Ever finished a Raspberry Pi Compute Module project only to realize the case is blocking the very GPIO pins you need? A maker known as Rasmussen shared a fix on MakerWorld: a redesigned enclosure for the Waveshare CM4 IO board that finally leaves those pins wide open. It is a small print with a big quality-of-life payoff, and it is a great first "functional part" if you are new to 3D printing.
The Compute Module 4 is the credit-card-sized "brain" version of the Raspberry Pi, meant to slot into a carrier board like the Waveshare CM4 IO board. That combo is popular for home servers, retro handhelds, and camera rigs. The catch with many off-the-shelf cases is that they seal everything up, so the 40-pin GPIO header, the row of connectors that lets you wire in sensors, buttons, and LEDs, ends up trapped inside. This redesign opens a clean cutout so you can plug into the header without cracking the case back open.
Cooling is the other clever touch. The Compute Module 4 can run warm under load, and hot chips throttle themselves to stay safe, which quietly slows your project down. This case builds in a 40mm fan that pulls air across the top of the board, pushes it around the sides, and vents it out the bottom. That steady flow keeps temperatures down so the Pi holds its speed during long jobs.
Printing it is beginner-friendly. Download the model files from MakerWorld, slice them in software like your printer's recommended slicer, and print in PLA for a first attempt or PETG if the case will sit somewhere warm. No supports are usually needed for well-designed enclosures, and a 0.2mm layer height gives a clean finish. After printing, you snap the board in, add a standard 40mm fan and a few screws, and you are done.
Try it on your printer. A functional enclosure like this is the perfect confidence-builder because you can hold the result and immediately use it. If you want more beginner-friendly builds, filament tips, and printer guides, browse the full library over at Flarelab and pick your next weekend project.
Frequently asked questions
What filament should I use for a Raspberry Pi case?
PLA is the easiest choice for a first print and works fine indoors. If the case will sit in a warm spot or near heat, PETG handles higher temperatures without softening.
Do I need a fan for the Compute Module 4?
For light tasks you can get away without one, but the CM4 runs warm under sustained load. The built-in 40mm fan mount keeps it cool so the Pi does not throttle and slow down.
Why does GPIO access matter?
The GPIO header is how you connect sensors, buttons, and LEDs to the Pi. A case that blocks it forces you to reopen the enclosure every time, so an open cutout makes real projects far easier.
Do I need supports to print this enclosure?
Most well-designed cases print without supports at a 0.2mm layer height. Always preview the model in your slicer first to confirm there are no steep overhangs.
Inspired by a community build shared by Rasmussen on MakerWorld, spotted via Adafruit's #3DThursday. Rewritten and expanded by Flarelab. Original source.
Originally published at flarelab.com.
