Instructions – LP4 v1.1
For fasteners, the build uses M2.5 and M3.0 heat inserts. You’ll need a soldering iron to install them, optionally using these tips.
Heat Inserts:
For the M2.5, you could get away with slightly deeper ones, but I prefer to get these short ones. The shorter, the better!
For screws, I like to use these:
Screws:
For the LP model, the breakdown will be as follows:
- M3 short threaded inserts x13
- M2.5 short threaded inserts x 21
- M3x8mm black flat head screws x4
- M3x6mm screws x5 (+4 for vertical orientation)
- M2.5x6mm screws x21
- M2.5x4mm screws for HDPlex x4
I’ve started buying in bulk from aliexpress – it takes a little longer, but it’s MUCH cheaper in the long run. Links here
Full Cover Panels or Open Frame
These instructions show the use of the full cover frame panels. However, the LP4 remains compatible with all 84mm Open Panel Frames, available to download.
FRONT FRAME OPTIONS
There are depth variants for the front panel and the ability to use OLED panels, fans etc will depend on the chosen configuration.
Standard Frames
- Retains a 4.0L volume of the chassis.
Extended Frames
- Adds 21mm to the length of the chassis, resulting in an extended 4.4L volume.
There are multiple styles included for the front panel:
FRONT PANEL VARIANTS:
Configuration Table
Different frames/styles/components result in different compatibility outcomes. This is not an exhaustive list and should be considered a guide.
“APU Mode” refers to side-mounting the HDPLEX PSU in place of having a dedicated, low-profile GPU in the system.
Low Profile GPU Configs
Standard Frame depth, Low Profile GPU Mode
| Front Mount PSU | Front Fan Support | OLED Panel Support | |
| Mesh Only Front Panel | Yes | No | No |
Extended Frame depth, Low Profile GPU Mode
| Front Mount PSU | Front Fan Support | OLED Panel Support | |
| Mesh Only Front Panel | Yes | Yes | No |
| Single Fan Front Panel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Twin Fan Front Panel | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
| Triple Fan Front Panel | Yes* | Yes* | No |
* At least 1 fan will be fully obscured by the front mounted PSU.
APU MODE Configs
Standard Frame depth, APU Mode
| Front Fan Support | OLED Panel Support | |
| Mesh Only Front Panel | No | No |
| Single Fan Front Panel | Yes | Yes |
| Twin Fan Front Panel | Yes | Yes |
| Triple Fan Front Panel | Yes | No |
Extended Frame depth, APU Mode
| Front Fan Support | OLED Panel Support | |
| Mesh Only Front Panel | Yes | No |
| Single Fan Front Panel | Yes | Yes |
| Twin Fan Front Panel | Yes | Yes |
| Triple Fan Front Panel | Yes | No |
INSERT VARIATIONS
For the full cover front and side panels there are multiple options for how the pieces can be printed/assembled:
Side Panel INSERT TYPES
Removable
- The inner piece has screw mounts to attach to the outer frame. Ideal for 3D printed inners that require independent post-processing, or you anticipate swapping them out in future. Optimized for printing without supports.
Insert
- Also removable, but without screw mounts – this allows you to insert alternate materials easily, such as metal, wood, etc. Simply cut your insert to size and secure with the separate bracer. Recommended to print with supports.
Fixed
- “Print in place” for perfect seams. Optimized for printing without supports.
Front Panel INSERT TYPES
Removable
- Optimized for printing without supports, but to have the inner piece remain removable.
Insert
- The inner piece can be 3D Printed or use any alternate material easily, such as metal, wood, etc. Simply cut your insert to size and this piece will be secured when assembled to the frame. Recommended to print with supports.
Fixed
- “Print in place” for perfect seams. Optimized for printing without supports.
1. 3D Print all parts
Recommended to use a heat-resistant filament if possible (ABS / ASA) however PETG has proven more than sufficient during testing.
FRONT AND SIDE PANEL MESH
This updated v1.1 design leverages configurations inside of your 3D printer software to print multi-part pieces as a single pieces, with differing settings for each individual part to produce a “print-in-place” mesh.
