#93

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+?

#94

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

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))

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#95

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!

norns
norns1200×900 392 KB

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#96

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.

#97

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.

#98

Looks great! Btw: those kit button caps do actually go down much further (and click on very securely) if you give them an alarming amount of vertical force. Not sure if that’s something you’ve already done with yours or not.

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DIY: norns shield
#99

Dey do indeed! haha. I really had to push them down quite a lot though, would never have guessed that by myself. Thanks a lot for the heads up. I guess I can lower the whole thing by at least 3mm now.

#100

Did a few “sandwich-style” acrylic cases in various colors tonight

Fluoro-orange test assemble:

Orange and purple may end up being a touch dark for this. Also… maybe I should make the outline a bit smaller like @papernoise and @infovore did above. :thinking:

People interested in the above design can check out my Norns Shield Case Kits post in the Trade section.

9 Likes
#101

Where on earth are people getting these cut acrylic cases from? Do they happen to have a cutter around?

#102

don’t you have CNC companies in your country?

#103

Just seems quite expensive for testing one-offs… unless goal is to sell them to cover costs.

#104

To be really honest, the first one i did, I pushed so hard that I broke the switch :slight_smile:
I guess my caps are different :partying_face:

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#105

In my case, yes, my studio space has a laser cutter in it, so I pay the cost of materials along with small cover charge (£6 per 30mins) for cutting. Also, you know, rent. But that’s the answer to your question.

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#106

I’m a member of a local Hackerspace (co-op) with a couple of laser cutters.

Usually test prototypes with scrap material and then order specific colors, etc from local/online suppliers.

Ponoko/Razorlab services are not terribly expensive for a one-off if you have a known working design.

@zebra what is your top-half standoff height with the buttons like your picture above?

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#107

do you have the DXF for those?

#108

and how high do the standoffs have to be?

#109

further upthread for mine which are a bit larger than the infovore panels. Compare and see what you like best.

I use an M2.5 8mm long M/F nylon standoff for under the display corners. With the Nylon you can still thread it into the M2 holes. It’s a tight fit, but works OK. Or - you can flip the standoff over and put the Male part thru the display holes instead and trim the bit that sticks out too much.

#110

Just had a case + “sandwich” laser cut locally. Really pleased with the engraving!

I will probably infill the engraved area with black enamel, for a gloss finish, contrasting with the matte surface.

IMG_6463
IMG_64633024×4032 2.17 MB

IMG_6464
IMG_64643024×4032 1.82 MB

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#111

Except, I appear to have the IN and OUT arrows the wrong way round…

F*ck…

Pride before a fall, and all that…

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#112

The earliest prototype shields had a similar reversal. To keep things straight in my head I thought of the markings as abstract speakers where the inward arrow was really a speaker pointing outward!

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