# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/pi-box.md

# Pi Box

## Assembly

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/208/medium800/raspberry_pi_ID859_LRG.jpg?1396770007)

Keep your Raspberry Pi® computer safe and sound in this lovely laser-cut clear 1/8" acrylic enclosure. We designed this case to be beautiful, easy to assemble and perfect for any use (but especially for those who want to tinker!)

# Before you Begin…

The acrylic case clicks together, relying on the slight flexibility of the plastic in place of screws or other hardware.&nbsp; **DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING!** &nbsp;If flexed too hard, acrylic&nbsp;_will_&nbsp;break. All the pieces should assemble with minimal finger pressure. If a part is uncooperative, something is misaligned…back off and check your progress,&nbsp;_do not_&nbsp;press harder!

To accommodate manufacturing variance among boards, there’s a tiny bit of “play” in the case dimensions. The finished case will have a slight rattle to it. This is entirely normal, and the case will hold together fine.

# Assembly Procedure:

1. Remove the SD memory card and any cables currently plugged into your Raspberry Pi® board.  
  
2. One of the case ends has cutouts for USB and Ethernet. There’s a small part attached inside the Ethernet cutout — snap this out and set it aside for later. The ring of plastic separating this piece can be discarded.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/209/medium800/raspberry_pi_snap.jpg?1396770060)

3. Peel the protective backing from all parts:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/210/medium800/raspberry_pi_paper.jpg?1396770067)

With the paper removed, you’ll notice the four sides of the case have I/O ports labeled. This will help later to tell inside from out. Note especially the side with the HDMI port…if you find the case isn’t assembling right, it’s most often because this side is installed upside-down or inside-out.  
  
4. **Optional:** &nbsp;if using a ribbon cable to break out the GPIO pins, install this on the board first. The pin 1 stripe should be positioned nearest the SD card end of the board. The cable should go straight out the side, not double back on itself, and there is no clearance for a strain relief — remove it if present.  
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/211/medium800/raspberry_pi_ribbon.jpg?1396770071)

5. Position the first side of the case, with the Audio Out and Composite Video Out jacks. If you added a ribbon cable as in the prior step, slot the piece over that first.![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/212/medium800/raspberry_pi_side1.jpg?1396770079)

6.&nbsp;On the underside of the board, under the Ethernet jack, install the small spacer piece that was snapped out in Step 2.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/213/medium800/raspberry_pi_spacer.jpg?1396770082)

7.&nbsp;Position the bottom piece over the board, slotting it into the first side. There are no markings on the top or bottom piece — they are interchangeable and work in either orientation.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/214/medium800/raspberry_pi_bottom.jpg?1396770089)

8. Turn the board over and install the top piece in a similar fashion. Or you can optionally leave the top off for full access to the GPIO and JTAG headers and the ribbon cable connectors.  
  
9. Position the second side of the case (with the HDMI video port), slotting into the tabs on the top and bottom pieces. If this seems wobbly or lopsided, you might have this piece upside-down or inside-out. Check for the “HDMI” label and orient this correctly over the jack.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/215/medium800/raspberry_pi_side2.jpg?1396770093)

10.&nbsp;Install the first end of the case: slide the **top of the end piece over the two top hooks first** , then, using&nbsp; **very light pressure** , pivot the end piece downward over the bottom two hooks. It should click into place without difficulty. If you encounter ANY resistance, stop! Do not force this piece or you will break the plastic. Back off, check the alignment of the other pieces (especially the HDMI side), and try again. Gently. And remember, **top to bottom** — the other direction will break.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/216/medium800/raspberry_pi_hooks.jpg?1396770096)

11.&nbsp;Install the opposite end of the case using the same technique. Top to bottom.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/217/medium800thumb/raspberry_pi_hooks2.jpg?1448311064)

12. Insert the SD memory card, power and signal cables. That’s it, you’re good to go!  
  

# Disassembly:

To dismantle the case, remove the SD card and unplug all cables. Gently pinch the case to release the two lower “claws.” The end piece should pivot upward and can be unhooked at the top. Repeat with the opposite end piece, and the rest of the case then easily dismantles (don’t drop your Pi board in the process!).

# Resources:

- [Product page](http://www.adafruit.com/products/859).
- [Raspberry Pi® web site](http://www.raspberrypi.org/ "Link: http://www.raspberrypi.org/").
- [Adafruit customer support forum](http://forums.adafruit.com/viewforum.php?f=19 "Link: http://forums.adafruit.com/viewforum.php?f=19").

Raspberry Pi® is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.


## Primary Products

### Adafruit Pi Box -  Enclosure for Raspberry Pi Model A or B

[Adafruit Pi Box -  Enclosure for Raspberry Pi Model A or B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/859)
 **Discontinued** - you can grab&nbsp;[Adafruit Pi Box Plus - Enclosure for RasPi Model B+/Pi 2/ Pi 3](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1985) instead!&nbsp;

**We're still selling this classic Adafruit case for those who specifically want it but <a...></a...>**

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/859)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/859/guides)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit Assembled Pi Cobbler Breakout + Cable for Raspberry Pi

[Adafruit Assembled Pi Cobbler Breakout + Cable for Raspberry Pi](https://www.adafruit.com/product/914)
Now that you've finally got your hands on a [Raspberry Pi® Model B](http://www.raspberrypi.org/), you're probably itching to make some fun embedded computer projects with it. What you need is an add on prototyping Pi Cobbler from Adafruit, which can break out all those...

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### GPIO Ribbon Cable for Raspberry Pi Model A and B - 26 pin

[GPIO Ribbon Cable for Raspberry Pi Model A and B - 26 pin](https://www.adafruit.com/product/862)
That new Raspberry Pi® Model A or B computer you just got has a row of 2x13 pin headers soldered on - those are the GPIO (general purpose input/output) pins and for those of us who like to hack electronics they are where the real fun is. By programming the Pi, you can twiddle those pins...

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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/862/guides)

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