I am adding an M.2 cell modem to my Mallow carrier board and have some concerns about the current spacer on the board that you use to screw down the M.2 device. Without any additional hardware it causes my cell modem to make contact with other components on the board and the device is at a slightly downward angle from the M.2 slot, as opposed to being parallel to the carrier board.
My concern is that the metal on the rear of the cell modem might cause shorting if it is in contact with the board.
Does Toradex have any recommendations or suggestions for properly mounting a device in the M.2 slot?
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It sounds like you are experiencing an issue with the physical mounting of your M.2 cell modem on the Mallow carrier board. Ensuring that the M.2 device is properly mounted and does not make unintended contact with other components is crucial to avoid potential short circuits and ensure reliable operation.
Here are some recommendations and suggestions for properly mounting your M.2 device:
Spacer Adjustment: Check if the current spacer can be adjusted or replaced with one of a different height to ensure that the M.2 device sits parallel to the carrier board. The correct spacer height is essential to prevent the modem from making contact with other components.
Insulating Material: If adjusting the spacer is not feasible, consider using an insulating material, such as a non-conductive thermal pad or a plastic spacer, between the M.2 device and the carrier board. This will help prevent any potential short circuits caused by the metal on the rear of the cell modem.
M.2 Standoff: Ensure that the M.2 standoff (the part where the screw secures the M.2 card) is of the correct height. Sometimes, using a different standoff height can resolve alignment issues.
Check for Obstructions: Verify that there are no obstructions or components on the carrier board that might be causing the M.2 device to sit at an angle. If there are, you might need to reposition or remove these components if possible.
Consult Documentation: Refer to the Mallow Carrier Board design data and mechanical models available on the Toradex website. These resources might provide specific details on the recommended mounting hardware and techniques for M.2 devices.
Technical Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Toradex technical support for further assistance. They might have additional insights or specific recommendations based on the Mallow carrier board design.
By following these suggestions, you should be able to properly mount your M.2 cell modem and avoid any potential issues related to improper contact with other components on the carrier board.
Please, also check if these links can help you solve your problem:
The standoff that is installed on the board from the factory does not appear to be the correct height. That is where my concern is coming from. When fastened down to the current standoff the back of my M.2 device touches components on the board.
Thank you for pointing out this issue. Our hardware team will review whether the standoff heights are too low and need to be increased. In the meantime, you can add a nut to the relevant standoff to increase the distance between the modem and the board, and/or place a piece of plastic film under the modem.
