Hey Everyone! I have been designing my own back plate for the Uconsole over the last few weeks.
With all of the impressive designs on this forum, its been really exciting to try my hand at it too.
My design constraints were unique.
I wanted a 3D printable design that could be printed 100% without support. This allows folks with simple setups, budget constraints, or single nozzle printers to easily use an exotic material. In the photos, I used regular PETG. But I also created prototypes with PET-CF.
This is built to use heat inserts for all of the hardware. Heat inserts were added to the 3D prints with a soldering iron.
I wanted a system that could allow easy easy access to the CM5 cavity or the battery cavity without removing the entire back plate.
The back plate also needed to support the 8 antenna scheme that is current with the HackerGadgets AIOv2 + the CM5 WiFi. All antennas needed to be solidly secure and as low profile as possible. I also needed the SDR Antenna to remain unobtrusive when mounted but stay mounted.
The system needed to incorporate the original kickstand and retain the kickstand when closed. In addition to the kickstand, I have added feet on to the bottom of the design to allow the Uconsole to stand on end with a high level of stability.
The system supports an active cooler from Waveshare or a passive cooler of the same dimensions. I added additional mounting positions for the RPI 5 cooler fan. This will allow you to mount the fan as an exhaust for the full upper cavity.
The battery cavity supports the use of a LIPO Unit or the original 18650 setup. The battery cavity also houses a mount for an Apple Airtag.
I wanted the fan cover to be open source for someone to design their own unique flair.
I needed all supporting accessories to be easily sourced and I preferred to avoid AliExpress due to shipping times, tariffs, and other availability concerns/product variation. All of the additional purchased parts, like the camera lens, are easily found through Amazon here in the US. All of the Antennas are also easily sourced here in the US.
All of the hardware for this build were easily sourced at an ACE hardware or through Amazon.
Design downsides so far!
The SD Card is currently inaccessible. This is not an issue, as I use an EMMC CM5. BUT I plan to resolve this issue for further usage and users who need the SD Card access.
There currently is no integration of a “killswitch” system. This will be added later.
The antennas I use are a small, low profile setup, and the design limits other antenna setups. However, most antennas fit within the diameter constraints and the SMA holders allow you to choose the placement and if you need regular or RP SMAs.
Camera placement is difficult to route a cable around if you plan to use an exhaust fan and a passive cooler.
The NVME is not removable without a full back plate disassembly. This does not seems like a constraint, but a minor inconvenience.
So, this is amazing. I have one comment for ease of access… They make really nice thumbscrews that have the same pitch as the stock uConsole, and since you are using heat inserts, you should have a wider variety of choices. I love this!
Thanks for the kind words! I have not released any files yet. I am still working through some of the bugs that I think should be smoothed out first.
It appears that the stand would function with my case. But I am not 100% sure. What program did you use to build the stand? If you are comfortable sharing the .OBJ or the .STEP, I can import to my model and see if it conflicts.
I used fusion 360 free. Here is an stl file (slightly different from maker world) JefJefferson/Uconsole-Handle · GitHub (GitHub is the only way I could think to share it)
I appreciate the feedback. I was not attempting to steal work or sales from @beams, as I do think his work is truly exceptional. I do appreciate his hard work and all he does for this community. I would like to clarify that I did not use any of his digital files, but I did take inspiration from his design.
This design can be heavily attributed to @beams and I have no problem saying that. Nor am I willing to take, or should be given, full credit. I will acknowledge that it was my mistake for NOT giving him credit in the initial post. And I meant no malicious intent in the initial post. I only wanted to create a design that was a little more user approachable and unique to my own needs.
I was also not completely sure if I wanted to make the files available. I had been tossing the idea back and forth. After the feedback, it seems that no matter what changes I make to the design or the method that I would use to share those files, would sit right with this community.
As such, if you would all prefer I remove the post, I will do so.
Thank you to this community for the inspirations and feedback.
@Defiance, thanks for sharing your thoughts! That was a fantastic piece of work, no doubt about it. However, there are terms for derivative designs. The terms sit it out this way because the project was created to have long term support for other buyers… not following terms means it destroys the support model for others…
It would be much appreciated to remove the content first. Please get in touch with me through the discord support channel; I will find a better way to share your work. Let’s chat about this separately.
Let’s me be clear here. If I see anyone else flagging this post just « because other are doing », or any brand new account created after this topic was posted taking vehemently taking defence of the other project you will be marked as suspicious account and you are taking the risk of losing all acounts.
Having multiple account to try to bypass moderation or trying to push your own agenda is against the rules you accepted when joining this forum.
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And @defiance even if NAL, taking inspiration from something is not using that something. Terms and conditions, especially ones that are not really enforceable to start with, do not bind people looking at a project.
And crediting inspiration is politeness but it is not law.
