Designing a 3D printed case?

[symonty]

I was wondering if anyone is thinking about a 3D printed case for the ESP32-Rainbow. I have some ideas and have started on a basic design in shapr3D.
Has anyone started on the same journey and wants to compare notes?
Is there any interest in the 3D case ( I am just scared of damaging him, although the bare board look is pretty awesum )

[andypiper]

FWIW I asked the same thing on the hardware repo earlier in the week (this was before we had discussions set up!).

I have extracted the board footprint as an SVG shape (edges and mounting holes) but I have not done anything more with it yet. My idea was to make more of a bumper or very simple edges + back cover, with gaps for the connectors. It is possible that folks will want to be able to see the pinouts on the back of the board, so a rounded chunky bumper might be a nice way to enable that. I also considered some kind of slot at the top left back for sliding a battery into.

Just my thoughts - no progress beyond that yet.

[andypiper]

progress on this - I will test it tomorrow when I'm near my printer! The concept is that the ESP32 Rainbow board slides in from the top, and the pocket at the top left could hold a battery cell if desired. It is 250mm across though, so needs a larger bed size - something that clips together from smaller parts may be preferred. Anyway, if this is any good I'll upload the model somewhere...

[andypiper]

Here we go, added to the wiki.

I've put the model up on Manyfold and Printables.

[andypiper]

I was also thinking that some triangular frame "feet" to prop up the board at a nicer typing angle may also be useful. Could clip in to the top two mounting holes.

[symonty]

For those who like STEP here is the step file from kicad. I am using it to extract the foot print and then print in two halfs using the bottom screw wholes to clap it together.

[andypiper]

I’m not sure the file upload worked here, the link seems to be posted. The design of the case looks nice!

[naj1024]

Work in progress on openscad design. Some dimensions may not be correct yet.
thingivers item

[symonty]

Work in progress on openscad design. Some dimensions may not be correct yet.

thingivers item

Nice work, i love openscad design work, so industrial. I have done multiple projects on thingiverse using it.

[andypiper]

I like the slant on this!

[naj1024]

Finished.
thingiverse

If you print this you may want to raise the front height as there is little room for any type of screw/bolt.
Fits on a Prusa MK3 printer bed, 240mm * 139mm.

[scuba-hacker]

awesome!