Rugburn

Software Development

Bayforge: Pi Rack Builder

Bayforge is a free, browser-only app that designs 3D-printable racks for Raspberry Pi and other small boards. You pick your Pis, switch, fans and printer; it builds the rack in 3D, splits the parts to fit your print bed and writes the shopping list.

Role: Solo developer · Tools: TypeScript, React, Three.js, Manifold, Vite, Cloudflare Workers

The Bayforge builder with the purpose picker open and the rack in 3D
Exploded view with every printed part labeled and its screws backed out
The generated shopping list of Pis

Overview

Bayforge is a free web app for designing a 3D-printable rack for Raspberry Pi computers and similar small boards. It runs entirely in the browser, with no backend, accounts or database. A build is saved in its share link.

How it works

  • Start by purpose or by hardware. Pick what the rack is for (Plex/Jellyfin, Pi-hole, Home Assistant, a k3s cluster, a NAS, WireGuard, OctoPrint, Frigate) and it recommends the hardware, or choose the boards yourself.
  • Configure the rest. A network switch (with PoE), displays, fans and your printer's bed size.
  • See it in 3D. The rack is generated live, with a constructed view and an exploded view that shows every part, screw and nut.
  • Print it. Parts too big for the bed are split at bay boundaries with a glue lap or dovetail tabs and laid out on plates. Download STLs, or 3MF plates that open in Bambu Studio, OrcaSlicer or PrusaSlicer, already oriented to print without supports. A build guide walks through assembly.
  • Buy the rest. A shopping list covers the Pis, cables, fans, screws and filament.
  • Options. Frame styles (Basic, Organic truss, Max airflow lattice), TPU or stick-on feet, and side handles.
  • 11 languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.

Explore the model

My own build: a 10" rack with a Pi Zero WH and a Pi 3 Model B+, a TP-Link TL-SG1005P PoE switch and a 40 mm fan, split to print on a Bambu Lab P1S.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by Raspberry Pi Ltd.

Try it out

Website

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