This approach has been validated for the following 3D Printing applications:
- Bambu Studio
- Creality Print
- Orca Slicer
In Bambu Studio and Orca Slicer, simply select both files that represent the panel to be printed, and you’ll be prompted if you want to import them as a single part with multiple parts:
Select ‘YES’ and the you’ll now be able to change the print settings per object inside the slicer application:
NOTE: For Creality Print v5.0 onwards, you will need to import each piece separately, arrange them into place (I recommend centering them both on a single plate).
Select both parts, right click and click ‘ASSEMBLE’ to achieve the same functionality:
Once you have both parts available to individual configuration in the slicer software (ensure you are in the Object setting) – configure the ‘Strength’ settings of the internal ‘to be mesh’ part with the following:
- Top Shell layers: 0
- Bottom Shell layers: 0
- Sparse Infill Density: 30 (or whatever you decide)
- Sparse Infill Pattern: Rectilinear
This will result in the slicer printing the internal part as a mesh, with a density as defined above. Experiment to find the density that works for your desired final print.
2. Install M3 threaded
heat-inserts
- LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
Install 4x M3 (3mm deep, 5mm diameter) threaded inserts into the following holes:
- LP4_Back_Plate
Install 4x M3 (3mm deep, 5mm diameter) threaded inserts into the following holes:
- LP4_Motherboard_Tray
Install 4x M3 (3mm deep, 5mm diameter) threaded inserts into the following holes:
- LP4_Back_Plate_GPU_Fixer
Install 1x M3 (3mm deep, 5mm diameter) threaded insert into the following hole:
3. Install M2.5 threaded
heat-inserts
- LP4_Back_Panel
Install 1x M2.5 (3.5mm deep, 4.5mm diameter) threaded insert into the following hole:
- LP4_Front_Panel_Cover
Install 4x M2.5 (3.5mm deep, 4.5mm diameter) threaded inserts into the following hole:
- LP4_Side_Panel_Grill_Frame (All Variations)
Install 4x M2.5 (3.5mm deep, 4.5mm diameter) threaded insert into the following hole:
- LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
Install 8x M2.5 (3.5mm deep, 4.5mm diameter) threaded insert into the following hole:
4. ASSEMBLE FRONT PANEL
- LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
- LP4_Front_Grill_Frame
- LP4_Front_Panel_Cover
- LP4_HDPLEX_Mount x2
- LP4_Power_Button_Mount
Sandwich LP4_Front_Grill between LP4_Front_Panel_Cover and LP4_Front_Grill_Frame
Assembled Piece:
Use 4x M2.5x6mm screws to attach that assembled piece to the LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
Use 4x M2.5x6mm screws to attach LP4_Power_Button_Mount to LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
Use 4x M2.5x4mm screws to attach 2x LP4_HDPLEX_Mounts to LP4_Front_Panel_Frame
IMPORTANT!!!!!
Do not use screws longer than 4mm as you can damage the HDPLEX by using anything longer. CATAPULTCASE is not responsible for damaged caused if incorrect screws are used.
Attach the LP4_HDPLEX_Mounts and the HDPLEX PSU into the LP4_Front_Panel_Frame. The correct orientation has the cables that connect to the motherboard at the same end as the LP4_Power_Button_Mount
Install the Power Button
5. ASSEMBLE SIDE PANELs
- LP4_Side_Panel_Cover x2
- LP4_Side_Panel_Grill_Frame x2 (Various Options)
- LP4_Side_Grill_Template x2
Sandwich LP4_Side_Grill_Template between LP4_Side_Panel_Cover and LP4_Side_Panel_Grill_Frame.
Assemble 2 of these.
Assembled Pieces:
6. ASSEMBLE CHASSIS
- Slide the side panels inside of the front/back plates and fasten with 7 M2.5 screws.
- If configuring for vertical orientation, attach feet at the same time as the downfacing side panel.
- Attach the motherboard tray at the same time as the feet (if using horizontal orientation) using 4xM.3 screws
- After installing the GPU, attach the GPU Fixing bracket using 2xM2.5 screws
- Attach the top panel using 4xM.3 screws
