DockFrame

DockFrame is a modular USB-C hub by HW Media Lab LLC that accepts Framework-compatible Expansion Cards and custom "Tool Cards." It extends the Framework Expansion Card ecosystem beyond the laptop, allowing the same cards to be used at a desk, in a Framework laptop, or connected to any USB-C device including smartphones¹². The project is open hardware with PCB designs and 3D-printable enclosure files available on GitHub³.

Prototype / In Development

DockFrame is in the prototype and validation phase. It is not yet available for purchase. HW Media Lab plans to launch on Crowd Supply when production-ready⁴.

Overview

DockFrame was announced in December 2025 by Eleo Basili, co-founder and principal product designer at HW Media Lab⁵⁶. The hub features four hot-swappable slots that accept standard Framework Expansion Cards — USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio, SSD, SD card reader, and more²⁷. Framework currently offers 24 types of expansion cards².

The hub connects to any computer via a single USB-C port and works independently of Framework laptops⁷⁸. In addition to Framework card compatibility, HW Media Lab is developing proprietary Tool Cards that expand functionality into electronics measurement, power delivery, and embedded development¹².

Framework Computer has supported the project by featuring it on their blog, social media, newsletter, and YouTube channel as part of their "Monthly Mod" series⁴⁹. Framework also sent HW Media Lab a mainboard for compatibility testing⁴.

Community Response

As of March 2026, 704 people signed up on the pre-order list, with 662 providing written feedback. The biggest demand was for customizable port selection, a home for unused Framework Expansion Cards, and the Tool Cards — particularly the Multimeter and Power Supply⁴. Community feedback on pricing expectations centered around $50–100 USD for the base hub and $20–50 USD per Tool Card⁴.

Tool Cards

Tool Cards are custom modules designed by HW Media Lab that slot into DockFrame or connect directly to any USB-C port. They extend the hub into a multifunctional electronics workstation¹².

Multimeter Tool Card

A compact multimeter in the Framework Expansion Card form factor¹²:

• Standard 4 mm banana plug connectors¹
• Voltage measurement (DC/AC, isolated: 60 V / 600 V ranges)⁴¹⁰
• DC current measurement¹⁴
• Resistance measurement⁴¹⁰
• Continuity testing¹
• RP2040 MCU with microSD card for data logging⁴¹⁰
• Galvanic isolation on all measurement paths using isolated differential amplifiers and transformer-based power supplies⁴¹⁰

Power Supply Tool Card

An adjustable DC power supply in card form factor¹²:

• Adjustable voltage output: 3.3 V, 5 V, 9 V, 12 V¹
• Standard banana plug connectors¹
• Current limiting protection¹

Microcontroller Dev Card

A Seeed Studio XIAO-based development platform for embedded development¹².

Mini SSD

A miniature SSD in partnership with Biwin, featuring PCIe 4.0 with speeds up to 3,700 MB/s¹².

Dual USB-C Expansion Card

A two-port USB-C card using a GL3523 USB 3.2 Gen 1 hub controller. Designed to fit the standard Framework Expansion Card slot (26.5 × 21.8 mm) on a 4-layer PCB with impedance-controlled differential pairs at 85 ohm. As of March 2026, the design is fully routed with 0 DRC errors and is ready for fabrication⁴.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Expansion Card Slots	4, hot-swappable27
USB Data	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)4
Hub Controller	Genesys Logic GL35234
Management MCU	ESP32-S34
Power Delivery	USB-C PD passthrough4
PCB	4-layer, 379 components4
Compatibility	Framework Expansion Cards, Tool Cards, any USB-C host12
Enclosure	Open-source 3D-printable, LEGO-compatible studs on bottom378
Repairability	Screw-open, fully documented (pinouts, APIs, firmware)1
Source	Open hardware (CERN-OHL)3

Development Status

As of April 2026, development is in the prototype phase¹⁴:

Component	Status
DockFrame Hub	Schematic done, PCB routing in progress4
Dual USB-C Card	Fully routed, ready for fab4
Multimeter Card	Schematic in progress (12 hierarchical sheets)410
Power Supply Card	Planned14

Future Roadmap

HW Media Lab has outlined a roadmap based on community feedback⁴:

• First release: DockFrame Hub (4 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C PD), Dual USB-C Expansion Card, open-source 3D-printable enclosure
• After launch: Multimeter Card, Power Supply Card, GPIO/UART Breakout Card, metal chassis option
• Under investigation: 240 W EPR USB PD (dependent on VIA Labs controller availability), DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4 / Thunderbolt, Logic Analyzer Card, MCU Dev Card

Compatibility

DockFrame works with any computer equipped with a full-featured USB-C port supporting Power Delivery and data²⁷. Standard Framework Expansion Cards can be used in:

• DockFrame Hub
• Framework Laptop 13 (all generations)
• Framework Laptop 16
• Framework Laptop 12
• Framework Desktop
• Any USB-C device (smartphones with reverse charging support, tablets, other laptops)¹

Tool Cards can also be plugged directly into USB-C ports on non-Framework devices¹².

Related Projects

• Dual USB-C Expansion Card — Community project for a dual-port USB-C Framework Expansion Card; DockFrame is developing its own variant
• Framework 16 to MXM GPU Adapter — Community project to adapt MXM mobile GPUs for the Framework 16
• EC Card 2 — A closed-case debugging expansion card for Framework embedded controller access
• DongleHider+ — A community expansion card that hides a USB dongle internally while providing an external USB-A port

Footnotes

1. DockFrame — HW Media Lab LLC ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹

2. DockFrame - Modular USB-C Hub with Framework-Compatible Expansion Cards — Framework Community (December 2025) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³

3. HW-Lab-Hardware-Design-Agency — GitHub ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. 704 Responses Later: How Your Feedback Is Driving DockFrame — HW Lab Blog (March 2026) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²²

5. This new 'DockFrame' expansion card can transform a PC's USB-C port into swathe of features and functions — Tom's Hardware (January 2026) ↩

6. Prototype "DockFrame" USB-C Hub Debuted - Expansion System Accepts Framework Cards — TechPowerUp (January 2026) ↩

7. New 'DockFrame' dock taps into Framework's USB-C modular system — PCWorld (January 2026) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

8. This USB dock that accepts Framework Expansion Cards should be an official product — XDA Developers (January 2026) ↩ ↩²

9. The Dockframe, HW Lab's answer to a modular usb-c hub with our expansion cards — Framework YouTube (March 2026) ↩

10. Building a Multimeter in a Framework Expansion Card — HW Lab Blog (April 2026) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