Assemble frame structure

Parts and tools

Complete reference in module BOM.

item_id

category

description

quantity

TOL-HEXKEY-4MM

tool

4 mm hex key

1

CMP-ENC-FOOT

purchased component

adhesive rubber/polyurethane feet

8

CMP-ENC-BIN

purchased component

removable plastic enclosure bin

1

PRT-ENC-001

laser-cut part

enclosure base plate

1

PRT-ENC-002

3D-printed part

enclosure support pillar

4

PRT-ENC-003

laser-cut part

feeder wall panel, first layer

1

PRT-ENC-004

laser-cut part

feeder wall panel, second layer

1

PRT-ENC-005

laser-cut part

screen wall panel, first layer

1

PRT-ENC-006

laser-cut part

screen wall panel, second layer

1

PRT-ENC-007

laser-cut part

master-module wall panel, first layer

1

PRT-ENC-008

laser-cut part

master-module wall panel, second layer

1

PRT-ENC-009

laser-cut part

door wall panel, first layer

1

PRT-ENC-010

laser-cut part

door wall panel, second layer

1

PRT-ENC-011

laser-cut part

enclosure door panel

1

PRT-ENC-012

laser-cut part

door locking element

1

PRT-ENC-013

3D-printed part

enclosure door button

1

PRT-ENC-014

laser-cut part

clear enclosure top panel

1

FST-INS-M3-BRASS

fastening hardware

M3 brass threaded insert for plastics

1

FST-NUT-M5-HEX

fastening hardware

M5 hex nut

8

FST-M5X50

fastening hardware

M5 × 50 mm socket-head cap screw

12

FST-M3X8

fastening hardware

M3 × 8 mm hex-socket button screw

16

FST-M3X10

fastening hardware

M3 × 10 mm fastener

2

FST-NUT-M3-HEX

fastening hardware

M3 hex nut

12

FST-HIN

fastening hardware

door hinge

2

Enclosure Assembly Instructions

1. Base and pillar assembly

1.1 Prepare the base plate and pillars

  1. Place the enclosure base plate PRT-ENC-001 flat on a clean, level work surface.

  2. Verify that all internal cutouts in PRT-ENC-001 have dropped clear of the plate.

  3. Verify that the internal holes of all four PRT-ENC-002 support pillars are fully clear. If blocked, use a flathead screwdriver to remove the remaining material.

  4. If required, attach the optional CMP-ENC-FOOT feet to the underside of the base plate.

  5. Identify the top and bottom of each PRT-ENC-002 pillar.

  6. Insert the FST-NUT-M5-HEX nuts into the lower nut seats. Place each pillar on a flat, solid surface and press the nuts fully into place.

Caution: Never brace the pillar against your hand or body while pressing the nuts into place.

1.2 Attach the pillars to the base

  1. Position one PRT-ENC-002 pillar at each corner of PRT-ENC-001.

  2. Orient the pillar grooves toward the corresponding wall positions.

  3. Align the pillar mounting holes with the holes in the base plate.

  4. Insert the FST-M5X50 screws through the base and into the captive FST-NUT-M5-HEX nuts.

  5. Start every screw by hand before using TOL-HEXKEY-4MM.

  6. Tighten gradually until each pillar is firmly seated against the base.

Caution: Do not force a screw that does not engage freely. Remove it and correct the alignment to avoid cross-threading.

Caution: Do not overtighten against the PMMA base plate.

2. Wall installation

The enclosure walls are formed by sliding acrylic panels vertically into the grooves of the support pillars. Together, the four walls define the behavioral enclosure and provide mounting interfaces for the submodules.

In the configuration shown here:

  • PRT-ENC-003 and PRT-ENC-004 form the wall supporting the feeder module;

  • PRT-ENC-005 and PRT-ENC-006 form the opposite wall supporting the two screen modules;

  • PRT-ENC-007 and PRT-ENC-008 form the lateral wall supporting the master module;

  • PRT-ENC-009 and PRT-ENC-010 form the lateral wall containing the access door;

  • PRT-ENC-011 is the door panel.

Each wall is made from two matching acrylic panels installed together in the pillar grooves and secured with M3 fasteners.

2.1 Prepare the wall panels

  1. Inspect all wall panels for cracks, scratches, or other visible damage.

  2. Check that all holes, slots, and panel edges are free of debris.

  3. Identify the inward-facing surface of each panel.

  4. Pair the two matching panels that form each wall.

  5. Identify the intended position and orientation of each wall.

  6. Confirm that all module openings and mounting features face the correct direction.

Note: Acrylic panels typically have one glossy surface and one matte, non-reflective surface. Install the panels with the matte surface facing the inside of the behavioral enclosure. This reduces internal reflections that could disturb the animal or interfere with video-based tracking and identification.

Checkpoint: All panels are clean and undamaged, each wall pair is identified, and the matte surfaces face inward.

