HC4 alternative enclosure

[ChriO]

Hi
I was looking for an alternative enclosure for the HC4 and found the "HC4-P Transformation KIT"
Two problems with it: I don't need space for 3.5" drives, and the second and more important one: over 60 US$ to get it to Europe. Plus VAT I would have to pay here, in total ~ US$ 72.
I guess the drawings of this Transformation Kit are not Open Source, so one could modify them and let somebody laser-cut such a thing.
I saw a project for a 3D-printer but it is another (and nicer! ) toaster one which for certain reasons I would like to avoid.
The self-made constructs I currently use are not enclosures, just "open air" , the 2.5" SSDs are laying below the board.
Just to minimize the risk of breaking a SATA connector on the board by pushing/poking a disk.

Any idea anyone?
@HK wouldn't it be an option to provide a HC4-P Transformation KIT Lite? No fan, no cables, just the enclosure? In 2.5" size as well
And how about CAD drawings?

Thanks
Chris

[L67GS]

Did you see hominoid's thread in 3D printed DIY cases? Perhaps a local service could print something more to your liking cost effectively?
I just made an N2l case with his project....
viewtopic.php?f=53&t=43948

[mctom]

I guess the drawings of this Transformation Kit are not Open Source, so one could modify them and let somebody laser-cut such a thing.

I'm guessing this kit is made similarly to H3 cases, which are copper plated fiberglass-epoxy composite (essentially PCBs). There's a very slim chance you'd find a laser cut service that stocks materials of the same thickness, I'm guessing 1.6 - 1.7mm.
And with a different thickness you'll have problems trying to fit the parts together.

That may be a part of the reason why the CAD files are not public - because:
- The design is not reproducible by hobbyists (unless you want to spend way more money at JLCPCB for that)
- The original design files are probably in KiCAD or Altium format, and exported to Gerbers (not very useful for laser cutting)
- It would only serve counterfeit production

[L67GS]

IDK, we got a HK one for H3+ and it just feels like plastic, maybe phenolic. The hominoid alternatives are much thicker and more aesthetically pleasing too. Not to knock a HK product, because I'm all about Odroid, but they really could step up their case game.

[mctom]

I have H3+ Case 2, and that's definitely PCBs with black solder mask, white silkscreen and standard 1.6mm core. Look at those port names etched in copper.
Yes you made me go and measure the thickness (1.65mm with copper and soldermasks, sounds about right).
(also each part has a small order number, which is a common practice among PCB manufacturers)

But I do agree a case from hominoid is a way to go. Nothing compares to customized H3+ case with RS232 port and 60mm side mounted Noctua, and custom honeycomb vents.

[hominoid]

...And how about CAD drawings?

Thanks
Chris

Use a photo copier and/or scanner and one of the many raster tracing applications to convert to dxf. Or, bring the raster file directly into LibreCAD and use heads-up digitizing to produce dxf file.

[odroid]

We have no plan to make another HC4 case due to very low demands.
We will upload the HC4-P drawings in DXF format in a few days and post a link here.

[odroid]

We've just uploaded the HC4-P case drawings.
https://wiki.odroid.com/odroid-hc4/hard ... odroid-hc4