Introduction: The Nerd Frame: Display Your Boards for <5$

You love curcuit boards and to want show them to every one? Or do you just want to stare at them the whole time?

Now you can with ease! In this instructable I will show you how you can use a simple IKEA RIBBA frame for just a few bucks to display for example an Arduino board.

Step 1: Bill of Materials

You will need:

  • IKEA RIBBA frame (about 2 - 5€)
  • superglue
  • a cutting mat
  • cutter
  • ruler
  • some cardboard pieces (ca. 2-3mm thick)
  • white paper
  • scotch tape
  • staples

Step 2: Prepare the Frame

First of all cut the cardoard into 2cm broad slices and fit them into the frame as shown in the picture. Finally glue them to the frame.

On one side add an other small stripe so the back will fit better.

Step 3: Prepare the Back

Place the backside at a white paper or cardboard sheet and cut around it. Use the scotch tape to hold it in place.

Step 4: Place Your Board

Find the exact middle of the back and place your board exactly in it. I used the original arduino case glued to the back. So I can always remove the board out of the case and use it for some experiments.

Step 5: Put Everything Together

Put the back with the board into the frame and fixate it with some staples. Use some cardboard pieces to center the back. Finally drill two holes for wall mounting. Now you're done!

Step 6: Just Look at It

Now its time to put the frame on the wall and just look at it. I will definitly build some more with a Raspberry Pi Zero and a Node MCU. Any other sugggestions?

If you try this instructable please share your results in the comments, I'm very curious :D

Step 7: A Small Update

Today I was at IKEA and bought some new frames.

I made a new Nerd Frame with a Raspberry Pi Zero and a micro sd card inside. If you are carefull enough you can reuse those "framenails" (I don't know the exact name : D ) to fixate the backplate. The Pi itself is hold in place by UHU Pattafix, so you can always remove the Pi and use it for some experiments.