Looking into the Pi’s options, when it comes to robotics, has been interesting. I will, shortly, be adding a project to this site that brings my love of robots into focus. For now, I am seeing what options there are the go beyond the scope of the EV3 from Lego Mindstorms. I have owned a Pi Model B, for many years, and when booted up, it is very slow and cumbersome. So, in the even that one day I get a modern Pi, which right now is the Pi 5, I have settled for a used Pi 3+, to get me started in the modern(ish) ideals that these little computers can bring. I have a casing for the old board, but this one was a naked Pi, with not a leg to stand on! So…what do I do in this situation? Make some, of course!
I decided that I should raise the Pi 3+ up, so that I could sit it on the desk whilst I play about with the digital inards. This also allows my to add to the pins so that I can make controls for the components I am looking to add. I was surprised by the added chip-fan that was already attached to it, I do not believe this was standard, and had been added in its previous life. The design of the stand was quite simple. The fixing holes meant that the foot needed to run further out, on one side. The end result is very stable, and I just used machine screws to fasten the board onto the top of the legs.
From the base’s oblong shape, I created a few bits that jut out from the sides. I then created duplicate circles on each corner, where I then extruded them upwards. I used the measuring grid to make sure that the legs were in the correct places for the board’s holes. This was very slightly out, but not enough to stop it from attaching with little fuss. Overall, I was really happy with what I drummed up in less than ten minutes. The printer took about an hour and a half to make it, taking time to add a layer of leg, in a rectangular rotation. Just thought I’d share this with you. The model file can be found here.
