My Design - Opinions?

[sharpapotheosis]

What do people think of a fairly simple case like this one? Your comments, suggestions and constructive criticism is more than welcome, and if people think they would like one, they should be able to sell for under a fiver. I'm hoping also that I will be able to create custom patterns etched with a laser cutter on the lid of the case should people want it.

These renders (done in blender) have a couple of omissions. Firstly there will be a bar of acrylic on the bottom of the case at the USB port side to support the Pi and hold it in place. Also, I am hoping that there will be a magnet that holds the two hinged pieces closed. Does anybody know whether magnets will affect the RasPi?

[Steep]

Looks good, nice idea to solve the fitting into a tight space with connectors all round problem too.

[sharpapotheosis]

Thanks

[Charax]

I'd buy one. I cant imagine a low-strength magnetic strip will cause many issues

[rurwin]

A magnet wont cause a problem. Unless it was impossibly big and saturated the ferrites in the Ethernet port. But it wont be -- by several orders of magnitude.

[sharpapotheosis]

Ok, that's great to know, thank you very much I wouldn't have liked to test it on my Pi

[E]

I like the corner opening design. A very clever solution!

[chrisw2]

Very neat design. If you can sell this for around £5 I would buy one.

[davez]

Very nice design. Do you have any blueprints or something that you can/want to share?

[sharpapotheosis]

I'm hoping (as a poor student desperate for any coins I can find on the street ) to sell either the case and/or the pre-cut parts as a kit to make the case. I'm just eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Pi to ensure my measurements are correct and ports can be reached.

I was also hoping to offer the ability to raster a customised design on the lid for people. What do people think of this?

Chrisw2, I wouldn't expect people to pay more than a fiver for a case for something that only cost about £25 unless it was personalised or very special, so unless I do go down the personalisation route they won't be over £5, hopefully under.

[sharpapotheosis]

Update: I thought I would share with you guys the current prototype:

There are a couple of design features that will be changing. The real thing will be made out of clear acrylic, and will have a raspberry pi logo (pending Liz's approval) on the top corner where the hinged pieces meet, This will be engraved using the laser cutter, so it will have a frosted look. The top and bottom will have slightly rounded corners, and the RCA hole is not dead central to the connector at the minute.

Other than that, a finished version in acrylic is very close. Have some photos:

Edit: My images failed, so have an Imgur album. http://imgur.com/a/yfQZI

[HansH]

nice those hinged pieces, although I thick you will get a problem with the holes in it.

[LiamHarvison]

If you did decide to sell this design, tell me! Looks very good and would be interested buying one at that price!

[davez]

Looks very nice indeed! Do you plan to relase any models? Have some idea for some customizing with a similar design for my own use .

Watching thread with interest!

[sharpapotheosis]

@HansH, I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you are saying will be a problem.

@LiamHarvison, I am hoping that by the end of Thursday these will be on sale. In fact this goes for anyone, if you want to register your interest/pre-order one you can either send me a private message or post on here and I'll be sure to follow it up (hey, I get business )

@Davez, I know you've PMd me and I replied in there but I shall reply here for everyone's sakes. I'm not intending on releasing the designs any time soon since I will be selling the case, but there's nothing stopping you copying the principle to build one for yourself (in fact I would encourage it if you aren't going to buy it ).

[sharpapotheosis]

Another update:

I've made an acrylic model which fits the Pi perfectly now (though my friend who owns the Pi I have been using as a test has taken his home...). This is very nearly the final product. However, the magnets used to hold the hinges together are pathetic, so another clasping mechanism will have to be designed.

However, the product id very nearly complete. I know the aforementioned friend's Pi is currently very happily housed in the MDF prototype I demonstrated earlier, and he's been chucking it about a bit so it seems to be as durable and rugged as we were expecting.

Here's the photo album: http://imgur.com/a/Zv7Ng and more will be on their way tomorrow when it's housing the Pi itself.

[LiamHarvison]

Cool, please put me down for a 'preorder' Thanks!

[sharpapotheosis]

Sure thing Liam, you're on the list

[chrisw2]

... However, the magnets used to hold the hinges together are pathetic, so another clasping mechanism will have to be designed. ...

Would it be possible to use a removable pin? A bit like at the hinged ends but with the pin removable and somehow secured (screw thread & nut?)

Anyway I like your design and the proposed price, so please put me down as a pre-order.

[mkeeley]

To be honest all these acrylic ones are much of a muchness, they're all just OK but that's all.

[Montala]

I have just had a look at the latest photo album, and I have to say it looks a bit 'heavy' to me.
Not particularly attractive either, I didn't think, although they do say that looks aren't everything!

[sharpapotheosis]

It weighs in at about 90g, so it's not too heavy. It is sturdy though, I did some drop tests with a prototype from various heights and the Pi shouldn't get damaged. As for the looks, well each to their own but i think it looks pretty good, though having the Pi inside it improves it immensely. Photos of that will be arriving tomorrow.

[Steep]

Being as small as it is the RPi is likely to take more knocks so a strong case is a good thing.

[benedict3578]

Looks great. Will do a similar thing, but will offer single use blueprints for £7 and unlimited ones for £10 so people can make and sell them. Will be £5 per case approx when I make mine. Love the hinge idea.

[Reider]

I`m very interested in one of these. I had intended housing my Raspi in a tobacco tin and purchased one. But this is much better as its viewable from all sides so making it easy to display and explain to people. As a semi invalid the pricing point is spot on too.

Steve