custom acrylic case

[0ld_Chicken]

Hi everybody,

Just started messing around with sketchup the yesterday and I would like your suggestions on my case idea.  First time I've used any CAD software since high school 8 years ago and I've been having a blast.  This is one of a few ideas I have kicked around (and its a pretty rough idea but it is a work in progress).  I did not sketch all the internal components just downloaded them off the 3d warehouse.

 

 Front/side fans are intakes (sp 120's) and fans on the back are exhaust (nf s12a) .  I will be moving the psu 1/4" to the front (and venting fan out back) so that there is some material in the back and corner for structural purposes.   I'm planning on making it completely out of acrylic, dovetailed together (unless that is unnecessary) and these  http://www.parvumsystems.com/product/modding-cube.    Lid will hopefully be made of one solid piece of acrylic bent to the proper angles.   I've got to figure out what I will do with the pci slots as I dont really want to cut them all out.  I'm thinking I will just cut out the two double spots for SLI (even though I'm only using one card right now) and fit things together so I can remove that side panel if I need to cut something else out later)

 

I will be using the hardware in my sig (not the same mobo as in the picture, my gpu is 1" longer than pictured as well) but I might put my raijintek triton back in when I finish

any suggestions/input would be greatly appreciated!  hopefully I havent done anything too obsurd haha

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

That's a pretty interesting design, the only thing that might be a concern is the angle the fans are at for the long run since the bearing surfaces may wear unevenly, less so for the Nocuta ones since they use solid brass sleeves suspended with oil.

 

For the dovetail joint unless you plan to cut it on a CNC router with a bit, in general most laser cutter can't do compound angled cuts from my knowledge.

[Stefan1024]

It looks nice. The cooling looks sophisticated and it will perform well I guess.

Hopefully you make a build log.....

[Wander Away]

Now that's something I really like. Sexy. 

I'll be very interested to see the actual product and the build log

[0ld_Chicken]

That's a pretty interesting design, the only thing that might be a concern is the angle the fans are at for the long run since the bearing surfaces may wear unevenly, less so for the Nocuta ones since they use solid brass sleeves suspended with oil.

 

For the dovetail joint unless you plan to cut it on a CNC router with a bit, in general most laser cutter can't do compound angled cuts from my knowledge.

 

Thanks for the input. I will have to keep an eye (or ear) on the fans. I have heard that odd angles can wreak havoc on bearings but did not think of it. We'll see how they hold up. As for the dovetails, I'll probably just end up slotting some of the structural pieces together along with the mod cubes to hold everything together.

 

It looks nice. The cooling looks sophisticated and it will perform well I guess.

Hopefully you make a build log.....

Thanks for stopping by with your approval! I've seen one of your passive builds and am very impressed with your work. I will probably make some more changes this week and get a materials list and start pricing things out. I will start a build log once I get things going.

Thanks again

  

Now that's something I really like. Sexy. 

I'll be very interested to see the actual product and the build log

Haha thanks! I'm very glad it has been well received! I'm also rather interested in how it will turn out because I've never really done anything quite like this before. I'll make sure to start a build log

[ajgamer1]

I loved the fact that you came up with an interesting plan but I doubt if it's practical. Because we should keep that in mind it's electrical stuff and secondly, Its diamond electrical stuff (not a 2$ stuff we can buy every other day).

 

Recently I was talking to a guy who owns like 6000$+ PC Rig from the other state of India. He told me one thing when I shared my custom case idea (You know). He told me that don't risk too much.

 

Making a case is like science for the case makers. One mistake you will end up fucking your rig. I don't even know him properly but whatever he said is right, I can't afford to buy another rig if I spoiled this one.

 

Anyways, I don't want to discourage you. If you really want to go through. I would say, Just do it. But I doubt the design a bit. The way you placed MoBo and Fans is awesome but PSU is not like well placed according to me. I may be wrong.

 

Would you mind telling me your interest or something?

 

Because I am a Harry Potter fan, If I want to make some ugly design but close to my heart case (I don't give a shit to What would would think of it), I would make case like this as similar as possible.

 

 

Just to add the flavor to my Harry Potter idea. I would keep the top open and with loads of white and blue LEDs just to make it pretend like something magical is inside and keep it closed with a glassy cover (so don't dust won't go inside).

 

It is looking tough job but a creative mind, hard-working hands and time management can make it possible. 

[0ld_Chicken]

Snip

Making a case is like science for the case makers. One mistake you will end up messing your rig. I don't even know him properly but whatever he said is right, I can't afford to buy another rig if I spoiled this one.

