Parts#
Summary#
The Librem 16 is built from a variety of custom and off-the-shelf parts.
You can find replacement parts in the Purism shop. To obtain parts from other sources, use our part specifications to locate off-the-shelf parts, or use our CAD models to manufacture the custom mechanical parts.
Screws#
The Librem 16 uses four types of screws:
4x card screws (large wafer head), securing the three M.2 cards and the I/O board
26x chassis screws (small wafer head, long shank), securing the other internal components
7x mainboard screws (small wafer head, short shank), securing the mainboard and heatsink
11x bottom cover screws (countersunk flat head), securing the bottom cover (D-shell)
All of the Librem 16 screws are M2 coarse thread, or M2x0.40. 0.40 mm is the thread pitch.
Screws just labeled “M2” are usually this pitch. Finer pitches, like M2x0.25, are not compatible.
Card screws#
These screws secure the three M.2 cards and the I/O board.
Wafer head M2x0.40 machine screws
5.0 mm head diameter
3.5 mm shank length
0.5 mm head thickness
These screws have larger heads to hold the M.2 cards securely.
Chassis screws#
These screws secure the remaining internal components.
Wafer head M2x0.40 machine screws
3.8 mm head diameter
4.5 mm shank length
0.8 mm head thickness
Mainboard screws#
These screws secure the mainboard and heatsink.
Wafer head M2x0.40 machine screws
3.8 mm head diameter
2.5 mm shank length
0.5 mm head thickness
The reduced length of these screws is important, since the mainboard is mounted close to the keyboard and C-shell.
Bottom cover screws#
These screws hold the bottom cover to the chassis.
Countersunk flat head M2x0.40 machine screws
2.9 mm head diameter
3.9 mm length
The length of countersunk screws includes the screw head.
Off-the-shelf parts#
Some of the Librem 16 parts are standard off-the-shelf parts.
Coin cell battery#
The coin cell battery is a 3.0 V lithium primary cell (non-rechargeable). It connects with a two-pin wafer connector.
Purism ships CR2032, but any 3.0 V primary cell is compatible as long as it fits in the available space under the I/O cable. CR2032 and CR2025 are both commonly available and compatible.
Be sure the wafer connector polarity is correct, as these are not standardized. Compare to this image:
If the polarity is not correct on a third party battery, it is often possible to swap the wires. Use a craft knife to lift the plastic tab retaining each wire contact, slide out each contact, and insert them in the correct positions.
I/O cable#
The I/O cable is a shielded flexible flat cable. Shielding is important: high-speed serial links including PCI Express and USB 3.2 Gen 1 traverse this cable.
Shielded flexible flat cable
100 mm length
50 positions
0.5 mm pitch
Same side contacts
There is not much allowance in this cable’s specifications. Cables as short as 95 mm may work if installed carefully, ensuring the cable fully seats on both ends. Cables up to about 105 mm may work if installed carefully, ensuring that the cable is bent gently to accommodate the length without creasing.
Touchpad cable#
The touchpad cable is an unshielded flexible flat cable.
Unshielded flexible flat cable
130 mm length
6 positions
1.0 mm pitch
Same side contacts
The touchpad uses a low-speed bus (I2C) and is more tolerant than the I/O board. The cable must be creased to fit under the battery - crease it once to create the proper shape, then avoid unfolding or refolding it, which will wear out the cable.
Shorter cables down to 120 mm may work if installed carefully. Longer cables may work if they are folded properly to fit in the available space.
The cable must have same-side contacts. Opposite-side contacts will result in the wrong polarity, even if the cable was folded to physically fit, and this will damage the mainboard and/or touchpad.
Fan#
The fans are both BroadFan BF06007H05FP. These are commonly available as parts for laptops and Mini PCs. However, be aware that OEMs can order the same fan model with different wiring. The presence of the part number BF06007H05FP does not indicate how the fan is wired.
The Librem 16’s fans use 4-pin wafer connectors with pin configuration:
+5V
Tachometer
PWM control
GND
Pin 1 is marked on the mainboard with a triangle:
The central fan has 90 mm wiring. The outer fan has 125 mm wiring. Longer wiring can be substituted as long as it is routed properly.
Display panel#
The display panel is BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd NE160WUM-N61 V8.0.
The display panel is controlled using Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.4b. Other eDP 1.4b panels are generally compatible.
Custom parts#
Mechanical parts, including the chassis components, bezels, hinges, keyboard, speakers, rubber pads, touchpad, and other parts, are all custom manufactured from Purism’s designs.
Purism manufactures these parts in volume and offers individual parts for sale in the Purism shop. Since these parts are custom designs for Purism products, the part numbers are assigned by Purism:
Part |
SKU |
|---|---|
Kill switch caps |
|
Speakers |
|
Touchpad |
|
Top cover assembly |
|
Bottom cover assembly |
|
Heat sink |
|
Ethernet cover |
|
I/O board |
|
Mainboard |
|
Display assembly |
Producing custom parts at a scale suitable for mass market requires minimum order quantity commitments, and Purism produces these parts in quantities of 1000+.
To produce your own parts at low volume, Purism recommends a low-volume prototyping service, and many such services are available. Use our CAD models to produce parts, and customize them as desired.
If you would like to produce bulk repair parts for sale or repair services, you can reach out to us to produce parts with our tooling, or feel free to produce your own tooling from our designs. Please contact our sales team if you would like to discuss a bulk order of parts. It is not necessary to contact us if you choose to produce your own tooling, as our CAD models are licensed to permit commercial use.