The Opportunity

GTT Wireless received an interesting request from one of our Global partners, Farnell UK.

‘Design a lightweight mounting board to secure a range of Raspberry Pi PCBs and ‘Top Hat’ module boards within the GTTW m-Smart and p-Smart Box outdoor IP67/NEMA6 rated electronic enclosures’

As we delved further into the requirements, several challenges became clear.

GTTW Design Engineer Richard Sharples explains…

“There are three initial aspects to consider when developing the design:

• Raspberry Pi has three series, all in different shapes and sizes. 
• Depending on the series and generation, the boards have a variety of cellular connectivity ‘Top Hat’ solutions, aimed at connecting the Raspberry Pi boards to the outside world, all of which must be accommodated. 

          … Add the necessity to mount PCBs in differently sized GTTW enclosures,
         and a single flexible platform design becomes ideal- allowing one fixture to
        hold any Raspberry Pi, device.”

 Given Richard’s comments, it quickly became clear that this was a complex problem.

Managing Director, Andy Bird said…

“Our commitment lies in fostering the upcoming engineers, and I knew of Oakham School as a forward-thinking local independent school with a strong emphasis on engineering and design technology initiatives. They recently were awarded the ‘Most Innovative Award’ for their contribution to an Industrial Cadet Gold Project which gave me an idea”

GTT Wireless contacted Chris Edwards, Design & Technology teacher at Oakham School, who led the Industrial Cadet Gold Project and proposed a collaboration on the Farnell / Raspberry Pi board design project as a true engineering challenge to be met with practical real-world implications.

‘Proof of Concept’ Challenge 2024 begins

GTT Wireless visited Oakham’s Jerwood School of Design to evaluate their facilities.  The school’s investments in 3D CAD software and several 3D printers sparked further enthusiasm and he proposed an engineering design challenge based on GTT Wireless’s recent customer requirements for mounting PCBs in our enclosures.

Three First Year A Level Students embraced the challenge presented by Chris Edwards and set about finding a way to create a viable proof of concept. The aim was to allow multiple iterations of any design to be quickly produced and tested in various outdoor enclosures.

The Oakham School Team had to brainstorm solutions, decide which ones were worth prototyping, learn to use the 3D CAD system, make samples on a 3D printer, test the samples, redesign as necessary, retest, and finally select the most promising design for 3D proof-of-concept development and presentation to the GTTW team.

The Concept Development

After some initial sketches and discussions, the students devised three broad ideas.

1. The ‘Zip’ Concept – using a flexible toothed mount to secure various shapes and sizes of PCB.
2. The ‘Sliding Wedge’ Concept – incorporating a series of rotating wedges to secure PCBs in place.
3. The ‘Pop Out’ Concept – 2-in-1 clip mounting board – which became the chosen design

 

The concepts were printed and trialled, underwent several iterations to ensure that a full range of PCBs could be securely affixed to the mounting boards, and they fitted inside both sizes of enclosure.

The Pop Out Concept involves two mounting boards: a small mount with various fixing clips to hold a range of smaller PCBs; and a larger mount for larger PCBs. The two boards themselves can be clipped together to create a flexible fixture suitable for either size of enclosure, and the full range of Raspberry Pi PCBs.

The Solution – Proof of Concept

GTT Wireless revisited to review the prototype results and were extremely impressed with not only the ideas, but also the speed, creativity, and quality demonstrated by the students.

Supported by GTT Wireless and their design teacher, Chris Edwards at Oakham School – Jack, Gabriele and Freddy have delivered a proof-of-concept design which is both practical and worthy of further consideration for further development into a prototype to fit the GTT m-Smart Box.

What’s Next?

The positive outcome of this project has inspired GTT Wireless and Oakham School to continue to explore additional collaborative opportunities.  Over the next few months, they will be considering prototyping solutions to enhance support for the Raspberry Pi range, including integrating solar-powered devices into enclosure lids.  

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