Raspberry Pi5 PCIE NVMe Case for 52Pi NVDAC HAT

Raspberry Pi5 PCIE NVMe Case for 52Pi NVDAC HAT

The case has been designed to house the 52Pi PCIe NVDAC HAT audio expansion board
mounted over the Pi 5 Active Cooler above the Pi 5.

The 52Pi hardware kit includes 4x M2.5 x 17 Brass standoff's, fixing screws and a Flex PCIe connector.
You will also need 4x M2.5 x15 Cap Head screws.

This is the assembly method I found best.
There is a picture showing the cross section in the downloads area which will help in seeing how the assembly fits together.

Position the reset button in the recess and secure with a piece of masking tape on the outside of the case.
First fix the standoff's to the underside of the HAT with the M2.5 screws.
Connect the Flex to the Pi's PCIE connector.
Position the HAT over the Pi and connect the Flex to the HAT.
(I routed the flex up above the PCIe connector so the excess does not contact the Active Cooler heatsink. See picture)
Holding the HAT and The Pi together as one, lower on to the standoff's in the 3D printed case.
Fix from the case underside with the M2.5 Cap Head screws through the case clearance holes and up into the brass standoff's.
(You may need to clear the holes with a 2.5mm drill bit)
The cap Head's will end up flush with the case bottom face due to the counter bores for each screw.

The wall thickness of 2.5mm allows for a small reset button which sits in a small square guide recess.
(Printed in PLA 0.10mm to get good definition).

If the button is printed in transparent PLA it will be illuminated by the LED behind on the PCB.
Don't forget to install it before fitting the Pi.

Similarly a small lens can be printed in transparent PLA and inserted into the 2x2 LED hole.

Two Top Covers have been provided, one with a GPIO pins slot and ventilation grille, the other with and open hole.
Running temperatures on my setup are as follows with 21C ambient, running Node Red and VNC Server.

57/58C with Grille Top Cover
52/53C with Open hole Top Cover.

The case is printed upright at 0.2mm PLA.
Supports being optional for the USB C and HDMI ports depending on your printer.

4x 8x4 Clear self adhesive silicone feet finish things off and stop it sliding around the desk.

Apologies for the large number of picture accompanying the upload but it helps show the model and variants better IMHO

Hope the helps someone.