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

July 1, 2013
Closed July 1st for Canada Day

Did we forget to mention that we're currently closed for Canada Day? I think we did. So, yeah. We're not really around for the rest of today, but we'll be back in action tomorrow to return phone calls and emails and ship your orders. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to […]

July 11, 2007
BEP Application: Bare Bones PhotoVore

We like to have some play time at Solarbotics, and the "Bare Bones Photovore" is the results of one of these play sessions. It's a very simple (amongst the simplest, we'll hazard to say) light-seeking solar-powered robot, and find it easy to build using the Bicore Experimenter's PCB.

August 9, 2016
New Product: eSun Filament

We have expanded our selection of eSun filament to include a variety of new types and colours so you can do more with your 3D printing project. eSun Filament is known for its excellent quality, easy to store vacuum sealed packaging and easy-to-view transparent spool. eSun filament is available in both 1.75mm and 3mm thickness and comes […]

March 16, 2001
Solarbotics Sponsoring Wilf!

Solarbotics is pleased to be bringing Wilf Rigter to the Western Canadian Robot Games this April 6 &7. Anybody familiar with the BEAM mailing list will undoubtably recognize the contribution Mr. Rigter has made with his plethora of circuits and ideas. Come out and meet the man behind the email!

1 2 3 253
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