Cases for the Raspberry Pi

[nichobb]

@Mushroom_Lord

I was thinking that just having it bobbing around in a fish tank would be pretty cool, hopefully it will sort of half float half sink (the usb/power etc) cables could help control this floatationness.

I"d just have to find a non-conductive transparent liquid that"s the right density

mineral oil. Balloon to float
http://www.pugetsystems.com/su.....merged.php

[Pyropetepete]

Not sure if this has been said so sorry for it but when i took my GCSE some manny m,anny years ago i encased my kit in resin. I think if it could be cast into a soild block or lexan, pollcarb, the super tough stuff like bullet proof would be amazing!

[jakjack1]

Am I the only person who has thought of a Meccano Case? Going to stick a 4.3 LCD in from a car rear view screen thing, Build a frame and case around it, Mount the Pi in it somehow and possibly stick some kind of mobile power in, Hopefully should get it to be around the size of the Pi, and probably 1in thick.

And the cables would look damn cool going in the holes, also wanna stick some LED's in the holes  Should be damn cool, Going to have Wifi, Mini Wireless keyboard, thats about it really, should be damn cool.

Got everything ready, just need the Pi.

[Blue]

Abishur said:


Every so often on this thread I ask the following question (in the hopes that some of the new forum members might have new knowledge but don't read all 20+ pages of this thread) so here we go again.

With the pi about to be (hopefully) released, there have been a LOT of great and fun suggestions on reusing existing objects to make a case, but does anyone have a good place they've used that will make a custom case in very low quantities (2-3) for under $20 a case?

I've also considered 3D printing, but haven't been able to find a place that actually does it (or advertises how much they'd charge you for doing it)

Any ideas?


I just ordered a 3D printer and it will hopefully be here within 2 weeks. If someone can provide me with a 3D template to print for the case, then I can print you guys some and will only charge you for the postage and packaging (UK only) and the amount of plastic it costs. I think that will be only a few pounds?

[Borg 1.0]

I'd like to add a couple of thoughts, based on the amazing suggestions and ideas generated here. Apologies if these have already been suggested and I've just missed 'em...

I was originally thinking of finding a single case design, but with the flexibility of the RPi, it might make sense to offer a couple of different designs.

For example, as a standalone device, a solid perspex/acrylic case would seem to offer good protection, while letting you look lovingly at all the electrons whizzing around on your board. It's also relatively cheap to get made, pretty scratch-resistant, and still offers the ability to "pimp" the case with engraving/stickers/whatever.

Then there's the case (pun intended) for mobile use, in a car, etc. I guess there are a couple of alternatives here - one where the RPi is used with an IO board for engine management, sensor logging, or whatever; and one where it's used as an entertainment/GPS console, where a good-sized LCD display would be a must.

Actually, I'm leaning strongly towards a 7-10" LCD touchscreen-type of display, this could be used just about everywhere the RPi can. But that needs to be somehow integrated with the RPi. That begs the question, would it be better to (re)use a DVD player as some folks have suggested, giving a very nice professional look for the mobile user; or integrate the RPi into an in-dash player type of arrangement, for a fixed use.

Most of the ABS type of hobbyist cases look like crap, unfortunately, unless you're lucky enough to find a reseller of specialist cases. But these aren't always available for everyone, everywhere. Speaking as a country geek, I prefer Jaycar and Altronics (in Australia), as they do have some interesting cases, I'm happy to post a couple of images if anyone's interested.

Don't forget, there's an awful lot of cool expansion ideas around the corner, so any case will probably have to be able to accept a Gertboard or other addition, at the least.

So, what about having a case competition? This could generate some interest for mobile, pocketable, in-car, and/or standalone Pie Plates

For something as sensational as the RPi, there's gotta be some breathtakingly good designs out there just waiting to amaze and enthuse.

Just my $0.02...

[DrHackable]

I think we should have it like an Amiga, built into the keyboard.

[spamel]

That is exactly what I plan to do, hopefully making the keyboard like one of the steampunk keyboards that you can google image to see. Lots of wood and brass, and I will look into a keyboard that already has a USB hub built in.

[njd]

I would dearly love to see a case that looked a little like the old SPARC pizza boxes (scaled down, obviously):



or like the smaller lunch-box cases:



With a RasPi badge where the old SUN logo went, it'd look great.

[ElectronPusher]

How about building it into one of the USB hard-drive docks that look like a vertical toaster?   Rework the USB connection to route internally to the RP, take power from the available line, and have an easy way to attach storage (dremel out ports for any connectors of interest).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817153066

Something like this would be great for stand-alone NAS projects (the toasters come in dual-slot versions), or even self-contained media server…

[jkcpalmer]

My first two R-pi case projects will be

Inside an old 3.5" Hard drive

i haven't taken measurements yet, but i think with a little cutting it should be possible

my idea was to retain the 5v rail and a Sata type power connector in its original location

so you could stick it on a vertical dock for power.

