Guided Tour
Introduction
This is a visual tour of an OmniBox. This page demonstrates:
- The core parts of OmniBox and their variations;
- Trays and panels; and
- How these pieces fit together.
Overview
The configuration in the image above will be our example in this guide. We will start with the Core components and move on to the trays and panels that make OmniBox so modular.
Links
Links on this site to external resources have prefix icons to identify what they do:
- The git icon is used for links to the OmniBox GitHub.
- identifies an example link to a shopping site.
Internal page links in this tour are marked with an arrow sign.
Core Components
Core components form the basis of every case. No end-user parts attach to core components. Instead, components are attached to trays and panels, which then mount on the Core case body.
Important
Most Core components come with the option of using heat set inserts for mounting commonly-removed panels and trays. These STL files have HSI in the name.
There are two types of Core components: Base and Main Body. A typical OmniBox build has two parts for the base and three for the main body. The Unified base can be printed instead of the front and rear pieces.
Main Body
Base
Front Base
This is the front of two base pieces that cover the power supply. There is a cutout for a 30mm x 11mm SPST switch in front, as well as air vents and optional 40mm fan mounts.
Rear Base
The back covers the rest of the power supply and mounts a fused IEC power plug.
This component is available with heat set inserts.
Unified Base
The base can be printed as a single piece instead of two on printers with a bed at least 300mm on one axis. The unified base replaces the rear and front pieces.
This component is available with heat set inserts.
Main Body
Main Body Crossbar
This is a crossbar that joins and covers the joint between the lids and front display.
Front Main Body
The front half of the Main Body mounts the display and front panel. It also has a side air intake that comes in one of two configurations.
This component is available with heat set inserts.
There are two versions of the front Main Body:
This version has a side vent with an internal mount for a 40mm fan.
This version requires the appropriate fan cage. Optionally, a TPU gasket can also be used with the fan cage.
Rear Main Body
The rear half of the Main Body is the largest single piece of the case and operates with two levels. The lower level has CPU and lower bay trays. The upper level mounts the MCU.
This component is available with heat set inserts.
There are two versions of the rear main body:
You will also need to print 40mm fan cages and (optionally) TPU gaskets for this variation.
This versions of the rear main body requires either rear panel or lid-mounted fans.
Trays
Trays are used for mounting parts internally. There are four (4) types of trays.
Templates are available in both STEP and Fusion 360 formats to add support for new products.
Note
PSU trays are a new feature and do not yet have a template.
Trays
PSU Tray
Power supply (PSU) trays slide up from underneath the case.
Large (tall) power supplies require the use of a base extension shim.
MCU Tray
Lower Bay Trays
The lower bay is an area to mount parts like buck converters and MOSFETs. There are four dedicated lower bay trays locations and two more that can occupy an unused CPU tray bay.
There are of these trays: Short and Long. A Long length tray covers the mount points of two Short trays and must be mounted from front to back of the case.
CPU Tray
The CPU tray is an optional mount for a Raspberry Pi or other SoC. There are two bays for CPU trays; one is on each side of the case.
An unused bay is replaced by a Side Panel. A short lower bay tray can also be installed in an unused CPU bay.
Panels
General Panels
Connector Panels
Panels cover the outside of OmniBox and mount of a range of options. Front, side, and rear panels are typically used for connectors, fans, and ventilation.
There is a blank STEP and Fusion 360 template for each panel category to allow users to create new panels.
Front Panel
The front panel serves as an air vent and location to put a MicroSD card reader extension. USB extensions are also a common accessory.
Side Panel
A side panel replaces a CPU tray and often mounts connectors or fans. A blank side panel can be used if necessary.
Bottom Panel
The bottom panels act as a cover for the underside of the case. A fully enclosed option is available to keep dust out.
Display Panel
This area mounts LCD displays, from the basic 128x64 character display to Raspbery Pi TFTs.
Lid(s)
The lid is both a way into your case and a configurable panel. There are two types of lids: short and long lids. You can either print one (1) long lid or two (2) short lids.
See the README in the GitHub folder for a list of supported configurations.
Rear Panel
The rear panel is used for ventilation, passing wiring out of your case, and optionally an additional fan. There are stock configurations available to suit common uses. A template is available for customization.
Rear panels with panel mounted connectors are an active area of work.
Other Components
Several other components deserve mention in this tour; not all of these are 3D printed parts.
Fans
Externally mounted fans use fan cages to cover the fan blades. There are a large number of fan sizes supported, each with a matching TPU fan gasket. The gaskets are optional and serve to reduce noise.
Internally mounted fans are also available, but are limited to 40mm fans.
Base Extensions
Larger power supplies require the addition of a base extension shim. This mounts between the base and the bottom panel.
Power Switch
OmniBox uses a common 30x11mm snap-in SPST rocker switch to turn on and off. This is the same switch found on many 3D printers, particularly Creality.
IEC C14 Power Socket
Power is provided through a standard fused IEC C14 power socket.
