Solarbotics Raspberry Pi 3 SAFE Assembly...

Dave Hrynkiw
April 25, 2016

The instructions for assembling the Pi v3 and the previous acrylic Pi SAFE are quite similar. The only difference between the models is the location of the LED light pipes, so these Pi3 instructions apply generally to all Pi SAFE versions.

1. Your Parts!

IMG_1378-parts
Step 1: Parts
  • 8 x 4-40 nuts
  • 8 x 4-40 x 3/8" bolts
  • 2 x Clear acrylic light-pipes
  • 4 x Black acrylic spacers
  • 6 x Black acrylic SAFE sides (shown here with brown protective paper already removed)
  • 0 x Raspberry Pi (sorry - not included in the kit!)

2. The Baseplate

IMG_1379-Screws and spacers
Step 2: Baseplate preparation

Find 4 of the 4-40 x 3/8" bolts, and put them through the baseplate, and press the spacers on from the other side. Thee bolts will sort of stay put until you can get the Raspberry Pi on the baseplate. (If adding to a VESA mount, do only 2 diagonal screws)

3. Adding the Raspberry Pi

IMG_1382-Pi_mounted copy
Step 3: Mounting the Pi to the baseplate

Slide the Raspberry Pi onto the bolts. The Pi is designed for metric M3 hardware, but we're still using imperial #4 hardware, which is a smidge bigger. The bolts may need to be screwed through the holes in the Pi.

Add the #4 nuts, and tighten them down.

 4. Adding 3 of the 4 Sides

IMG_1383-mount_sides
Step 4: 3 of the 4 sides to be added to the baseplate

Arrange the sides as shows. The sideplate on the top in this image has the long cutout to accommodate a ribbon cable from the 40-pin expansion port. The front faceplate on the right (with the label engravings face-down) is for the communications side. The sideplate on the bottom has the ports for the power, video, and audio I/O.

Align them all up on the baseplate, and use a pair of 4-40 nuts and bolts to lock them in place.

5. Adding the SD-Card / LightPipe Faceplate

IMG_1385-lightpipes_1
Step 5a: Preparing for lightpipes

Lay the final side faceplate face-down beside the assembly, and pop the clear lightpipe parts out of their holder. It is not necessary to strip the paper off this part.

Sandwich the two lightpipes together, and push them into the lightpipe indicator hole. They will sit a bit loose until the faceplate is attached to the baseplate.

IMG_1388-lightpipes_2
Step 5b: Lightpipe assembly

Carefully assemble this assembly to the baseplate, and finish attaching it with the remaining 4-40 nuts and bolts.

Step 6: Top Plate mounting

Notch the top plate into the slots in the rear faceplate, and gently flex the frontplate out to let the tab snap into place. You're ready to power up, with full access to the indication LEDs on the Pi mainboard via the lightpipes!

IMG_1391-final
Complete!

.

MORE POSTS

January 22, 2014
Wednesday Links: Marble Track Table, Fil...

Technology empowering cats! Cats should have the right to tweet! Or at least have a live video stream dedicated to their cat-like doings and goings. All with the help of Arduino Yun.This is just one of the many things (five is considered many, right?) that we have for you today: Wooden Table Carved with Marble […]

April 10, 2008
Solar Pendulum of DOOOM blogged on MAKE

I love MAKE magazine. I always enjoy reading (then trying) the projects in each magazine. I was a bit disappointed in their last issue where they didn't cover the complete process to make gunpowder, but that's a minor complaint. I just noticed on their blog that they're talking about our Solar Pendulum kit and Christopher […]

October 5, 2007
Solarbotics Closed Monday(Thanksgiving)

Yes, we're Canadian, so we celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend a bit earlier than our neighbours to the South. Thus, we won't be in on Monday the 8th. But our website will always be here! Have a good Columbus Day down there!

January 13, 2014
Monday Projects: Lasercut Stamps - Resea...

Yours truly is about to teach a mixed media class and wanted to try making some stamps to enhance my (and my students') collaging experience. Stamps are used to create background patterns and give interest to surface design in 2d mixed media techniques. There is a variety of stamps available both online and in craft […]

1 7 8 9 10 11 253
Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.

cart