Raspberry Pi 4B Octoprint Case with Fan

*This version is designed for a Raspi 4b with fan.

If you need the 3b+ version it is linked here.*

Update: Per a user request I've added a case version that uses 3mm case screws. Warning: I have two Pi4B's and neither of them have mounting holes large enough for 3mm screws. Be careful to not damage the board of your Pi.

Update: Case_Rear.stl and Case_Rear_V2.stl files have been updated to tighten up the case screw standoff holes. This will allow the 2.5mm screws to get a better bite into the plastic.

Update: Reoriented the rear case with M2.5 nut pockets so that it is the correct orientation for printing. Also, added a rear case with nut pockets which includes a knockout panel that covers the GPIO pin slot.

Update: Per a request by sekazi I added a rear case with M2.5 nut pockets. Thanks to sekazi for printing and feedback.

Update: Added Version 2 of the case.

Version 2 adds the ability to print a clear status lamp viewing lens.

Under brighter lighting conditions the status LEDs are difficult to see through the translucence of the version 1 case. I redesigned the case to separate the viewing lens from the case material.

Based on what I learned from doing the remix of Licantrop's Raspberry Pi 3 B Case Bear Upgrade, this is a design from scratch of my Raspberry Pi 4B case with fan.

My Raspi 4B was idling around 56c, but after installing the fan to the 3.3V connection it is now idling at 43c. There is a low volume whine that the fan produces which is almost unnoticeable but it is there.

*Case cover with OctoPrint Logo

• Access to GPIO pins
• Access to camera ribbon cable connector
• Access to SD card
• MicroUSB power connector access
• HDMI port access
• Access to 3.5mm composite video/audio connector
• LAN port access
• USB port access
• Ability of monitoring status LED's through case.

Designed to fit

• 30 x 30 x 7 mm fan
• M 2.5 screw kit

*OctoPrint and the OctoPrint logo are registered trademarks* octoprint.org

Print Settings

Printer:

HyperCube Evolution

Rafts:

No

Supports:

No

Resolution:

.2

Infill:

20%

Filament:

3D Solutech PLA

Whatever color you like.

Notes:

NOTICE

**If you are slicing with Cura version 4.8.0 then see the following.

I identified a bug in Cura 4.8.0.

It causes a very long print time due to a slicing error.

There are two workarounds I've found:**

1. Change the line width in Cura 4.8.0 to 0.39 instead of the default 0.4. 2. Slice with 4.7.1 or 4.9.0 and above.

What it is about the stl that causes the bug to show up is unknown to me. I checked with Meshmixer and the model is fine. Tried re-exporting from F360 to a new file and experienced the same issue. I opened a bug report, but Ultimaker closed it as not being able to duplicate.

The case is designed to be printed with a .4 mm nozzle. The status LED area of the Front_Case is designed as one perimeter thick. If the case is printed with a filament that is translucent the LED indicators are visible.

Case is printable with a .5 mm nozzle, but there may be some anomalies I've not picked up while previewing in Cura. The status LED area will be .1 mm thicker which will reduce the translucence.

I found that printing the Version 2 viewing lens is best with 1 perimeter and 100% fill. To color the raised text, I used a black magic marker.

Post-Printing

Assembly

Built in support material for the screw holes needs to be removed. I used an X-Acto knife to remove it but a drill bit works too.

The case screws utilize either self threading into the rear case standoffs or nuts depending on the rear case that is printed.

Needed hardware:

• Case screws for self threading rear case.
  • 4 M2.5 x 10 mm screws
• Nut pocket rear case
  • 4 M2.5 x 25 mm screws
  • 4 M2.5 hex nuts
• Fan Screws
  • 4 M2.5 x 12 mm screws
  • 4 M2.5 nuts
• Mounting hardware
  • 2 M5 x 10 mm screws for 3030 extrusion mounting.
  or 2 M5 x 8 mm screws for 2020 extrusion mounting.
  • 2 M5 hammerhead nuts
• 30 x 30 x 7 mm fan

Additional Notes:

*When assembling the case to the Raspberry Pi verify that the fan screws clear the CPU heatsinks. (Screws supplied with the fan are usually longer than 12 mm.)

• To insure that the nuts do not come loose, place a small drop of glue to hold then in place on the screws.

The above is the vendor's install directions to Connect the fan to GPIO pins of Raspberry Pi

How I Designed This

• The design started as a sketched rectangle in Fusion 360 drawn around a GrabCad Pi 4B mock up.
• After extrusion to a box, and sketching in the port access and cooling slots, and adding the OctoPrint logo, came printing, testing and design changes.
• Over two weeks the case design evolved.
• Printed on my Hypercube and installed on my Kossel Delta.

Category: 3D Printer Accessories