October 30, 2022
Description
This design allows connecting Brother QL-800 label printer and Raspberry Pi 3 model B+ together making it one compact thing. It is meant for Pi-based print servers and automating label printing tasks.
The design consists of two objects: main part and label collector.
The main part is where the printer itself "sits" and what Raspberry Pi case is mounted to. It is meant to be used with popular Raspberry Pi case created by 0110-M-P. The case is connected to main part using four 2.9 x 13 mm sheet metal screws. The main part also contains holes for zip ties which hold Pi's USB power supply cable in its place. It is necessary to use USB cable with 90 degrees connector which connects to Raspberry Pi (classic straight one will not fit). I used Vention cable.
To connect Pi and QL-800 together I used Belkin 6 inch USB cable. Printer itself barely fits into its place (snug fit). If you prefer "loose fit" you can enlarge p_wid parameter in OpenSCAD file slightly.
Label collector is connected to main part using four 2 x 6 x 20 mm neodymium magnets (two magnets in the label collector and two in the main part). Magnets are "burried" inside objects. Use color change feature (M600 gcode) to pause the print to insert magnets. There is no need to glue magnets inside or something like that. Just be careful to use proper orientation of course.
Main part can be printed without supports.
Label collector does need supports.
Printed in PETG...
You can find detailed information about my project on my blog.
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution - Share Alike