PiMech Deck

by Rich / Brickbots · Hard · manifest draft — being verified

A Raspberry Pi Zero W cyberdeck with a hinged 7-inch display, a 36-key Choc keyboard, an internal USB hub and a 4,500mAh battery.

Brickbots built PiMech around a laser-cut steel spine with segmented printed enclosures, keeping the machine thin while allowing it to fold closed. The repository includes a BOM, hand-wiring notes, build guidance, printable case parts and the plate drawing.

Original: github.com, github.com, github.com

Parts

Qty	Part	Buy
1×	Raspberry Pi Zero W The source BOM names the original Pi Zero W.	PiShop.us Amazon (budget)
1×	Adafruit DPI Kippah LCD interface Exact Adafruit product 2454 linked in the BOM.	Adafruit
1×	Adafruit 7-inch 800×480 LCD panel Exact non-touch Adafruit panel linked in the BOM.	Adafruit
1×	Adafruit 40-pin FPC extension board and 200mm cable Exact extension board and 200mm cable linked in the BOM.	Adafruit
1×	Three-port USB OTG hub Exact marketplace listing linked by the creator; manufacturer is not stated.	Adafruit Amazon (budget)
1×	3.7V 4500mAh LiPo battery The creator warns builders to check JST polarity before connection.	DigiKey AliExpress (budget)
1×	Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C Exact Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C linked in the BOM.	Adafruit Amazon (budget)
1×	SS12F15G3 SPDT slide switch Exact marketplace switch model linked in the BOM.	DigiKey
36×	Kailh Choc v1 low-profile switch The BOM specifies Choc v1 low-profile switches.	Adafruit
36×	MBK Choc low-profile keycap The BOM specifies MBK Choc keycaps.	Pimoroni
36×	1N4148 through-hole switching diode The BOM specifies through-hole 1N4148 diodes.	DigiKey Mechboards
1×	SparkFun Pro Micro (ATmega32U4) The creator says any Pro Micro-compatible board will do; verify voltage and USB connector.	SparkFun
1×	Custom 1.2mm laser-cut steel plate Cut case/plate_v01.dxf in millimetres; overview recommends about 1.2mm thickness.	SendCutSend
1×	2.4mm brass rod Creator specifies 2.4mm rod but not the required length.	Newark Amazon (budget)
1×	M2 and M2.5 screws with heat-set inserts Assortment; creator does not provide counts or exact lengths.	DigiKey
1×	Hookup wire, pin headers and heat-shrink tubing Assorted assembly supplies; source does not specify quantities or dimensions.	Adafruit

Printed parts

PiMech segmented enclosure and display hinge set — Official case directory contains the STL parts and plate DXF. Repository license is CC BY-NC-SA 4.0: attribution, noncommercial use and share-alike terms apply; prints may not be sold under this license.

Notes

Official README, BOM, build overview, file tree and license checked on 2026-10-15. Kept as draft because the BOM omits fastener counts, wire dimensions, Pro Micro variant, hinge-rod length and manufacturers for the USB hub and battery.

The BuildDeck dispatch

A weekly email of new build manifests and parts deals is coming soon.