Case / Back cover for Waveshare + Rpi Zero W

Support Raspberry Pi
1

Hi All

Has anyone located or manufactured a case / back cover for this display.

Received it today, plugged the Zero W in and it all worked, including the touch screen, additional usb ports and usb C power port.
A nice back cover for this screen will allow me to use it as a “Rpi-Zero Tablet” for trouble shooting some of my projects.

Extra pleased that the power port is usb-C.

Regards

2

Hi @JW160152 - here’s what I found after some light research on Thingiverse - seems promising :smiley:

image
image1920×1249 217 KB

3

Thanks Michael

Never heard of that site, looks like 3d printer products.

Regards

1 Like
4

If you can’t find anything available from a vendor, the next best thing could be to send one of these files off to a print house. There are many online services now for on-demand 3D printing.

5

Hi Michael

Decided to use laser cut Acrylic.
3 layers, 8mm Black, then 10mm Clear,then 3mm Gloss black lid.
Slot at the bottom to take out the cables.
Will draw it in AutoCad and create dxf files.
Once I am happy I will post them.

Having the middle layer clear (on the sides only) the blue Zero light should be visible.
I am including a slot to slip the strip with the 5 push buttons in.
The power button is handy to turn the screen off whilst still running the Rpi-Zero.

Regards

1 Like
6

Sounds great :smiley:
Looking forward to your updates. If you decide you want to share your design with the world (and maybe pick up a store credit in the process) consider publishing a project :slight_smile:

1 Like
7

Hi Michael

Interested in sharing that’s all.
Photo’s attached, if anyone interested in the laser cutting files then I can post a zip file with them in. The clear layer was intended to show led activity, but it’s a bit hard to see. The push buttons push in nice and tight,but forgot to write down the functions, but only interested in the power button.
The 6mm gap where the leads come out is little tight, so will file 1 or 2 mm of the next layer to allow usb plugs to enter. Total thickness is 22 mm.
To make it really nice I may polish the edge to make it look more like one block.
The charging lead shown in the picture goes to a usb charger pack in my pocket.
Note the DS3231 RTC hardwired in…
Cost of laser cutting and material was $85.

REgards

IMG_0252
IMG_0252480×640 74.6 KB

IMG_0251
IMG_0250
IMG_0250480×640 88.5 KB

IMG_0246
IMG_0246480×640 89 KB

3 Likes
8

That case is awesome Michael!!!

Very clean and professional looking

1 Like
9

Hey that’s awesome @JW160152 :open_mouth: very tidy result! You’ve gotta be pleased with that.
If you felt like posting the .zip file I’m sure we could find a home for it here :smiley:

10

Hi All

The zip file attached.
It has both pdf and dxf files with material and qty added as text.

The reason for only using 6mm thick Acrylic is that most laser cutters can cut it.
The only improvement I will make is to drill a hole above / or on the side of the Zero led and put a fibre
optic core into the hole. That will project the led activity.

Regards
Rpi-Zero-Case-V1.zip (115.9 KB)

2 Likes
11

Hi All

To save grief following is assembly instructions.
Use some masking tape on the screen , as it will spend most of this time face down on the bench.

  1. Remove all paper from plastic.(except outside of 3mm)
  2. Stack the pieces 6mm Black, 6mm clear, 6mm black and finally 3mm Black.Don’t put the 3mm upside down so it doesn’t line up with ribbon connector.
  3. Using clamps line them up neatly and clamp tight.
  4. Mark 4 holes where to drill, keeping in mind the lower strip is narrow.
  5. Drill 2.5 mm holes right through all layers.
  6. Tap 3mm through all layers.
  7. Remove clamps and drill 3mm through the top 3 layers.
  8. Screw all 4 together but don’t tighten.Make sure the screw is not longer then the 4 layers. At this point use a flat file to open up the cable gap to allow usb plugs through. (8mm gap)
  9. Remove paper from back of LCD exposing the adhesive and put the stack in place.
  10. Slacken the 3mm screws slightly and drip a couple of drops of superglue into gaps. (Don’t glue the lid layer) Then tighten screws quickly and wipe away excess.
    I actually used M3 studs and glued them in, then M3 dome nuts on the lid.
  11. The little push button strip that come with the LCD can be pushed evenly into the holes of the lid and in my case was firmly in place without having to glue it.

All done.
I have left the Rasp-Pi Zero power lead with switch permanently in and put a short
USB A to USB C adapter in the second USB port and a Bluetooth Mouse/Keyboard dongle in the third.
Now when I need to , I can plug a USB 4 port router into the second port without taking the lid off.

A handy seamstress friend made me a micro-fibre lines pouch that fits all the bits,
but always remembering to slide the LCD in face down on the micro-fibre.

Regards

12

Hi @JW160152, the assembly instructions are really appreciated especially the reminder about how easy it is to scratch screens like this if you are not careful. Thanks for your advice!

13

Hi All
Just an update on bringing the led visible on the outside.
Used 3mm Fibre Optic and works very well, see pics.
Push the Fibre so the end is just short of the led.

IMG_0271
IMG_0271480×640 110 KB

IMG_0275
IMG_0275480×640 82.2 KB

Regards

2 Likes