Projects
Water-Resistant LiDAR Camera Casing and Elevated Mount
Designed and fabricated a custom enclosure and mounting system to protect a LiDAR sensor from water exposure while improving visibility for obstacle detection, mapping, and autonomous navigation.
Overview
As part of a senior design project, our team developed an autonomous boat that would eventually navigate a predetermined course using LiDAR-based obstacle detection, mapping, and navigation. To support this capability, the LiDAR sensor required protection from water exposure while maintaining an unobstructed field of view.
The objective of this project was to design a water-resistant enclosure and elevated mounting system that would protect the sensor from water splashing while providing a higher vantage point for improved environmental awareness.
My Contributions
- Designed the enclosure and mounting system from concept to final assembly
- Created manufacturing drawings in AutoCAD
- Selected transparent acrylic as the enclosure material
- Measured and designed components for LiDAR integration and cable routing
- Prepared laser-cut profiles for fabrication
- Assembled the enclosure using J-B Weld Clear Epoxy Adhesive
- Performed water-resistance testing prior to installation
- Validated enclosure performance and mounting configuration for use on the boat
Process
The design process began by identifying the environmental and functional requirements of the LiDAR system. The enclosure needed to provide protection from water exposure while allowing the sensor to maintain visibility for obstacle detection and navigation. An elevated mounting position was selected to provide a broader field of view and improve the sensor's ability to observe its surroundings.
AutoCAD was used to create a 2D design suitable for laser cutting. Transparent acrylic was selected because it could be accurately laser cut, bonded into a sealed enclosure, and allowed visual inspection of the sensor while maintaining visibility. The design also incorporated cable routing provisions to support system integration.
Components were fabricated from acrylic sheet using a laser cutter and assembled using J-B Weld Clear Epoxy Adhesive. Particular attention was given to sealing the enclosure while maintaining a practical assembly process.
Before installation on the boat, the enclosure was tested for water resistance by placing paper inside and gradually submerging the assembly in water to identify potential leaks. Testing confirmed that the enclosure successfully protected the internal components from water intrusion while providing an elevated mounting position for improved sensor visibility.
Tools Used
AutoCAD • Laser Cutting • Acrylic Fabrication • J-B Weld Clear Epoxy Adhesive • Prototype Testing