Norns shield case designs

[Ukasz]

Thank you so much for this. Can you please tell me what is the height of the whole unit with case? thanks!

[infovore]

Well, assuming 3mm acrylic and excluding the screws, pots, and knobs, the main assembly is

3 + 12 + 1.6 + 20 + 3 = ~40mm

deep.

[toneburst]

Just a quick note re. the @infovore’s top/bottom panels and Adobe Illustrator;

If you’re planning to use Illustrator to modify the DXF file of the version with the display cutout, before having the panels cut, please make sure you check the scaling is correct.

I found I had to reduce the scale of the panels as they came out significantly larger than they should be, when I opened the DXF file in Illustrator (CC 2019 version).

This likely applies to both versions, but I’ve not tried the version without the cutout.

Incidentally, I’m modifying the design for Rogan PT-2 knobs and C&K PV buttons.

I’m also making the screen cutout smaller, to just show the active part of the display, as opposed to the whole of the display module itself.

Lastly, I’m considering adding the text “NORNS”.

If anyone is interested in my modified version, I’ve forked the original GitHub repo, and will upload my modified version at some point.

[infovore]

Yeah, as the README does stress, I find Inkscape and similar’s handling of DXF a pain, and the only guaranteed solution I have ever found, is to check the scale yourself, both in your graphics tool and your laser tool (if you are doing the cutting yourself).

[toneburst]

@infovore

Yeah, as the README does stress

It does, and thank you for putting the exact width in that document.

I stupidly didn’t check the dimensions in Illustrator initially, but did do a quick printout, and held it against the hardware as a quick-and-dirty visual check.

It was quite obviously way out.

Here’s a quick screenshot of my modified design (bottom panel is unchanged).

Red represents cuts, black areas are engraved.

[Oootini]

nightrider norns.

Actually made a total mess of this. It’s impossible to do this without proper tools. I need to find a local maker workshop.

[okyeron]

Bamboo case prototype for shield:

(natural vertical single ply bamboo - no MDF)

[tapehead]

this is a lovely aesthetic.

[toneburst]

Very nice @okyeron !

[adamplouff]

Worked great! Thanks so much for sharing. I could probably get the top lower if I cut the male end of the spacer holding up the screen but it’s fine for now.

[infovore]

Very nice. Sorry that the button holes are a tad big for yours - I have some funky parts, and I’d always recommend adjusting to size. But looks good!

(My upper spacers are 12mm, I believe)

[bob_ross]

Finally finished the shield. Thanks to @okyeron for the illustrator file for the case. Choose a tinted green acrylic and cut a little blue cello sheet to protect the display. It’ll do. Really enjoyed the project. Big thanks to Brian and Kelli and all involved with the Norns project.

[Ukasz]

My attempt to make a copper case. The knobs are 12mm copper pipe caps. The copper I used was 0.5 mm thickness. Also tried with 0.2 but it was too thin, and bent too easily. I had to isolate the knobs inside because the copper is so conductive, the encoders started acting crazy. And I also added an orange photo filter for the screen

[ganders]

Interested to see what the screen looks like with the orange filter! That looks ace

[Ukasz]

it is a bit dimmer, the filter is called Cokin orange filter. it’s quite thick. I tried very thin filters, foil-like they made the screen brighter

[toneburst]

I’ve just bought one of these laser-cut enclosure kits, and am a little concerned about the lack of ventilation of any kind.

Does anyone have any views on possible safety and/or performance issues with this case and the Norns Shield/RPi 3B+?

[andrew]

@toneburst I have hopefully all the info for that case right here. I linked knobs and some extra parts needed

@Approaching - DIY norns shield

case stuff !

overall v happy with the look & feel of these - better than plenty of stuff that I’ve bought. this one is made from birch plywood but any 3mm laser-cutter friendly material will work. if you live in the city, you can probably source material and cut this at a local makerspace or library without too much hassle

laser file: norns-shield_case.dxf (116.0 KB)

all spacers, screws (2 & 2.5mm), screen headers (incl. what’s in the BOM already), rubber feet & button caps currently in stock at mouser: cart

optimally sized knobs can be acquired from thonk: knob + caps (size small)

not sure if it matters, but I can confirm this power supply fits

sorry all this info lives in a post in this massive thread instead of a GitHub repo like it’s supposed to. (I’ve meant to find the time to formalize everything but haven’t (but also if someone else wants to help I’d be way into that))

[papernoise]

It’s alive with a nice neon (temp-ish) enclosure!
Thanks a lot to @infovore for providing the lasercutting files! And to @Oootini for the standoffs!

One day I’ll make a more “enclosing” enclosure, and maybe find some taller knobs.
But for now this is perfect!

[infovore]

ooh, nice one on adjusting those button holes to fit! i did my best to get the knob holes to fit around the skirts of my knobs, and have lower standoffs. but I’m glad you pulled it off.

[papernoise]

I could have lowered the whole thing, but the buttons that came with the kit were pretty tall, so I had to adjsut everything to that. But it’s not too bad as it is. The knobs are definitely usable.