What is it?

McPiFace is a front panel for a Raspberry Pi that can be used with a 19" rack system, allowing you to neatly organise up-to 10 Raspberry Pi's into a 2U 19" rack space with a professional finish.

This is part of the McPiFace series of front panels, see my Tindie store for more McPiFace panels, including a status board and a panel for audio HATs - as shown in the rack photos).

Options:

Pi Version:

Select Pi 3 to fit the Raspberry Pi version 2 or 4, and Pi 4 for the new Raspberry Pi 4 where the USB and Ethernet socket have swapped places. NOTE: The Pi 4 version is now a matt black colour compared to the Pi 3 version.

Sled:

This is needed to hold the Raspberry Pi. It can be added to the order or easily 3D printed (thing:3488157) if you have a 3D printer.

This is available in two options: PLA: This is more resilient to attaching options (M2.5 screw or M3 self tapper) but may warp in hot racks. PET: Less likely to warp but may crack if the front panel screws are over tightened.

LEDs + Button Kit:

Reverse mount LEDs, button, connector and connecting cable can also be added and connected to the Pi's GPIO pins. This is available in 3 options:

• Not soldered for those that enjoy fiddly soldering.
• Soldered (Not Button) - everything soldered except the button
• Soldered (Inc Button) - everything is soldered, including the button on the front.

Why did you make it?

I wanted a way to rack mount my raspberry pi's with HATS on them. Most Pi enclosures don't allow space for HATS, let along possible connectors required for the HATS, and once you've got a few Pi's it all starts to get messy.

This is a PCB version of the 3D printable front panels thing:1793758 and thing:2759317, they're great but I wanted something a bit more rigid that wasn't at risk of flexing due to temperature (its in my rack mount system in my loft which gets hot!), as well as a secure way to hold the LEDs.

What makes it special?

• There are very few rack mount systems for the Raspberry Pi. This makes it easy to add up-to 10 raspberry Pi's into a 2U 19" rack space.
• This panel allows space for a HAT to be attached to the Pi (i.e. the POE hat as shown in the photos) - not something a lot of enclosures allow for.
• A silk screen area on the panel allows for writing (or a label) details of the raspberry pi (i.e. host name or IP address).
• Optional: 2 reverse mount LEDs and a push button that can be connected to the Pi to show status (red/green) and be used to shutdown / reboot the pi.
• The 3D Printed sled holds the Raspberry Pi is held securely with 4 countersunk screws (M2.5).
• The sled is secured to the panel by means of M2.5 screws or M3 self tappers (don't use on PET 3D print as it cracks).
• Open Source! Eagle PCB files can be downloaded from the github repository and the sled can be 3D printed.

The rack mound modular system (DAP Audio 2 HE Rackblende f. Modulsystem 10 Segmente MP-1 ) can be purchased directly from MusicStore.de

Their is also a a range of accessories, such as XLR connector and power panels from the same people.

Note: An acrylic laser cuttable version of the rack modular system and 3D printable tower enclosure will be available soon - Keep an eye on the GitHub project and Thingiverse if you wish.

For a full system you'll need:

• 1x McPiFace front panel
• 1x Screw kit (4x M2.5 countersunk machine screws + nuts, 2x M2.5 machine screws)
• 1x Sled (buy or print your own)
• Optional: 1x LED + Button kit
• The 19" DAP Audio frame
• A 19" rack case
• Probably a Raspberry Pi as well :-)

Note: McPiFace does NOT include the Raspberry Pi, POE HAT or the modulsystem. The basic option is the PCB front panel only, please add additional items as you need to make the system.