Second, is a sturdy case that would fit a standard monitors versa mount, but still give
you the versa mount holes on the back of the case. (Raises eyebrow)
i've seen some other itx cases that use a versa mount, but not any that retain the versa mount on the back side of the PC

Any thoughts...

Jordan

[cpcnw]

2nd'ed: Vesa mount needed

[arm2]

jkcpalmer said:


My first two R-pi case projects will be

Inside an old 3.5" Hard drive

i haven't taken measurements yet, but i think with a little cutting it should be possible

my idea was to retain the 5v rail and a Sata type power connector in its original location

so you could stick it on a vertical dock for power.

Second, is a sturdy case that would fit a standard monitors versa mount, but still give
you the versa mount holes on the back of the case. (Raises eyebrow)
i've seen some other itx cases that use a versa mount, but not any that retain the versa mount on the back side of the PC


I'm planning a commercial metal VESA mounted RPi case and have been trying to work out how to retain the VESA mount. The problem as I see it is that a solution that is suitable for one Monitor/Mount will not be suitable for another Monitor/Mount

[waveform]

Last night I pulled out an external Sound Card which I thought may be suitable to hold the Rpi:



When I put a credit card upto it I was amazed that it was a perfect fit:



The board inside lacks mounting holes just like the RPi, and is held in place by "shelves" on the sides:





But here's the sad part, the height of the board is too small to fit the Pi:



Even if it was high enough, you would still need to desolder the connectors which overlap the board at the sides, i.e the USB ports, ethernet and USB Card holder.

So the search continues.....

I think a USB hub or Floppy Drive/Bay sized enclosure might be the way to go.

But of course there is already both in one:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/h.....ull%20view



Now if there was a cheaper USB 2.0 Version it would be great.

[waveform]

Also, there's an alternative site to shapeways that might be worth checking out to see if there's a price difference:

http://www.ponoko.com/make-and.....ow-it-work

I found about it through the MIDIbox community

as ponoko was used for the MIDIbox Sammich SID case:



The RPi has caught the eye of the MIDIbox community, and may be a migration step in the future, but only after the current microcontrollers are used to their full potential.

[mightygoose]

i aspire to make something small in this vein…

[linkie]

His work is superb…..



And I have always wanted to make more stuff with my hands!

[Dziaddu]

My R-Pi will have cardboard case. I prepared prototype made of paper showing my conception for this eco case:

http://zapodaj.net/8bf70166debb.png.html

http://zapodaj.net/12820f1fbd62.png.html





Projecting parts (card reader, USB, RCA, etc.) will fix the board, so it should not move in the case without any screw.

[waveform]

mightygoose said:

i aspire to make something small in this vein…

[linkie]

That is quite some beautiful architecture!

————————————————————————————-

Is 10 USB ports enough for the RPI?

I

I"ve been thinking about the Card Reader + USB Bays also:

I wonder could you solder the Pins of the SD Card reader on these bays, to the pins on the RPI board?

If there was a more DIY version of the RPI, which allowed us to solder the connectors ourselves, and allow us to use non-pcb mount connectors, and Panel Mount connectors instead, it would be cool.

[OregonJim]

My plan for my first RPi is to use it with Amateur Radio software (TWPSK) and interface it to an Icom 746-Pro with a Rigblaster NOMIC. I will most likely mount the RPi on a piece of Golden or Red Oak (lacquered of course) and cover it with a copper or brass mesh to provide RF shielding. May use HDMI to connect to a 32" 720p TV, and a small powere USB hub to provide keyboard/mouse/external drive support.

The second one I get will go to Grandson Nikolas so he can learn about programming.

Wishing all a productive, happy and prosperous 2012.

Jim in Oregon, U.S.A.

Amateur Call KI7AY

[l3bowsk1]

Will there be a cutout template available to help those of us who want to make our own case?  Something like a PDF that when printed at 100% could provide a reliable cutting guide would be appreciated.

[derSuhler]

@Dziaddu I had the same idea last night of a 'pizza box'

a PDF template would be very nice indeed!

i think it's a easy, cheap and environmentally friendly option for a raspberry pi case

maybe as a part of the packaging

... with a large raspberry pi logo on the top of the box!

[deniz185]

Hi all together.

First of all. I find this device ist the best !!! Its Awesome.

I have designed a case for the Raspberry because this great device must have a also Case.

http://imgmi.net/a/a744307a.jpg

greetz

[mobeyduck]

The power connector is on the other side of the hdmi were you have your power there should be lan & usb

[deniz185]

Ok Thank you.

This is only a Preview.

I think i must look twice if i build the final

Minimalistic design for a minimalistic device.

[zag]

Just took 30mins looking through this thead, some amazing ideas already.

I love the way this project captures peoples imaginations.

I would love to see a brushed red aluminium case like this



I"ve also collated all the custom designs into one thread here

http://www.raspberrypiforums.c.....7&t=9

[guyh]

already bought mine. even has space for a usb hub