Cerberus: The 18L, mATX, USA-made enclosure

[PlayfulPhoenix]

8/21 - The Mill:

 

1: At the beginning, an aluminum billet has screw mounting holes drilled through it, as they are also used to hold the part in place during the machining process. 

 

2, 3: Next, an end mill bit cuts out the outside shape of the handle, over several passes.

 

4: After the larger cuts, a corner rounding bit is used to round off the edges of the part, for better ergonomics.

 

5: Next, the end mill cuts out the inside of the handle, and the interior edges are rounded.

 

6: Finally, the handle is flipped over, so that the opposing edges can be rounded as well.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

8/24 - Handle: Finished aluminum handles rest atop an engineering schematic of their design.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

8/26 - Solid Feet: Aluminum case feet, just cut by a lathe, await a final coating before installation.

[_blackknight_]

Is there a ATX PSU version? 

I can't find a good SFX 600W PSU here where I live

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Is there a ATX PSU version? 

I can't find a good SFX 600W PSU here where I live

 

Nova will support front-mounted SFX (or SFX-L) power supplies as "standard" (meaning, it's what we recommend). Through a bracket, users will also be able to install traditional ATX power supplies on the back of the case (over the motherboard), though this has a tradeoff of limiting CPU cooler height, and preventing much from being mounted on the side bracket. You do get much more room up front to mount stuff, however.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Today's update is a short video!   A timelapse, in fact.

 

8/28 - Punch: A laser-punch machine makes the first cuts in a sheet of steel, eventually forming the basis of Nova's internal frame.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

8/31 - Bent: A worker uses a press brake to bend flanges onto one of the edges of Nova's internal frame.

[OddsCrazyStuff]

8/31 - Bent: A worker uses a press brake to bend flanges onto one of the edges of Nova's internal frame.

I dont mind links, but cant you post the images and videos here?

Its a loot harder to keep up when you have to read 2 forums.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

I dont mind links, but cant you post the images and videos here?

Its a loot harder to keep up when you have to read 2 forums.

 

We've been trying to encourage people to follow us on SFF Forum since we're spread a bit thin pushing updates to so many places (HardForum, OCN, LTT, SFN, and our own website, among some other vectors). There are also some practical benefits to us posting updates there, as we havemore freedoms (regarding what we can post) there. But I get that some like to stay predominantly on certain communities, so I'll embed images moving forward for ya 

[MourningSouls]

Is there a known limit at this point for CPU air coolers when using an ATX PSU?

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Is there a known limit at this point for CPU air coolers when using an ATX PSU?

 

In terms of vertical clearance, I believe you expect around 45mm or so (we will have to verify this with some actual hardware, so don't quote me on that quite yet). It's definitely restricted, but you'll be able to use low-profile coolers, and most AIO and other waterblocks. I'd suggest the latter in such a build, since you'll have the entire front open for a radiator.

[Aibohphobia]

A threaded nut is pressed into the motherboard tray.

[Aibohphobia]

So I have an idea of what to test fit, what kind of builds are you guys planning on doing in the case?

[Build_Nerd]

So my question I had here was answered after doing a bit more digging, so new question. Had you initially planned to create this case design into a company? That is awesome, my friend and I actually have a case design idea that I was thinking of doing this with, but don't know if I can do the startup cost right now. As you said, your original design made cost you just short of $2600, how much has all of the other parts cost for you? Getting everything machined and such.

[Aibohphobia]

I had vague ideas of doing a production run when I started but I wasn't sure if anyone else was crazy enough to want a microATX case designed around SFX/SFX-L power supplies. Turns out there is demand so here we are

 

The $2600 for the first prototype covered engineering and manufacturing the case, including the machined handle. I had to supply a few odd bits, like the feet and power cord.

 

This new prototypes is $1900 for two units. Covers handle and feet but I still needed to supply the power cord.

 

You could do it much cheaper though with a simpler design and if you can do most of the CAD work yourself. Maybe even just a few hundred bucks.

 

An alternative would be to do like the NCASE M1 and a few other projects, and have a crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of the prototypes. I'd highly recommend formally setting up a company before taking people's money though.

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Build_Nerd, I can't link to it, but on our blog (for Kimera Industries - you can just do a web search for that), we have posts that speak a lot towards all the work we've done behind the scenes, lessons learned, and so forth. Some of it speaks more to business and logistics concerns, but the great majority of it walks through testing methodologies, how we've been working on and iterating the design, etc.

 

We've purposefully tried to write and publish a lot of this for the express purpose of helping out people who want to do similar projects, so hopefully you can get some insights from it!

[PlayfulPhoenix]

9/4 - Spray: A worker applies a dry, powder coat spray to an electrically-charged part.

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

We've had quite a busy week! Apologies for the lack of photos, but here's a cluster I think you'll find interesting.

 

In this picture, we have some prototype parts on racks, already powder coated, and ready to go into the kiln. This is actually one of the final steps in the process, and takes place just before assembly.

 

 

And here you have the controls for the kiln. The top modules control temperature, which is held very steady as the paint is cured. Note that the powder coatings themselves are dry as they enter the oven, and dry as they come out, however - the temperature is what causes it (the powder) to chemically react, and bind temporarily, creating the coating.

 

[PlayfulPhoenix]

Delivery!

 

[HrBorggreen]

Any news gentlemen? (: 

[Aibohphobia]

We've run into a few setbacks and at this point are looking at early next year for production.

[tyson.b]

We've run into a few setbacks and at this point are looking at early next year for production.

I didn't really feel like reading through 29 pages but what is the price point for a case like this?

 

Also, can it fit the evga acx 980 ti's in SLI?

[Neemil]

I didn't really feel like reading through 29 pages but what is the price point for a case like this?

 

Also, can it fit the evga acx 980 ti's in SLI?

The price is said to be more than the Ncase M1 but less than compact splash so about $200-$250 not sure about the GPU though.

[Aibohphobia]

We're looking at around $250 at this point.

 

Those cards should fit just fine. They're pretty much reference card size.

[HrBorggreen]

We've run into a few setbacks and at this point are looking at early next year for production.

Fair enough. Good luck with it (: