Notifications
Clear all

Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)  

  RSS
Laurent's Lab
(@laurents-lab)
Eminent Member
Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

After struggling with thermal issues on an (otherwise great) 3D-printed plastic mount for my 3B, I decided to switch to a better thermal solution for my new Pi4 (Octoprint).

I was looking at a passively-cooled option and researched the existing solutions including a mount for the whole Flirc case. Eventually, I decided to build a hybrid solution using the top of an aluminum case for cooling and a 3D-printed replacement bottom with the frame mount for the MK3/S.

I ordered a few different aluminum cases and ended up settling for the generic but solid and inexpensive Geekworm Heavy Duty case (Amazon). I recreated a matching bottom and added a mounted feature at the bottom to attach to the back on the MK3/S frame, above the electronics box. I printed the bottom in orange, mostly for the contrasting pictures, but it actually looks very nice, so I am planning to keep it that way.

PrusaPrinters

Thingiverse

Posted : 02/06/2020 11:03 pm
bobstro liked
Agkirk
(@agkirk)
Estimable Member
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

Did you scan the Geeksworks case or did you manually create the CAD file for the .stl?  Nice job, I'm going to make one. Thanks

Posted : 03/06/2020 6:31 pm
Laurent's Lab
(@laurents-lab)
Eminent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

@1agkirk2

It's all measured with calipers and then designed from scratch in Fusion 360.

Here are some "mechanical samples" I printed to do fine alignment on edges and holes and test the printing of the fins and screw holes without support.

This post was modified 4 years ago by Laurent's Lab
Posted : 03/06/2020 6:57 pm
jsw liked
Agkirk
(@agkirk)
Estimable Member
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

@laurent-m4

Impressive work product and thanks for taking the time to document your design effort. 

Posted : 03/06/2020 7:03 pm
Gavin
(@gavin)
Eminent Member
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

I assume you did not get the camera working on this ?
I do not see how you got the camera cable out of the case or is it possible ?

Posted : 12/05/2021 8:09 pm
Laurent's Lab
(@laurents-lab)
Eminent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)
Posted by: @gavin

I assume you did not get the camera working on this ?
I do not see how you got the camera cable out of the case or is it possible ?

It is possible. If you look at the PrusaPrinters link in the original post, I recently added 3 photos at the end related to the lowered version of the mount (for lightbar compatibility) and you can see the camera cable coming out of the top. I have been using it that way since day 1.

It does require some amount of acrobatics with the ribbon cable inside the case, but not hard folding of any kind. At one point, you have do run vertically between the heatsink columns.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Laurent's Lab
Posted : 12/05/2021 8:57 pm
Gavin liked
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

Great job.   I really like the detail on that.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 12/05/2021 11:58 pm
Gavin
(@gavin)
Eminent Member
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)

@laurents-lab

Hi,
thank you for that info, awesome design, can you please post a picture of how you mounted the camera ?
thank you
Gavin

Posted : 13/05/2021 7:10 am
Laurent's Lab
(@laurents-lab)
Eminent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Aluminum Case mount for Raspberry Pi 4B (Octopi/Octoprint)
Posted by: @gavin

@laurents-lab

Hi,
thank you for that info, awesome design, can you please post a picture of how you mounted the camera ?
thank you
Gavin

I use some version of this:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2736439

The ribbon runs all the way from the top of the RPi case to the bottom, runs along the left side to the camera mount. 

Posted : 13/05/2021 7:20 am
Share: