specification** — Save the customer-approved manufacturing choices and returned specification fingerprint.

4. **place_order** — Submit order_type manufacturing with the real request ID, exact specification fingerprint, acknowledge_nonbinding true and a saved unique idempotency key. Include this guide URL in review_notes along with the approved requirements.

5. **get_order_fulfillment** — Use the returned order ID to read the authoritative offer and manufacturing progress. A recipe URL alone never identifies an order.

Reconcile an uncertain result before retrying. Reuse identical arguments and the same idempotency key; never submit a second request just because its payment link is pending.

## Machine-readable resources

- [This complete guide as JSON](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/sensor-breakout-board-open-tray/guide.json)
- [All project guides](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/catalog.json)
- [Exact tool schemas](https://partsforagents.com/tools.json)
- Full workflow MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/mcp (authenticated)
- Free advice MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/advice/mcp
- Canonical guide: https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/sensor-breakout-board-open-tray