# Version using PCB as chassis
**URL:** https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38
**Category:** General
**Created:** [August 10, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38 "2023-08-10T23:35:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/1 "2023-08-10T23:35:02Z")
I like to use the PCB as the chassis. Quick and dirty version using N20 motors and breaking out the GPIO to a [Mikrobus socket](https://www.mikroe.com/click)
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2023, 11:42pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/2 "2023-08-11T23:42:12Z")
This looks amazing - it would be great to build one that’s as small as possible, and using the pcb for a chassis is a great idea.
How soon can you make one? 🙂
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2023, 8:29am UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/3 "2023-08-12T08:29:52Z")
It would probably work out quite expensive in small runs. I was thinking that if I’m just using PCB for structure and not doing anything electrical with it then maybe I could just make one with a hole that you could bolt a Sparkfun one into. Also trying to keep it smaller than 10cm x 10cm on cost grounds
The XRP boards don’t seem available to buy yet? Do we have any idea what they cost to buy or get fabricated?
I was also looking at what motors could be used. It seems like the [£20 Pololu ones](https://www.pololu.com/product/997) would plug right in, but not the [£5 Aliexpress ones](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004999529855.html) So I’m wondering about getting some cables made up, or some little adaptor boards.
An [18650 pack](https://www.diymore.cc/products/18650-16340-lithium-battery-shield-v9-v8-v3-mobile-power-expansion-board-module-5v-3a-3v-micro-usb-type-c-for-arduino-esp8266) mounted on standoffs above the board might be nice for power
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2023, 8:40am UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/4 "2023-08-12T08:40:15Z")
This would fit within the 10x10 footprint, but looks a bit ‘off’ aesthetically.
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/5 "2023-08-12T20:37:23Z")
The boards should be available in a couple weeks… I’m not sure on the price yet, but it will be pretty reasonable. If you want - I’ll send you an early one to play with?
On the motors, it would be great to get some of those working… so we can have more options for types of builds. Let me know if you need any help!
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/6 "2023-08-13T16:46:31Z")
That would be great, thanks!
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2023, 9:52am UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/7 "2023-08-14T09:52:21Z")
Using these [cables](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32843338827.html) and [connectors](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000005280584.html) it should be possible to use the £5 bringsmart motors.
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/8 "2023-08-14T15:38:23Z")
I ordered a couple of [these PCB](https://easyeda.com/editor#id=%7Ce655b08f80cd412e8119d61893779e39) shim/motor holders to see if it’s strong enough. 70pence each so not too bad.
Let me know when I can get the controller board to test with.
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/9 "2023-08-14T20:37:05Z")
Awesome… I just PM’d you for a shipping address
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/10 "2023-08-14T21:18:07Z")
Thanks. Could you confirm the motor socket/plug part name as well please?
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/11 "2023-08-15T18:44:27Z")
Playing around with a daughter board that could mount on standoffs above the main board.
- Socket for [Mikroe click](https://www.mikroe.com/click)
- Female header to insert the ultrasonic sensor
- 3x Pimoroni 5pin breakout garden pins for [vl53l5cx](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/vl53l5cx-time-of-flight-tof-sensor-breakout?variant=39972903059539) or similar modules
Essentially just a pre-configured breadboard that you could connect to with [Qwiic \> Dupont cables](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005796723171.html)
[This code](https://www.cnx-software.com/2023/03/28/servo-and-motor-control-with-raspberry-pi-pico-circuitpython-and-wukong-2040-breakout-board/) might be useful for the 4x4 version
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/12 "2023-08-19T19:38:25Z")
I’m not sure… it’s a 6 pin JST, I can send you a photo
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/13 "2023-08-19T19:39:24Z")
That looks awesome… we need to design some new chassis mounts to hold these expansion boards.
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2023, 8:19am UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/14 "2023-08-20T08:19:02Z")
I think it’s probably a 1mm JST-sh so I’ve ordered those. For some reason I couldn’t output a useful BOM from the PCB file.
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### Author:  [@SparkFro](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/SparkFro)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/15 "2023-08-21T20:14:57Z")
Hey there! Yes, the connectors on the control board are 6-pin JST-SH, these ones to be exact: [JST SH Vertical 6-Pin Connector - SMD - GPS-00579 - SparkFun Electronics](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/579)
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 25, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/16 "2023-08-25T14:05:26Z")
The motor mount part arrived today, seems like it might work…
This is the [BOM I’m using](https://github.com/samuk/IntroToRoboticsV2/tree/main/course/ros2#readme)
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/17 "2023-08-27T20:55:03Z")
Did a bit more messing about with this board.
Added option of connecting the Ultrasonic & line follower boards (You’d need to bend the pins)
The 5pin female behind is for connecting a [Breakout garden socket](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/breakout-garden-extender-kit?variant=13600510312531)
Into this you could drop a [vl53l5cx](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/vl53l5cx-time-of-flight-tof-sensor-breakout?variant=39972903059539) or an [LED matrix](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/11x7-led-matrix-breakout?variant=21791690752083) or [OLED](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/1-12-oled-breakout?variant=29421050757203) for making robot faces
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/18 "2023-08-28T17:50:10Z")
Some more bits arrived. Still no cables to spin a motor though…
If anyone wants one of these pcb/mount plates then happy to stick one in the post for the cost of postage.
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### Author:  [@drotus](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/drotus)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/19 "2023-08-28T19:39:19Z")
It looks fantastic… mind if I do a blog post on your build?
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### Author:  [@sam\_uk](https://xrp.discourse.group/u/sam_uk)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38/20 "2023-08-28T19:59:21Z")
That would be fun, I’d like to at least get some motors spinning first though, so people aren’t wasting their time if something doesn’t work out.
[Next page](https://xrp.discourse.group/t/version-using-pcb-as-chassis/38.md?page=2)