# Case for Circuit Playground ## 3D Printing ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/267/medium800/circuit_playground_hero-table-angle.jpg?1507913983) ## 3D Printed Case Are you looking for a way to protect your shiny new Circuit Playground? A 3D printed case can make it easy to keep your board safe and sound. You can mount the case to anything and embed it into other objects for quick projects. ## The Shapes Edition This is a series of 3D printed cases designed to house a Circuit Playground, battery and switch. Three different shapes can be used for different applications. The board appears recessed allowing the NeoPixels to have a wider spread of light. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/266/medium800/circuit_playground_hero-frontal.jpg?1507913968) ## Slim and Accessible The Circuit Playground is exposed, allowing the buttons and sensors to be accessible for interaction and hooking up other components. A port opening allows a microUSB port for programming and powering. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/270/medium800/circuit_playground_hero-basic-crop.jpg?1507914108) ## Snap Fit Design Each case features a "locking" cover that snap fits shut when the nubs on the inner edges mate with indentations on the lip. Cutouts allow cables to plugin to the various connector ports. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/268/medium800/circuit_playground_hero-table-overhead.jpg?1507914000) ## Prerequisite Guides If your new to electronics and the _Adafruit Circuit Playground_, I suggest you walk through the following guides to get the basics. The Adafruit Circuit Playground guide will walk you through setting it up. - [Collin's Lab – Soldering](../../../collins-lab-soldering/learn-more?view=all) - [JST Slide Switch Adapter](../../../../on-slash-off-switches/overview) - [Circuit Playground Classic](../../../../introducing-circuit-playground) - [Circuit Playground Express](../../../../adafruit-circuit-playground-express) ## 3D Printing Services Don't own a 3D Printer? Download the STL files and upload them to [3D Hubs](https://3dhubs.com/) to order the parts from a local maker and have them shipped to you. You can also search for local hacker/maker spaces for getting access to a 3D printer. ![circuit_playground_case-parts.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/271/medium640/circuit_playground_case-parts.jpg?1507914914) ## CURA Slice Settings Here's a screenshot of the settings used to 3D print the top and bottom halves of the case. To get the most accurate tolerances for the snap fit features, you'll want to adjust your slice settings accordingly. The parts were tested with PLA filament, other materials that have more shrinkage such as ABS or Nylon may have different tolerances. ![circuit_playground_slice-settings.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/304/medium640/circuit_playground_slice-settings.png?1507989234) [Download STLs](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/129/990/original/stls.zip?1715620881) [Download CAD Source Files](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/129/989/original/CPX_Case.zip?1715620847) ## Parts and Supplies You want to use machine screws (sized M3 x .45 x 5mm) to secure the Circuit Playground to the case. If you'd like to add a battery, you can make a slide switch adapter to easily power it on and off. ![circuit_playground_parts.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/272/medium640/circuit_playground_parts.jpg?1507915094) ### Part: M3 Hardware Screws quantity: 2 M3 x .5 x 5mm metric Phillips flat head machine screws [M3 Hardware Screws](https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/3-MM-x-5-Phillips-Flat-Head-Machine-Screw-p/1011-1006.htm) ### Part: 500mAh Battery quantity: 1 Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh [500mAh Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578) ### Part: Slide Switch quantity: 1 Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch [Slide Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805) ### Part: Battery Extension Cable quantity: 1 JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm [Battery Extension Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1131) ### Part: Mounting Putty Tack quantity: 1 Loctite Fun-Tak Mounting Putty 2-Ounce [Mounting Putty Tack](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F57ZPW/) ## Fusion 360 Archive If you'd like to make changes or upgrades to the 3d model, you can download the fusion 360 archives in many different formats such as STEP, SAT, Solidworks, Sketchup and more! [Square Case](http://a360.co/2ynUkse) [Circular Case](http://a360.co/2kNz8ai) [Hexagonal Case](http://a360.co/2wVrdsW) # Case for Circuit Playground ## Assembly ## JST Slide Switch Adapter You'll want to fashion your own slide switch adapter so it's easy to disconnect the battery when it gets low. The switch can stay put in the case while the battery is removed for recharging. Follow our [guide for a tutorial](../../../../on-slash-off-switches/overview) on how to make your own. ![circuit_playground_jst-info.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/285/medium640/circuit_playground_jst-info.jpg?1507917480) [How To DIY Slide Switch Adapter](https://learn.adafruit.com/on-slash-off-switches/overview) ## Install Switch You'll want to insert the switch into the holder at a 45 degree angle while pressing down. The body of the switch should have a snug fit with the holder. ![circuit_playground_switch-holder.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/214/medium640/circuit_playground_switch-holder.jpg?1507913687) ## Installed Switch Arrange the wires inside the case so the cabling is neatly laid out. The JST connectors can be oriented to match up with the ports on the Circuit Playground. ![circuit_playground_switch-installed.