2.2 Install the wall panels

  1. Begin with the feeder wall pair PRT-ENC-003 and PRT-ENC-004.

  2. Align the vertical edges of the first panel with the grooves in the two adjacent PRT-ENC-002 pillars.

  3. Slide the panel downward until fully seated.

  4. Slide the matching second panel into the same wall position.

  5. Confirm that both panels are fully seated and their fastening holes are aligned.

  6. Repeat for the screen wall pair PRT-ENC-005 / PRT-ENC-006 and the master-module wall pair PRT-ENC-007 / PRT-ENC-008.

  7. Leave the door wall pair PRT-ENC-009 / PRT-ENC-010 and the door PRT-ENC-011 for Section 3.

Caution: Do not force a panel into the pillar grooves. If it does not slide freely, remove it and check the alignment and groove clearance before trying again.

Checkpoint: The feeder, screen, and master-module wall assemblies are fully seated, correctly oriented, and captured in the pillar grooves.

2.3 Secure the wall panels

  1. Confirm that both panels forming each wall are fully seated.

  2. Align the fastening holes through the two panels.

  3. Insert the FST-M3X8 screws through the specified fastening positions.

  4. Install one FST-NUT-M3-HEX on each screw.

  5. Start all fasteners by hand before tightening.

  6. Tighten evenly until the panels are held firmly together.

  7. Check that the panels remain seated in the pillar grooves.

Caution: Do not overtighten fasteners against PMMA. Excessive clamping force can crack the acrylic around the mounting holes.

Checkpoint: The three fixed wall assemblies are secure, with no visible cracking, deformation, or looseness.

3. Door assembly

3.1 Install the door wall

  1. Pair PRT-ENC-009 and PRT-ENC-010 with the matte surfaces facing inward.

  2. Orient the light-blocking overlap correctly.

  3. Slide both panels into the corresponding pillar grooves until fully seated.

  4. Align and secure the panels using the specified FST-M3X8 screws and FST-NUT-M3-HEX nuts.

Checkpoint: The door wall is fully seated, aligned, and secure.

3.2 Install the door and hinges

  1. Position the PRT-ENC-011 door panel in the door opening.

  2. Position the two FST-HIN hinges and align the mounting holes.

  3. Use FST-M3X8 fasteners on the thinner stack and FST-M3X10 fasteners on the thicker stack.

  4. Install the corresponding FST-NUT-M3-HEX nuts.

  5. Tighten until secure without stressing the acrylic.

  6. Check that the door moves freely.

Checkpoint: The door is aligned and opens and closes without binding.

3.3 Install the door button and locking element

  1. Insert one FST-INS-M3-BRASS threaded insert into the PRT-ENC-013 door button.

  2. Install PRT-ENC-013 using the specified FST-M3X8 hardware.

  3. Install and align the PRT-ENC-012 door locking element.

  4. Close the door and verify that the locking element engages correctly.

Checkpoint: The door button is secure and the locking element holds the door closed reliably.

4. Validate the door

  1. Confirm that the PRT-ENC-009 and PRT-ENC-010 door-wall panels are fully seated in the pillar grooves.

  2. Confirm that their fastening holes remain aligned and secure.

  3. Open and close the PRT-ENC-011 door several times.

  4. Check that the door moves freely without rubbing, binding, or shifting.

  5. Confirm that the PRT-ENC-012 locking element engages and releases smoothly.

  6. Check that hinges, screw heads, nuts, and other hardware do not create sharp or accessible protrusions inside the enclosure.

Checkpoint: The door is aligned, opens and closes smoothly, and locks securely.

5. Install the additional modules

  1. Mount the completed submodules, such as the feeder, screens, and water bottle mount, onto their corresponding wall panels.

  2. For each module, confirm that its FST-INS-M3-BRASS mounting inserts are installed and aligned with the wall mounting holes.

  3. Secure the modules to the enclosure using FST-M3X8 M3 × 8 mm screws.

  4. Attach the light module to the PRT-ENC-014 clear top panel using its designated mounting holes.

  5. Place the CMP-ENC-BIN plastic bin inside the enclosure and slide it fully into position. Confirm that it lies flat.

  6. Position the photobeam gate inside the enclosure, resting it on top of the plastic bin.

  7. Place the PRT-ENC-014 clear top panel on top of the enclosure. The panel should hold the photobeam gate in its final position.

  8. Confirm that the FST-NUT-M5-HEX nuts are correctly seated in the upper nut pockets of the PRT-ENC-002 support pillars.

  9. Align the top panel with the pillar mounting holes and secure it using four FST-M5X5 fasteners.

Caution: Before securing the top panel, check that the photobeam gate, cables, and other modules are correctly positioned and are not trapped or compressed.

Checkpoint: All submodules are securely mounted, the bin and photobeam gate are correctly positioned, and the top panel is fully seated and secured.

Assembly video

Use this short visual walkthrough alongside the written instructions. The parts list, cautions, and checkpoints in this page remain essential.

Player unavailable? Open the temporary video in Google Drive.

Note

Temporary hosting: this Drive player will be replaced by the project's YouTube stream after publication; the released original will be archived on Zenodo. Google may request sign-in until public sharing is confirmed.