codetorment

A month ago I received my IGEPv2 platform from  ISEE

It’s a beagleboard clone with the exception that this version comes packed with a RJ45 10/100Mb ethernet connection, bluetooth and  802.11b/g wifi. Oh and the price is about the same as a beagleboard (it’s actually cheaper then a BB when you opt for the non-wifi version).

Here are some specs from the ISEE website:

• TI OMAP35x pin compatible family multicore processor
• ARM CORTEX A8 core
• DSP TMS320C64x+ core
• POWERVR SGX 530 core (OpenGL® ES 2.0, OpenGL® ES 1.0 , OpenVG)
• IVA2.2 (Video Hardware Accelerators)
• DDR RAM plus NAND Flash Package on Package (PoP) memories (on OMAP chip)
• Linux BSP available (Board Support Package)
• Ethernet 10/100 Mb BaseT.
• Wifi IEEE 802.11b/g + Bluetooth 2.0 (Integrated antenna).
• Compatibility with a huge collection of USB peripherals including hubs, keyboards, mice, web cameras, and much more.
• MicroSD connector.
• DVI-D for connecting digital computer monitors.
• Stereo audio in and out for a microphone and headphones or speakers.
• Expansion connector with I/O, SPI, UART…
• Expansion connector with access LCD lines.
• Wall plug 5 Vdc or JST input.
• RS-485 Transceiver.
• 2 ADC : 1 and 3 MSP/s.
• Temperature Range: -40 to +80º C.
• EMI and EMC precertificate. CE compliant.

Did I mention it’s really small? As in ‘Djeez that sure is really small!’.

I’ve mounted the IGEPv2 board on a lego structure to make (dis)connecting cables a bit easier and to prevent static discharges of causing any mayhem. The mounting holes in the pcb are spaced equal to the offset in the lego beams so there was no need for drilling or hotglue.

Of course this is just fine for use on your desktop but rather useless when trying to protect your precious board from the (or atleast some) elements. So I wanted an affordable case. ISEE sells a housing for 15EUR, but as I forgot to order one when ordering the board, the price of shipping about doubles that figure, crossing it from the list of options. Specialcomp has a housing for $29 making it even less of an option.

Borglabs has a cool tutorial on how to hack a $5 soap box to make an enclosure. This is definitely the best value for money you’ll get.

I liked the specialcomp acrylic housing but disliked the pricetag. So I deciced to make my own. I fired up sketchup and looked for a model of the IGEP board in the store, none were found. So as any sensible human being would do, instead of just using a box with some holes as a mockup, I had to draw the thing myself.

Some renders of the 3D-model:

Most of the parts were just downloaded from the store and I don’t take any credit for them. I just wanted a 3D model where connector positions were accurate enough to design a case.

The model is on a 1/1 scale and the .kmz file can be downloaded here : igepv2_revB_board

I’m getting some errors uploading the model to the sketchup store but I’ll post a link when it’s done.

Only thing left to do now is design a case. And when I have a few spare moments, I will.

So watch out for a future post with a 3D model of a case and probably some instructions on how to reproduce and assemble one yourself.