Being able to cheaply produce 3D prototypes makes MakerBot Replicator amazing. We recently acquired a Replicator 2 at work, which we used to print a case for Raspberry Pi Model B Rev 2. Here’s the result.
Image may be NSFW.
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Here’s some lessons learned:
- I had a hard time fitting Raspberry Pi into the case. I had to use a box cutter to make several adjustments. I was wishing I had a Dremel.
- I wanted a transparent case, but the printed case is quite opaque. So much so that it is hardly possible to make out which LEDs on the board are lit (see image below).
- It took above an hour to print each half of the case. Be prepared to let the printer do its work for a good few hours.
- The final finish is rough to touch, it appears neatly textured though.
- The case becomes warm to touch after running Raspberry Pi continuously for a day or so, without much CPU load. At 30% CPU load, held for two hours, temperature within the case rises to 35 °C, CPU/GPU temperature to 60 °C, at an ambiente temperature of 26 °C.
- We have had our Raspberry Pi reboot spontaneously due to RF interference. We’ll probably need to go for a metallic case.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Despite all the hard work, a case such as this would have taken us much longer to prototype in the past.
Filed under: Hardware, Hardware Design, Raspberry Pi Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
