3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

fmilburn — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 01:45:38 GMT

I went ahead and enlarged the width of the case 1 mm and the height of the top by 1.6 mm so it fits the Pi better. I also added a full circular cutout to the parametric settings for the full opening fanboys (pun intended) [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-444ebd0e-e76e-4252-be9e-fd624456d70a/8372.contentimage_5F00_938.png:16:16].

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x445/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-444ebd0e-e76e-4252-be9e-fd624456d70a/3034.contentimage_5F00_204297.jpg:620:445]

I plan to use this case in a RoadTest of the Raspberry Pi 4B which will compare performance in face recognition using OpenCV to a Raspberry Pi 3B+. Both will use the same SD card and be housed in the same case with a fan so they can run at full speed and to minimize differences other than the board itself.

There are some nice cases showing up in the market now which minimizes the need to print your own, but this has been an interesting exercise in design nonetheless. As for what could be improved, the clips / tab arrangement could probably be made to fit better although it is fully functional as is. I am not sure the tolerances of my 3D printer will allow much more improvement.

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

ntewinkel — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 20:03:37 GMT

3D-printerly challenged question here... can 3D printer models like this be run on a CNC instead?

Seeing as there's no odd overhangs happening, it seems like it should be possible.

I really should just retire early so I can actually learn how to use that CNC... hopefully the world will have Basic Universal Income by the time I run out of retirement savings. [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-444ebd0e-e76e-4252-be9e-fd624456d70a/contentimage_5F00_403.png:16:16]

edit: or not retire, so I can buy a 3D printer [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-444ebd0e-e76e-4252-be9e-fd624456d70a/contentimage_5F00_3.png:16:16]

-Nico

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

balearicdynamics — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 19:08:29 GMT

Frank, do you plan to share the fusion files?

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

fmilburn — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 03:41:02 GMT

Several 3D printed cases for the Pi 4 were featured in the Adafruit blog today. I thought this one interesting.

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

dougw — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 19:33:58 GMT

Nice design. The "ports on multiple sides" design of the Pi is a great application for 3D printed solutions, but I have shied away from doing them because of the temperature. I had one box (not for a Pi) that sagged over the course of a year or so due to elevated temperatures. It wasn't approaching PLA melting temperature - it was something like the temperature in a car cab. The black items in a car can get too hot to touch comfortably if they are in the sun - about 60 C, but these boxes weren't in direct sunlight. I know the internal temperature of a Pi processor is in this range, I'm just not sure how hot the plastic case could get. I would be interested to know how your case fares over time (and temperature).

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

shabaz — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 17:29:18 GMT

Hi Frank,

That's a professional looking case!! It looks really good. Very cool that everything snaps into place.

It's nice how the LED shines through too.

And extra-neat that it has the easy access for the 40-way connector.

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

genebren — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 14:34:16 GMT

Frank,

Great looking case! You did a great job on the design. Does the case snap together (no through screws and ramps on the back and sides)? Good to see that the cooling seems to be holding internals temperatures below the warning and throttling limits.

Good work!

Gene

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

e14phil — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 14:22:45 GMT

I (genuinely) love the feel of using $500+ kit and years of know how to fix a problem as small as a $12 case.

Fills me with genuine happiness.

Phil

RE: 3D Printed Raspberry Pi 4 Enclosure with Fan

ralphjy — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 05:28:54 GMT

Hi Frank,

Nice build. I'll have to try Fusion 360. I like the ability to switch design options quickly. One thing I would have done differently is to remove the slots in the fan mounting (i.e. just make it a big hole). I think the slots will impede the airflow a lot although it seems things are working okay for you. It may also help with the fan noise.

Ralph