Oct 20, 2015 | By Tess

3D Hubs have recently collaborated with the BeagleBoard Foundation in order to design and create a 3D printed portable lab case for the BeagleBone Black development board. Excitingly, 3D Hubs have made the 3D design files for the case available on Instructables, so anyone with a BeagleBone Black can additively manufacture and assemble their very own case for it.

The BeagleBoard Foundation, for those unfamiliar with it, is an American non-profit company whose aim is to promote the design and use of open-source software and hardware in embedded computing. The website works as a platform for developers of open-source software and hardware to communicate, share ideas, and innovate. The BeagleBone Black is their open-hardware computer meant for developers and hobbyists and which is hardly bigger than a credit card. BeagleBoard Black users have used the computer platform to make various things including home automation systems, Super Nintendo emulators, Linux computers, and even underwater robots.

The new BeagleBone Black case made in partnership with 3D Hubs, leading network of 3D printers, was designed in order to help makers and developers take their projects on the go. George Fisher-Wilson, the Business Development Manager at 3D Hubs says, “As avid fans of BeagleBoard, we set out to create a 3D pintable design that improved upon the existing capabilities of the BeagleBone Black. The result is a durable, easy-to-print case that both protects the BeagleBone Black and allows users to quickly access the board for prototyping anywhere, anytime.”

The 3D printed case, which was designed with the help of designer Helder Santos, can accommodate the BeagleBoard Black, a half-size breadboard, as well as extra small parts such as LEDs, or resistors.

The BeagleBone Black case was also made in keeping with BeagleBoard’s open-source philosophy, as the files to 3D print the case have been made available for free through Instructables. 3D Hubs suggests additively manufacturing the parts on your own 3D printer or sending the files to your local 3D Hub location. The parts pictured were made on a Beethefirst FDM 3D printer without any supports and with a resolution of 0.1mm.

3D Hubs employee Ferkan does make a note that the results could vary depending on the printer being used and suggests using a high quality printer, such as an SLS printer for the best results. He also points out that adjustments can be made to the files before printing, such as scaling the parts up by 2% for an easier, looser fit for the BeagleBone Black. The case’s assembly is straightforward but does require additional screws and hinges.

If you happen to own a BeagleBone Black or are looking to purchase one, check out this stylish and practical case for the open-hardware computer and 3D print it yourself!

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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