Magnetic Desk Frame for Elecrow 2.13-inch E-Paper CrowPanel

This compact picture-frame enclosure is built for the Elecrow 2.13-inch ESP32 e-paper CrowPanel (250 × 122). I designed it for a small Codex usage dashboard, but the enclosure also works for other projects using this exact board.

The front opening exposes only the active e-paper area and hides the white panel surround, PCB, buttons, and connectors. The finished display sits 60 degrees from the desk (30 degrees back from vertical), so it is easy to read below a monitor.

FEATURES

• Seamless, symmetric picture-frame front

• Pixel-aligned opening for the active e-paper area

• Frame prints face-down so the visible surface picks up the build-plate finish

• Direct-set magnetic rear cover with a small removal tab

• Removable wide rear leg

• Hidden path for the selected right-angle USB-C cable

• Four magnet pairs keep the rear cover evenly seated

• Parametric OpenSCAD source included

The final rear cover adds 0.16 mm of rigid preload behind the physically tested enclosure so the display stays seated against the front window without a paper shim.

WHAT TO PRINT

Print one of each STL: Frame, Backplate, and Leg.

The complete Bambu Studio 3MF contains all three parts already oriented and sliced for a Bambu Lab P2S with a 0.4 mm nozzle, Bambu PLA Sparkle, Smooth PEI Plate, and the settings below.

Optional: the Magnet Fit Gauge STL lets you test the pockets before committing to the full print. The SCAD file is the parametric source.

HARDWARE

• Elecrow 2.13-inch ESP32 e-paper CrowPanel, 250 × 122, without acrylic case: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX4PZZMQ

• MEOU 6-foot USB-C to USB-C cable with one right-angle connector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQ89GVNM

• TRYMAG mixed-size neodymium magnet set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMS4GTB6 — use eight 3 × 1 mm round magnets

• A small amount of cyanoacrylate glue

• PLA or PLA Sparkle filament

The separate 6 × 3 mm VSKIZ magnets are too large for these pockets.

PRINT SETTINGS

Tested on a Bambu Lab P2S with a 0.4 mm nozzle:

• 0.16 mm layer height

• 0.20 mm first layer

• 3 walls

• 15% infill

• Supports off

• Auto brim

• 0.15 mm elephant-foot compensation

• PLA Sparkle

Print the frame front face down. Print the rear cover inner face down. The removable leg prints flat. A smooth plate produced the finish shown in the final photos; textured PEI also works and gives the bezel a visibly textured face.

ASSEMBLY

1. Dry-fit every magnet and mark the mating polarity before using glue.

2. Glue four 3 × 1 mm magnets into the frame pockets.

3. Glue the four mating magnets into the rear-cover pockets. Let the adhesive cure fully.

4. Plug the right-angle USB-C connector into the display with its cable aimed through the bottom tunnel.

5. Seat the CrowPanel from the rear against the front opening.

6. Place the rear cover straight into its recess so all four magnet pairs meet.

7. Slide the leg into the socket on the rear cover.

The magnets are tiny and astonishingly committed to escaping. Work over a tray, and keep cyanoacrylate off the visible front surface.

CODE AND FIRMWARE

The open-source project includes the ESP32 firmware, local Mac updater, display layout, setup instructions, privacy model, and enclosure source:

https://github.com/LindsayB610/codex-usage-desk-display

The Mac reads the signed-in Codex allowance locally and sends only the remaining percentages, reset times, credit count, and refresh time to the display over USB. No account token or API key is stored on the ESP32.

Read the build story and setup guide: How I Built a Tiny E-Ink Codex Usage Display With AI

REMIX AND ATTRIBUTION

The clean picture-frame form and removable rear-leg concept were inspired by Vladimir Waas’s “E-ink 7-inch case developed for zivyobraz.eu, Martin cubism version”:

https://www.printables.com/model/768510-e-ink-7-case-developed-for-zivyobrazeu-martin-cubi

This enclosure was rebuilt parametrically for different hardware, a centered active-screen opening, a magnetic rear cover, and a bottom right-angle USB-C path.

Shared under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International, matching the source model.