Single board computers (SBCs) like the Raspberry Pi and 3D printing technology are coming together like peanut butter and jelly, and the price of entry into the world of 3D printers is lower than ever. You can buy a basic 3D printer for about the same price as a high-end Raspberry Pi, but if you haven’t made that particular connection yet, there are several good reasons to use a 3D printer.
Print custom boxes that fit your project perfectly
Endless variety is just a click away
There are numerous commercial Raspberry Pi boxes that you can buy, and they are often not that expensive. Injection-molded cases certainly look nice and professional, and only if you have a Raspberry Pi and intend to use it. standard computerThere’s nothing wrong with tossing one of the official cases into your cart before checking out.
Likewise, if you want a clear case so you can admire the circuit board and components without exposing your Pi to the elements, an acrylic case is the best way to do it, even if it’s relatively expensive. If you’re going to make more than one Pis (which happens very quickly) or if you have a variety of specific projects that you want to use the SBC for, a 3D printer is the way to go. There are thousands of custom cases you can print for the entire Raspberry Pi family, and of course you can modify them or create your own from scratch if you have the time and skills.
Craft equipment not available in stores
A customer base
Although the Raspberry Pi was originally created to make learning to code cheaper and more accessible, it is now also inextricably linked to maker culture. there is people who make all kinds of really cool gadgets Using Raspberry Pi as the main component behind everything.
For example, that little box you see above on that TV “A cable simulator of the 90s” Created by Shane Mason. As the name suggests, a fake cable box that recreates the cable TV experience from the 90s.
Of course, it does not end there. Many projects require special assemblies and parts for the final device to function properly. Whether you’re building a custom arcade machine or a robot, you’ll probably need parts you can’t buy off the shelf to make it all work. 3D printers have been developed for this situation.
Of course, you can always send your file to a print farm and have someone else print them for you, but if you’re doing custom projects, that takes away one of the main benefits of 3D printing – rapid prototyping. The ability to quickly print and iterate your designs will make any project run more smoothly and is well worth the price of admission.
- Installation Volume
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256 × 256 × 256 mm
- Connection
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Wi-Fi
ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and adds an affordable, effective multi-color system to the mix.
Make your Raspberry Pi installations look professional
It doesn’t look like it was made from scraps in a cave
3D printing isn’t the only way to make things, of course. You can use anything from wood to LEGO bricks to make the accessories you need for your projects. However, if you want your Pi project to look professional or factory-made, 3D printing is the easiest way. Modern 3D printers can produce objects that don’t look miles away from the quality of injection-molded items, and if you’re willing to put in a little effort with the right finishing techniques, you can end up with something that looks better than mass-produced plastic.
Add to that the latest multi-material technology, advanced printing techniques and exciting filament options that include carbon fiber, wood and metal filled filament and the sky really is the limit. Rather, it is your imagination and creativity. This is especially true when you are making a niche item that you want to sell.
For example, there are modifications for the original PlayStation that replace the CD-ROM drive with an SD card reader (As reported on Hackaday.) This mod uses a Raspberry Pi Pico and a 3D printer that elegantly places the SD card slot where the CD-ROM drive is. This is just one example of how you can make a professional looking product with your own in-house 3D printer.
Joining the community where Raspberry Pi and 3D printing go hand in hand
As I said before, there is a lot of overlap between the 3D printing community and the Raspberry Pi community. So, chances are if you’ve dabbled in the world of Raspberry Pi hobbyists online, you’ve also been exposed to 3D printing culture. A Venn diagram of people who do both may not be a perfect circle, but the overlap is certainly significant.
There are certainly plenty of people in these communities showcasing projects based in some way on 3D printed parts. If you already have access to a community of people who can help you get the most out of your Pis using 3D printing, why not go for it?
