Case Study: Raspberry Pi 3 Enclosure

Requirements:

The requirement was to design a basic enclosure for Raspberry Pi 3 (SBC) module. The application of the enclosure requires it to cover the module completely while also giving access to all the connecting components on the module. The team also suggested us to give provision to mount a cooling fan on top of the enclosure. The enclosure needed to be compact and can be carried around easily.

Work process:

After discussion with the team we initiated the Designing process, we decided to showcase one iteration that they would like and go ahead and 3D print that design for fitment check and aesthetics looks.

The next process would be to go for 3D printing parts, verify the design using vacuum casting process for batch production and finally move on to Injection molding mass manufacturing process.

Iteration- 1:

Concept Sketch

Since the first basic requirement was to only create an enclosure that will cover the module and can give access to the connectors, we went ahead with a basic design sketch.

Fig: Hand drawn sketch of the enclosure for the module

Fig: CAD render design for the module

While the design seemed very small and compact, the team added with the requirement to hide the cooling fan. We went ahead and made a 3D printed part with some modifications to it to check for fitment.

Fig: 3D Printed Enclosure

Iteration- 2:

While the functionality of the enclosure was on point for the team, the exposed fan mount on the top didn’t get along with the aesthetics.

So to hide the fan we went back to sketching another design wherein we can enclose all the components inside. Also making sure it looked good.

Concept Sketch- 2

Fig: Hand drawn sketch for the 2^nd Iteration

Design

In this design the Fan mount is hidden inside a top part that slides out to give access to the connector points on the Raspberry pi 3 module. There are vents added on the bottom.