Snip

It is looking tough job but a creative mind, hard-working hands and time management can make it possible.

Thanks for your honest input and I appreciate it. I am not too concerned with botching my hardware but perhaps there are things I am not considering. Do you have any specific ideas to watch out for?

I have been a little unsure of the psu placement although I am sure it would be ok as I have seen that orientation in cases before, I may end up moving it anyways.

I am not really looking to do a themed build, a lot of my interests do not coincide with computers well at least as far as case design goes (nature and the such).

I have also been closely consulting the atx form factor guidelines to make things as exact as possible to ensure a good fit and operation.

If you've got any ideas to keep me from damaging hardware let me know! Negative input(if constructive) is almost better than positive input so thanks again!

[Stefan1024]

 Thanks for stopping by with your approval! I've seen one of your passive builds and am very impressed with your work. I will probably make some more changes this week and get a materials list and start pricing things out. I will start a build log once I get things going.

Thanks again

Haha, thx!

I think the PSU placement is not that bad. It's in a corner, so the PSU fan has a direct intake from the outside and can exhauste the hot air througth the mesh where you plug your power cord in.

I terms of breaking stuff: Acrylic is very likely to build up high electronic charges and can destroy your hardware with an ESD strike. So make sure you ground yourself all the time when working with the electronic. With metal you don't have this problem, but you can create a short circuit with it.

By the way, what acrylic do you plan to use? Clear one may look great but it is relentless. You will see every little scratch or mistake in the final product. Acrylic is also quite difficult to drill / cut without splinter.

[0ld_Chicken]

Snip

I terms of breaking stuff: Acrylic is very likely to build up high electronic charges and can destroy your hardware with an ESD strike. So make sure you ground yourself all the time when working with the electronic. With metal you don't have this problem, but you can create a short circuit with it.

By the way, what acrylic do you plan to use? Clear one may look great but it is relentless. You will see every little scratch or mistake in the final product. Acrylic is also quite difficult to drill / cut without splinter.

I was just thinking about static issues last night as I fall asleep. I was thinking about maybe integrating a metal mobo tray With pcie slots into the case and ground it to the chassis of the psu. Also will have to take more static precautions than usual. (Also I have read that washing your plexiglass with a dish detergent solution (BEFORE the pc) can help hold static at bay, do you think this could help at all)

I haven't really thought about the acrylic type at all although to be honest I was/am planning on using clear. I saw a thing last night showing how easy that stuff chips and flakes. I was thinking that applying some heat when cutting/drilling might help keep this to a minimum.

[Stefan1024]

- snip-

Once final assembeled the ESD is not a problememe anymore, because there are none isolated moving parts that can build up some high charge. All connectors are protected and are fine.

I think a metal MoBo tray in not necessary.

 

I don't recommend washing the acrylic. Some agressive soap may destroy the finish and it doesn't help a lot. You need propper grounding anyway, like this:

 

Just lay the parts dwon on the mat so everything gets discharged savely.

 

You have to dicide it you use duroplast or thermoplastic. Thermoplastic can be heaten up and bend. But never preheat acrylic before drilling / milling. It will overheat and melt. In fact you have to cool or work slowly. I have only very limitted experiences with acrylic since I prefere metal. You may have to ask other modders.....

[0ld_Chicken]

Snip

You have to dicide it you use duroplast or thermoplastic. Thermoplastic can be heaten up and bend. But never preheat acrylic before drilling / milling. It will overheat and melt. In fact you have to cool or work slowly. I have only very limitted experiences with acrylic since I prefere metal. You may have to ask other modders.....

Good to know. I've got a static wrist wrap but I'll have to get a mat. I'll look into the plastic/acrylic types. Thanks so much for your help

[Stefan1024]

Good to know. I've got a static wrist wrap but I'll have to get a mat. I'll look into the plastic/acrylic types. Thanks so much for your help

You are wellcome! The mat is not needed at all cost, but it is pretty handy. I also have one.

[0ld_Chicken]

So I went ahead and bought a sheet of plexiglass from a home improvement store to make a side panel for my existing case to see just what I'm getting myself in to.  Between cutting the sheet to size and cutting out the hole for the fan I would definitely have to say that building a plexiglass case from scratch is not for me right now haha.  I am thinking about sending some plans for estimates to a few laser cutting companies I've found online that stock the material and then send you your product but I have a feeling it will be way more than I'm trying to spend.  Plus making it is kinda half of the deal for me so we'll see.  If I ever do get enough time and ambition I'll make sure to make a build log