Plea for a transparent case

[Wage_Slave]

I know that there is a proposal to produce some form of case for the educational release, but it would be a great shame if the Pi became just another black/grey/raspberry box with untold contents (my car for example has lots!). A transparent case screen printed with the names of the principle components will certainly spark interest. Particularly when there are unexplored connections (e.g. GPIO) which are not just the usual 'plug in your device here'.

[abishur]

I'm guessing you mean a case available from the r-pi store itself, but there have been several suggestions on how to make a clear case to do just that.  Now that I'm thinking about it off the top of my head, you could always use one of those clear food storage containers and write on top of the lid

[grumpyoldgit]

It's called a Ferrero Rocher box.

[TheEponymousBob]

Grumpoldgit said:

It"s called a Ferrero Rocher box.




You spoil us!

[Wage_Slave]

True that would be a simple option, I would rather a formal version so the teaching staff have to know all of the components rather than just write on the easy ones!

Sorry if it has been discussed before, but these forums are now so vast it is becoming difficult to find anthing easily.

[oninoshiko]

I dont think I've seen a post suggesting haveing all the components etched onto a transperent case. It's not a bad suggestion either!

[abishur]

Wage_Slave said:


True that would be a simple option, I would rather a formal version so the teaching staff have to know all of the components rather than just write on the easy ones!

Sorry if it has been discussed before, but these forums are now so vast it is becoming difficult to find anthing easily.



Well, this is *technically* unique in that it's a request for an official case that's clear

I've found that the best way to find anything in the forum is to use the site search on the front page.  It usually finds the thread I want in the top couple results!

[oninoshiko]

The unique element isn't so much the clearness, as IDing the compenants of the board.

I, for one, think it's a massively cool idea.

[jamesh]

Fortunately there are only two major components, so an easy etch job!

[bredman]

A great idea, but it could fall down in practice.

There are two large components, the CPU and GPU. All other components (fuse, voltage regulator, etc) are absolutely tiny. It would be impossible to make labels small enough for the small components.

However, it would be a good idea to produce an image blown up to A4 (or US letter) size which describes the hardware in detail. This image could be part of every basic SD card, just like an easter egg for curious students to find.

[jojopi]

bredman said:

There are two large components, the CPU and GPU.
The CPU and GPU are in the same package.  And you can not see it because there is RAM on top.

The other large component is the USB hub and ethernet controller (Model B only).

[bredman]

Looks like I need a graphic of the board layout.

[abishur]

bredman said:


Looks like I need a graphic of the board layout.



Check the FAQ It's the first thing on the page

[grumpyoldgit]

Does this help?

[crundy]

There is a thread discussing using printable OHP film as a foldable case:

http://www.raspberrypi.org/for.....-ohp-film/

[Nick Varney]

oninoshiko said:


The unique element isn't so much the clearness, as IDing the compenants of the board.

I, for one, think it's a massively cool idea.


I agree, an excellent idea. Could come in many colours too, or should that be flavours?

[milododds]

A silicone or other sort of clear rubber like material might be nice. Perhaps with a redish (raspberry) tint to it and the Raspberry Pi logo molded into it along with some lettering (for educational purposes) are all excellent ideas already posted. This sort of case would be shock resistant and provide a little more protection than some of the other case proposals. I've seen something like this for the Lacie mobile external drives...but so far I haven't seen it in a clear form...also there needs to be enough air space for cooling purposes (is that going to be an issue?).

[itsonlyme]

I am planning on using an empty cigarette packet until such time as cases become available. In the UK made from stiff cardboard and king size appear to be exactly the right size.

***

If you see someone in the street picking up an empty packet go up to them and say "Raspberry", and you've made a friend for life (Grin)

[lobster]

I see no reason why the packaging (plastic and card) that Rpi is sent in, can not be the instructions and case. Hopefully the suppliers will be working towards such . . . with complimentary raspberry jam sachet sponsored by Robinsons; recipe by Liz . . .

Raspberry Pi

3.14159265 of your 5 a day

[rasbeer]

bredman said:


There are two large components, the CPU and GPU. All other components (fuse, voltage regulator, etc) are absolutely tiny. It would be impossible to make labels small enough for the small components.


How about using a Fresnel-style plastic magnifier for the lid?

[killor]

Wage_Slave said:


I know that there is a proposal to produce some form of case for the educational release, but it would be a great shame if the Pi became just another black/grey/raspberry box with untold contents (my car for example has lots!). A transparent case screen printed with the names of the principle components will certainly spark interest. Particularly when there are unexplored connections (e.g. GPIO) which are not just the usual 'plug in your device here'.


I am making a case methacrylate 3 mm thick

[gritz]

Good stuff killor!

FWIW there I watched a video on the BBC news site a day or two ago featuring Eben demoing the Pi. He did mention the case for the educational version and suggested that making it transparent would be a good idea.

But would a clear case make the young 'uns more or less likely to prise it apart in order to get at the innards, I wonder? Forbidden fruit and all that…

Edit: video at bottom of news article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/tech.....y-17245294

[rasbeer]

Won't the big logo obscure the contents (somewhat )?

[killor]

gritz said:


Good stuff killor!

FWIW there I watched a video on the BBC news site a day or two ago featuring Eben demoing the Pi. He did mention the case for the educational version and suggested that making it transparent would be a good idea.

But would a clear case make the young "uns more or less likely to prise it apart in order to get at the innards, I wonder? Forbidden fruit and all that…

Edit: video at bottom of news article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/tech.....y-17245294


Thank's Gritz.

The first idea was to make a CASE that was transparent to "SEE ALL INSIDE."

[killor]

Cutting the acrylic cases with (Carbon dioxide) CO2 laser...  wavelength of 10.6 microns

The video is accelerated to shorten the viewing.  :-)