VMX-pi is simple to assemble together with several different Raspberry Pi Circuit boards, including the Raspberry Pi 4 (Model B), Raspberry Pi 3 (Models B and B+) and the Raspberry Pi Zero/W.
Raspberry Pi 4 (Model B) & Raspberry Pi 3 (Models B and B+)
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Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (top view) 1.5Ghz Quad-Core Processor, 1 to 4 GB RAM |
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Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (top view) 1.4Ghz Quad-Core Processor, 1GB RAM |
Raspberry Pi Model 3B (Top View) 1.2Ghz Quad-Core Processor, 1GB RAM |
The Raspberry Pi 3 (purchased separately; retail cost ~$35) includes a 40-pin GPIO Connector Block – with all 4o pins pointing up – that should be connected to the corresponding 40 pin connector on VMX-pi.
VMX-pi includes ten (10) Nylon Standoffs and six (6) Nylon Nuts which can be used as shown in the video above to fix the two boards relative to each other and to create a set of stable “legs” upon which to mount the assembly onto a Robot, or to rest it on a desktop.
VMX-pi Standoff Installation – GPIO Connector Side
VMX-pi Standoff Installation – HDMI Connector Side
The assembly video also demonstrates the installation of the two provided Power Connectors: A Wall-wart (barrel-jack) connector for desktop use and a Battery connector for on-robot use. Note: if using the Wall-wart connector, you will need to purchase separately a AC DC Adapter. The adapter must have a center-positive barrel connector, with 2.1mm inner diameter and 5.5mm outer diameter. The recommended adapter has a 12 Volt DC output rated to 3 Amps.
Finally, the video demonstrates how a JST-GH cable and breakout board can be used to connect to external devices.
Note: as an alternative to using standoffs, an enclosure can be 3D-printed and used instead of the standoffs to create a solid enclosure for protecting and mounting VMX-pi.
Raspberry Pi Zero W
Raspberry Pi Zero W (top view)
1Ghz Single-Core, 512MB RAM
For those seeking an even lower-cost solution, VMXI-pi can be used with a Raspberry Pi Zero W (purchased separately; retail cost: ~$10) instead of the Raspberry Pi 3.
By default, the Raspberry Pi Zero W does not have the 40-pin GPIO Pin Header Block soldered to it. Typically, this block is included with the Raspberry Pi Zero W, but can also be purchased separately at sites including Adafruit and Pimoroni.
40-pin Header (2 rows)
The first step is to solder the 40-pin GPIO Connector Block to the Raspberry Pi Zero W, with the long ends of the header block point upwards from the top of the board.
Then, the standoffs included with VMX-pi can be used as shown below to stabilize the two boards relative to each other and to create a set of stable “legs” upon which to mount the assembly onto a Robot.
Alternatively, an enclosure can be 3D-printed and used instead of the standoffs to create an solid enclosure which can be mounted to the Robot.