goPlate 2.0.1: 8mm x M4 Grid Plate Mount System for Electronics / Robotics - goBilda and Rev Compatible

Please shoot a quick photo and upload as a ‘Make’. I'd love to see what you all are doing with these!

goPlate™ is an electronics mounting platform filling the same role as goBilda's aluminum grid plates, except in more sizes, printable and with some features that can make them easier to use. The 8mm grid uses holes slightly less than 4mm, allowing these to work as self-tapping mounts with common M4 screws. And gaps have been placed along the mount edges for wire management. 

Print top down as delivered. Make sure supports are not generated for slopes greater than 35 degrees from vertical. Make sure your top and bottom layers as well as your walls are reasonably thick. 1.5 to 2mm or more if possible. And use an otherwise good structural part print profile.

v.2.0 Changes: Platform is now raised 4mm for alignment with top or bottom edges. Slots have been added to optionally insert standard M4 nuts (regular or Nylock) for added strength, or for if someone strips out the mounting holes. v.2.0.1 Made the hex nut option fit better and insert easier.

Sizing is presented as a count of holes in the goBilda 1120 channel that corresponds to the plate dimension. Total millimeters shown include the 24mm of mount poles. Actual platform is 24mm less. These are all x-y symmetrical, so 9 x 5 and 5 x 9 are the same thing. They are named and organized with the larger number first. So If looking for a plate to fill a 5 x 9-hole space, look for it as 9 x 5.

This has not yet been tested with Rev Robotics 45mm channel, but it should work well. In the case of Rev, not all mount holes will line up. But many should. And you only need 2-3 per side really. So it should be a good solution for Rev too.

Students will tend to over-tighten and strip out the screw holes at first. But this is the kind of practice they need to develop a sense of the correct torque for different materials. I find that cases of stripped out or over-tightened screws drops quickly for both aluminum and plastic parts after students have some practice with these. Now includes nut slots for continuing to use if stripped out.

Consider using this battery holder with your goPlate: https://www.printables.com/model/1044071 
 

MOUNTING CONTROL HUBS:

If you simply use M3 screws as intended by Rev Robotics in the design of their Control Hub and Expansion Hub, this is standard and easy. You'll need about 24mm M3 screws with nylock nuts.

If you drill out your hub mounts for compatibility with M4 screws and the standard goBilda system (I've done this a lot, but if you do it is at your own risk), they should theoretically line up exactly with the 8mm grid on these printable plates. However, accuracy of drilling and variations in dimensional accuracy of 3D prints can easily be enough to cause problems mounting.

If they are very close, you may be able to put all four screws fully through the control hub, and get all four of them started because they can angle in slightly with that method. Or, just use a smaller drill to remove a little material from the printed plastic part.

SUPPORTING YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS:

If you like a thing, please click the heart ('Like') button. If a model is useful for your team or yourself, please use one of the designer's affiliate links the next time you shop at Amazon. Even if you buy something else, the designer will get a small commission. My links to known-good / vetted products are below.
 

BOM: 

NOTE: For best results, each different band/model of filament should be calibrated. All PLA and PLA+ filaments will print OK with a basic PLA profile for example. But they won't all be at their best without calibrating to their specific melt profile.

• Filament: 

  • PLA+ (Prints well and has many of the brightest, most saturated colors I've found.):
       https://amzn.to/3Vl1Bmf 

  • Matte Pastel PLA (Some students find this motivating): https://amzn.to/4ncD3rT 
     

COMPETITION LEGALITY AND FAIRNESS:

For fairness, my teams are not allowed to use any of my designs unless they find them here like any other team could (which for the record, took a couple of years). However, use of found part models like this is legal and encouraged for FTC, as choosing, printing and fitting others' parts into one's designs is a good level-appropriate skill to develop for FTC competitors.