Sheet metal sensor holders?

[Xyver]

Can you use sheet metal (steel) to make sensor stands? Or will the metal short circut it, or would plastic be easier.  Im using IR rangefinders (Im sure those will be fine)  and this: http://www.robotshop.ca/devantech-ultrasonic-range-finder-srf05-1.html .  The exposed back it what worries me.  What could I use to cover it?

[waltr]

The answer to your question is on the page you linked to:
http://www.robotshop.ca/lynxmotion-multi-purpose-sensor-housing.html

For the ultra sonic sensor stand-offs are required to space the PCB away from the bracket. The Sharp IR distence sensors can be mounted directly onto the metal. Look at the pictures in the above link.

[Xyver]

I dont want to buy them, I want to make them.  Does that mean metal is feasable as long as its seperated?

[waltr]

Yes, as I stated above.
The link was for you to see how the sensors are attached to the metal brackets not for you to buy them. A lot can be learned by looking at and noting the details of how some one else built something.

[Joker94]

I have previously used some heat shrink(16mm) around my bracket to insulate the surface. Another option is a few layers of electrical tape covering the bracket.
 
The best option is to use some standoffs or something along those lines but if you don't have them or need a temporary way the above ones are cheap and a lot of people have that stuff already.

[Soeren]

Hi,

What could I use to cover it?

For the IR, you can just cut out the metal so that the connector is accessible from the back of the bracket.
For the US, you really need stand offs, as a direct mounting, whether isolated or not, will bend the PCB and probably break off some of the SMD components over time.