Raspberry Pi 5 + Active Cooler + NVMe SSD case

Update 18Sept'24: new lid design with the GPIO break-out increased in size so that a 40pin cable with its connectors can easily fit thru the slot.

Although somewhat based upon a previous Raspberry Pi 5 snap-fit model (see here) this new design is for a larger Pi 5 assembly that includes the Pimoroni NVMe Base fitted with a SSD. The Pi/SSD assembly just sits unsecured inside the base, being clamped in place by the lid, but the Pimoroni NVMe Base does have its supplied stick-on rubber feet fitted in order to cushion and provide an air space beneath the NVMe Base.

The original case snap-fit features have been retained but due to the build-up of tolerances, the snap-fitting could not be considered very secure (but may be OK for short term development use), so the design also has four ‘lugs’ that allow 20mm long M3 pan head screws to be inserted through the lid lugs and to self tap into the base lugs - providing a very secure mechanical closure of the case.

Additional features include:

• the retention of the original small screwdriver slots to allow the snap-fit parts of the base and lid to be more easily ‘prised’ apart for access to the Pi/SSD assembly;
• the lid not only has air vents but also break-outs for access to two slots for camera ribbon cables plus, for either direct access to the GPIO pins or to use a 40pin GPIO cable; and
• easy access to the Pi 5 power on/off button.

Self adhesive feet are used to raise the case above the surface to allow cool air to flow in from beneath the case.

More detail on the usage context is available from this link.

All the components use 1.75mm PLA and a layer height of 0.15mm with print details for each component produced on an i3 Mk3 shown in the table below.