Cow Pi mark 4b Assembly Instructions (Raspberry Pi Pico, SSD1306 OLED graphic display via I²C communication)

This is a minimal set of instructions but should be sufficient if you are using a fully-populated Cow Pi mk4b. A more detailed set of instructions that include other options will be available soon.

Prepare to Assemble the Cow Pi mark 4b 

Required and Optional Components

various electronic components that are described in the accompanying text — Fig. 82 Components for a Cow Pi mk4b development board, prior to final assembly.

The components for a Cow Pi mk4b development board are:

One (1) Cow Pi mk4b printed circuit board, populated at a PCBA facility
- Gerber files
- BOM file (optimized for JLCPCB)
- Pick & Place file (optimized for JLCPCB)
- KiCad files
Six (6) PCB “feet”, or adhesive rubber or silicone “bumper pads”
- Both options are shown
- Nylon spacers are show for the “feet” option; many other options are viable.
One (1) mini-breadboard with adhesive backing

Tools

Diagonal cutters or end cutters
- Both options are shown

Final Assembly Instructions 

:[ ]:: The display module’s header pins extend a few millimeters beyond the backside of the PCB. Using the diagonal cutters or end cutters, trim the display module’s header pins so that they are shorter than the PCB feet or bumper pads.

../../_images/diagonal-cutters.jpg — Fig. 83 Trimming the display module’s headers using (a) diagonal cutters or (b) end cutters

a

b

:[ ]:

Attach the PCB feet or bumper pads:

If you have PCB feet, insert them into the mounting holes.
If you have rubber or silicone adhesive bumper pads, attach four of them on the backside of the PCB near the corner mounting holes. Attach the remaining two bumper pads longitudinally center, near the edges of the PCB; you can use the through-holes that run along the edges of the Raspberry Pi Pico as a guide.