Fractal Design Releases 3D Printing Files for Project: North Pi, a Raspberry Pi Case

[AleksandarK]

Fractal Design has released the 3D printing files for their highly sought-after Raspberry Pi case, dubbed Project: North Pi. The tiny case, which caused a sensation at this year's Computex trade show, can now be produced by anyone with access to a 3D printer. The Project: North Pi case first caught the public's eye during Fractal Design's product launch at Computex, where it was used as a playback device alongside a mini computer. Its diminutive size and sleek design, reminiscent of the company's North series, quickly captured the imagination of attendees and media alike. The case's popularity even threatened to overshadow Fractal Design's other new products, including the Mood ITX case, Refine office chair, and Scape headset. Following the overwhelmingly positive response, Fractal Design has decided to share the case's design with the public.

The company has published a dedicated product page containing free downloadable files and comprehensive instructions for 3D printing the case at home. The Project: North Pi case consists of 17 components (11 unique parts) and measures a compact 105 × 50 × 96 mm size. Despite its tiny nature, the case includes space for up to two 40 mm fans behind its front panels, ensuring adequate cooling for the Raspberry Pi. This move by Fractal Design caters to the DIY community and represents a shift in how companies might approach product distribution in the future. By embracing 3D printing technology, Fractal Design has effectively turned its customers into manufacturers, potentially changing the way enthusiasts interact with and customize their tech accessories. As the 3D printing community eagerly begins to produce their own Project: North Pi cases, we wait to see different color combinations and use cases from enthusiasts.



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[bonehead123]

Fractal Design has effectively turned its customers into manufacturers

Exactly, and except for the drafting folk who create the files & an IT person or 2 to upload them to their servers, they have almost zero costs, but still get to get their products out to market...and therefore, they will probably charge nearly as much for the plans as they do the case itself

Although, I do like the design overall, just not the slimy ethics of it...booooo

 

[P4-630]

But I like the design of that little case though!..

 

[Zareek]

Exactly, and except for the drafting folk who create the files & an IT person or 2 to upload them to their servers, they have almost zero costs, but still get to get their products out to market...and therefore, they will probably charge nearly as much for the plans as they do the case itself

Although, I do like the design overall, just not the slimy ethics of it...booooo

The article says they are offering them as a free download...

The company has published a dedicated product page containing free downloadable files and comprehensive instructions for 3D printing the case at home.

 

[Patriot]

The article says they are offering them as a free download...

TBF, he did name himself bonehead.

 

[Chomiq]

Fantastic move from Fractal Design, kudos to them!

 

[bonehead123]

The article says they are offering them as a free download...

Yea, for NOW....

 

[Double-Click]

It's adorable!

 

[Arco]

Yea, for NOW....

I'm lost.

What goes on the internet for free stays free. As these are design files, if they ever started charging for them you would 100% find them easily elsewhere.

I don't see the problem here and it's not like its morally worse or better for them to actually sell it.

 

[Exynos]

Exactly, and except for the drafting folk who create the files & an IT person or 2 to upload them to their servers, they have almost zero costs, but still get to get their products out to market...and therefore, they will probably charge nearly as much for the plans as they do the case itself

Although, I do like the design overall, just not the slimy ethics of it...booooo

I'm so confused by this comment. The files are free and currently available. I just downloaded the and opened them in Cura. Am I missing something?

Yea, for NOW....

So your saying they have slimy ethics because of your made up assumption they will charge for files of a product that its not worth them making?

 

[trsttte]

Exactly, and except for the drafting folk who create the files & an IT person or 2 to upload them to their servers, they have almost zero costs, but still get to get their products out to market...and therefore, they will probably charge nearly as much for the plans as they do the case itself

Although, I do like the design overall, just not the slimy ethics of it...booooo

They could absolutely sell these plans and it would be completely ethical to do so, they spent company resources doing this and if it has a value it has a price. Even the simple hosting has a cost.

Now, as the old adage goes, the market will price what the market can bear. You can easily go over to printables.com and get a dozen different raspberry pi cases for free, heck you probably can even find recreations of this one, so the plan couldn't be more than 5$ or 10$ which is itself not too different than the price of any raspberry pi case, but then again, if you like it that much you should be willing to pay for it

 

[JWNoctis]

Not bad, for a case clearly meant to draw attention to its larger cousin. Woodworking skills not included.

 

[PLAfiller]

Pretty cool is understatement. I mean credit is due where credit is due. It's not free for Fractal, someone with CAD skills took the time to design (which in itself includes a LOT), test it, save it for 3d printing. Also we got bill of materials (BOM) and instructions for assembly. I mean this thing will probably get remixed and re-mastered out in the open by other people as well. If it's marketing, done the right way if you ask me.

 

[Zareek]

Yea, for NOW....

Apparently, Fractal wronged you at some point, or perhaps they are engaging in some less than savory business practices that I have not heard about? I think, even if they turn around and start charging for the plans, it will be out in the wild already and easily gotten for free.

 

[Patriot]

They could absolutely sell these plans and it would be completely ethical to do so, they spent company resources doing this and if it has a value it has a price. Even the simple hosting has a cost.

Now, as the old adage goes, the market will price what the market can bear. You can easily go over to printables.com and get a dozen different raspberry pi cases for free, heck you probably can even find recreations of this one, so the plan couldn't be more than 5$ or 10$ which is itself not too different than the price of any raspberry pi case, but then again, if you like it that much you should be willing to pay for it

I ended up with a bambu labs printer after an internal debate over opensource vs closed source designs... and I came to the conclusion that if I am not paying prusa for his contributions than I am not truly helping anyways... either someone's work is worth it or not.

 

[Ruru]

Nice, they actually made these available as people suspected this.