Mounted 7" Raspberry Pi Monitor Enclosure for Ender 3

I bought one of those 7" IPS Pi monitors a while back, and recently decided I wanted to start playing with Klipper/Octoprint and decided to put it to use. The idea is to replace my current interface with this monitor.

The whole thing sandwiches around the monitor with 2x M3x14 (bottom) and 2x M3x12 bolts (top) and nuts. Pressure-fit the nuts in to the case, then mount the case to the frame of your printer with M4 T-nuts (fits on an Ender 3 v1 at least). Run cables to the monitor, then screw it all together.

Below are notes from the building process:

Updates will come as my first prints finish.

Update v03: model errors in v02 causing odd slicing behavior. Replaced v02 with v03 outright.

Update v04: changed bolt brackets to run all the way through the print, to prevent supports from breaking off on the odd surfaces they would otherwise rest on, since this is actively happening to me in my first test print. Leaving v03 for consideration.

Update v05: as I watched my my v03 print coming out, I realized that the slots of the vent holes were off by 1. Corrected as v05.

Design update: I finished printing the v03. Supports did not stick on the inside, but by a miracle the nut retaining brackets still printed and only one of them was malformed. Nut holes are tight, I had to really force them in (pulled them in to place with a bolt). The vent slots are aesthetically pleasing, but do take a lot out of the structural rigidity of the case. I also couldn't find my right-angle USB cable, you'll need one of those for this to work, as well as at minimum a 3A power supply, since the Pi will be driving (in my case) a monitor, camera, and fan... although the fan is probably unnecessary. I also put up a photo album of the build process so far.

Update v06: I updated the lid to indicate the bottom and include some alignment notches. The STL won't cooperate, please print it face down. Supports might be necessary for the outside bevel. I also completely rebuilt the case from scratch. I shortened the depth of the case by about 5mm as this was unnecessary space, reduced the number of vent slots to improve overall strength, rebuilt the fan hole completely to adjust the screw hole sizes, changed the shape and location of the cable port, and added a few slots for a free-standing stand. There are now two versions - the 2040 has a bracket built on the left side to attach this to a 2040 rail (about 2mm up off the floor), and the "stand" version that does not have this support or it's corresponding holes. I also built a quick slide-in stand that should hold fine - it has M3 holes for a short nut and bolt if you want to lock it in.

NOTE: Removed old versions for clarity. Can be provided if requested.

Works great with the USB Hub mount I made as well!

Print Settings

Printer: Ender 3

Supports: Yes

Resolution: .2

Infill: 20

Filament: Hatchbox PLA Pure White

Notes:

The supports aren't doing so great on the first print of the case. Several came loose about 7 hours in (of 21) but I think the print may recover yet, due to overlapping with more structurally viable surfaces at higher layers. Maybe tree supports would work better if they can get better purchase on a flatter surface.

IMPORTANT: the monitor I bought (from a now de-listed Amazon link, but the same as all the other clones) does*not* have it's screen centered. The lamps for the screen are on the bottom and right of the display, so the bezel is slightly offset to correct for the left-right (which become up-down in use) direction. There is a 5mm gap at the top of the display and a 7.5mm gap at the bottom of the display, against the inner walls of the lid. This matters for assembly, as it will install either way but then the display will look even further out of alignment than it has to.

UPDATE: So I finally got around to printing the v06 and it works perfectly! Much more stable, printed with only two tiny little supports for the screw holes.