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/265/medium640/circuit_playground_switch-installed.jpg?1507913726) ## Tack Battery Stick small pieces of mounting putty onto the surface of the lipo battery. This will keep the battery secured underneath the Circuit Playground and prevent it from rattling inside the case. ![circuit_playground_bat-tack.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/278/medium640/circuit_playground_bat-tack.jpg?1507916387) ## Install Battery Plugin the JST cable from the battery to the connector on the slide switch. Place the battery in the center of the case and press down to set the mounting tack.  ![circuit_playground_bat-installed.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/279/medium640/circuit_playground_bat-installed.jpg?1507916418) ## Connect Circuit Playground Plugin the male JST connector from the slide switch to the port on the Circuit Playground. You'll want to keep the wiring from getting tangled, so keep adjusting the cabling until they're nice and neat. ![circuit_playground_cp-switch-plugin.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/281/medium640/circuit_playground_cp-switch-plugin.jpg?1507916482) ## Mount Board Place the Circuit Playground board over the four standoffs with the micro USB port facing the opening on the side of the case. Line up the mounting holes with the holes on the board. While holding the board down, insert and fasten machine screws until fully tight. ![circuit_playground_cp-screws.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/282/medium640/circuit_playground_cp-screws.jpg?1507916511) ## Install Cover Inspect the wiring and adjust the cabling as necessary. Orient the cover so the larger opening is lined up with the micro USB port on the Circuit Playground. Place the cover on top of the case and firmly press down until it clicks into place.  ![circuit_playground_cp-installed.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/283/medium640/circuit_playground_cp-installed.jpg?1507916538) ## Make, Remix and Share Please post and share your Circuit Playground case! You can use the 3D model as a starting point to make upgrades or tweaks.  ![circuit_playground_case-top-view.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/284/medium640/circuit_playground_case-top-view.jpg?1507916565) ## Recharging Battery When the battery gets low, you can use [the Adafruit Micro Lipo Charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304) to recharge over USB. It's so small and handy you can keep it in the case! ![circuit_playground_micro-lipo-charger.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/047/287/medium640/circuit_playground_micro-lipo-charger.jpg?1507917832) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Classic [Circuit Playground Classic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3000) Would you like to learn electronics, with an all-in-one board that has sensors and LEDs built in? **Circuit Playground** is here - and it's the best way to practice programming on real hardware with no soldering or sewing required! This is the **Classic**... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3000) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3000/guides) ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides) ### Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch [Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805) These nice switches are perfect for use with breadboard and perfboard projects. They have 0.1" spacing and snap in nicely into a solderless breadboard. They're easy to switch no matter what size fingers you have, but not so easy that they'll get flipped by accident. Work great as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/805) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/805/guides) ## Related Guides - [Introducing Circuit Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-circuit-playground.md) - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Circuit Playground Minecraft Gesture Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitplayground-minecraft-gesture-controller.md) - [Jellyfish Umbrella with easy WLED WiFi Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/jellyfish-umbrella-with-easy-wled-wifi-control.md) - [Simon Game Clone with Circuit Playground Express and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/simon-game-clone-with-circuitplayground-express-and-circuitpython.md) - [Sword & Wand Prop Effects with Circuit Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/sword-and-wand-prop-effects-with-circuit-playground.md) - [Using EduBlocks with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-edublocks-with-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Mu Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheets](https://learn.adafruit.com/mu-keyboard-shortcut-cheat-sheets.md) - [Glowing Neopixel Resin River Table](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-neopixel-resin-river-table.md) - [Buttermilk Boat with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/boat-with-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Crickit Controlled Animatronic Eyeball](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-controlled-animatronic-eyeball.md) - [CPU Temperature Logging with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpu-temperature-logging-with-circuit-python.md) - [Circuit Playground + CircuitPython Quickstart Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-circuitpython-5-minute-guide.md) - [Circuit Playground Hourglass](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-hourglass.md) - [Halloween Sentry-Bot with CRICKIT for CPX](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-sentry-bot.md) - [The Scream: Interactive Screaming Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/the-scream-munch-screaming-interactive-scream-painting.md) - [Living Starry Night Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-starry-night-circuit-playground-express.md)