Purism Releases STEP File for Librem 5

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Purism

Beautiful, Secure, Privacy-Respecting Laptops, Tablets, PCs, and Phones

Latest posts by Purism (see all)

• Quantum Safe Communication with Purism - September 23, 2024
• Purism Releases STEP File for Librem 5 - September 23, 2024
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We’re excited to announce another significant step forward in our commitment to open hardware: the release of the STEP file for our Librem 5 smartphone. This move builds upon our previous efforts, where we released the Librem 5 hardware layouts, which can be found here.

The release of the STEP file further underscores Purism’s dedication to transparency, user empowerment, and the principles of free and open-source hardware. By providing both the hardware layouts and now the STEP file, we’re enabling deeper understanding and potential modification of the Librem 5’s physical design.

What is a STEP File?

A STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) file is a 3D model format widely used in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). By releasing this file, we’re providing detailed 3D design information about the Librem 5’s mechanical components.

Why This Matters

1. Customization and Repairability: – Users and third-party developers can create custom accessories or modifications for the Librem 5, such as specialized cases, modified midframes, or replacement parts like kill switch caps.
2. Education and Innovation: Students, researchers, and hardware enthusiasts can study and learn from our design, potentially inspiring new ideas and innovations in the mobile hardware space.
3. Transparency: We believe in being open about our products. This release allows anyone to examine the intricate details of the Librem 5’s design.

Important Considerations

While we’re thrilled to share this resource, it’s crucial to understand a few key points:

• The STEP file alone is not sufficient to produce a complete Librem 5. Manufacturing a smartphone requires specialized knowledge, tools, and components beyond what’s represented in this file.
• This release primarily benefits those with technical expertise in 3D design and manufacturing. However, we anticipate that the community may develop user-friendly projects based on this file in the future, such as custom back plates for easy access to the breakout board pins.

Looking Forward

The release of the Librem 5 STEP file is just the beginning. We’re excited to see what our community will create with this new resource. Whether it’s custom accessories, replacement parts, or entirely new innovations, we believe this STEP forward will contribute to a more open, sustainable, and user-centric mobile ecosystem.

Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to share your projects and ideas with the Purism community!

Note: Purism is exploring the possibility of obtaining Open Source Hardware (OSHW) certification following this release, further cementing our commitment to open hardware principles.

Purism Products and Availability Chart

	Model	Status	Lead Time
	Librem Key (Made in USA)	In Stock ($59+)	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 5	In Stock ($699+) 3GB/32GB	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 5 COMSEC Bundle	In Stock ($1299+) Qty 2; 3GB/32GB	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Liberty Phone (Made in USA Electronics)	Backorder ($1,999+) 4GB/128GB	Estimated delivery date pending	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 5 + SIMple (3 GB Data)	In Stock ($99/mo)	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 5 + SIMple Plus (5 GB Data)	In Stock ($129/mo)	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 5 + AweSIM (Unlimited Data)	In Stock ($169/mo)	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 11	Backorder ($999+) 8GB/1TB	Estimated delivery date pending	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem 14	In Stock ($1,370+)	10 business days	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem Mini	Backorder ($799+)	Estimated delivery mid-October	Learn More Buy Now
	Librem Server	In Stock ($2,999+)	45 business days	Learn More Buy Now