adafruit learning system Bone Box User manual

Bone Box
Created by Phillip Burgess
Last updated on 2013-06-19 12:30:28 PM EDT

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Guide Contents
Guide Contents
Preparation
Parts List
Before assembly…
Assembly
1: Attach BeagleBone to Base Plate
2: Assemble Case Sides
3: Install Board in Case
Access
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 2 of 10

Preparation
Pack up your Beagle Bone in this lovely clear plastic case. We designed this case to be the
ideal enclosure, with plenty of elegant details to make it useful to you!
There's plenty of space inside to add on one of our Beagle Bone Proto Capes with components
or connectors soldered on. Fits any Beagle Bone version out there - but not BeagleBoards!
Parts List
The kit includes the following items:
Six (6) laser-cut acrylic pieces.
Eight (8) 1/2" #4-40 machine screws.
Eight (8) #4-40 steel nuts.
Four (4) 3/16" nylon spacers.
Not included with the kit, you will also need:
BeagleBone single board computer.
Small screwdriver.
Optional: tape.
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 3 of 10

Before assembly…
Peel the backing paper off the acrylic parts.
Remove Proto Cape, if installed.
Remove microSD card.
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 4 of 10

Assembly
1: Attach BeagleBone to Base Plate
Insert 4 screws into the BeagleBone's corner mounting holes:
Flip the board over, using fingers and thumb to hold the screws in place. If this is a dexterity
challenge, the screws can also be held with tape:
Slide a nylon spacer over each of the four screws. VERY IMPORTANT: Use ONLY the
spacers included with the kit. DO NOT use wider standoffs or spacers in their
place, and SUPER ESPECIALLY DO NOT use hex-nuts as a makeshift
standoff/spacer. The compo nent clearances on the BeagleBone are very close,
and using the wrong spacers could result in components being crushed!
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 5 of 10

Slide the base plate over the screws, coming to rest on the spacers. There's a specific
orientation for the base plate: one of the four alignment studs is smaller than the others — this
should be positioned closest to the USB client port.
Install four nuts and gently tighten each screw.
You can now reinstall the proto cape, if using one.
2: Assemble Case Sides
The case is held together using "T-slot" construction. Holding one of the side pieces, insert a
nut into the cross part of the "T" (tape can again provide a temporary hold if needed).
Position one of the end pieces over the alignment studs, then insert a screw through the
corresponding hole for the nut. Tighten with gentle finger pressure for now.
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 6 of 10

Install the second side piece using the same technique, then repeat with the opposite end face
plate, making sure the "up" orientation is the same. It's okay if the box isn't perfectly square at
this stage.
3: Install Board in Case
Loosen, but do not completely remove, the two screws on the front face plate. The tip of
the screw should be flush with the face of the nut. The face plate can then pivot with just
enough clearance for the alignment studs:
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 7 of 10

Insert the BeagleBone base plate into the case by inserting the alignment studs into the back
face, then pivot the board into place and press the front face flush.
Now tip the face plate in the opposite direction and install the case top in a similar fashion. Align
the hole in the top face with the reset button on the BeagleBone (once sealed, this is accessed
with a paper clip or small screwdriver). Or you can choose to keep the top cover off, if you'll
need frequent access to the BeagleBone or cape.
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 8 of 10

Press the front face flush again and tighten all the screws. Acrylic is brittle, so don't crank these
down too hard – finger pressure plus 1/8 turn is sufficient. Insert the microSD card (make sure it
goes into the card slot, NOT loose in the case!). Bingo…you're done!
© Adafruit Industries http://learn.adafruit.com/bone-box Page 9 of 10

Access
To access the board or cape later, it's not necessary to rewind this entire process — most of
the parts can be left in place! Just loosen the front case screws 1/8", tip the front face back and
pivot the case upward:
© Adafruit Industries Last Updated: 2013-06-19 12:30:30 PM EDT Page 10 of 10