Creating custom USB Hub for custom Pi case

Question

Sorry if this is the wrong place...

I want to make a custom media center case for my Raspberry Pi that will house the Pi and a USB Hub (maybe a HDD but unlikely).

I'd prefer it if all the cables are kept on the inside of the case, and all the ports for the case are at the back.

After searching a while for USB Hubs, it soon dawned on me that no USB Hub has the power port and usb ports on the same side, with the connector (so you can connect it to the Pi) on the inside.

And it's also unlikely that I will ever find one as it would be a weird design. So, I pretty much have no choice than to either modify an existing USB Hub so it matches my needs, or create my own relatively from scratch.

It would have to be a powered USB Hub so that it can power the Pi aswell.

The problem is, I have never done anything close to this before, so I am completely clueless as to where to start..

So, I was wondering if anyone could suggest some stuff I read/watch so that I can give it a go? Or perhaps an already existing USB Hub that would be relatively easy to modify to my needs.

Thanks

gregoryfenton · Answer

A slight misunderstanding there, but again this is not unsurmountable. You could take a standard existing hub, remove the ports and power supply connectors and mount new ones on a PCB with the orientation as you wish and make a new case to suit.

Former Member · Answer

You can test and design a layout with programs like pspice , but programs like fritzing.org can allow you to just do layout for having a PCB done professionally (or etch yourself if you don't mind handling chemicals). Michael Kellett is right though, PCB design is complicated. I've started with designing a simple pcb around a port expander using fritzing. Adafruit.com is a site that will sell USB ports in small quantity to be mounted on your PCB but I do not know where to get the controller chip.