Personal Projects

This was the first project that I started after purchasing my 3D printer and my goal was to create a case that could hold all of my computer components while being half the size of my current case. The limiting factor on the design of the case was the relatively small print bed on my Ender 3 (220 mm x 220 mm). The case that I started with was a Metallicgear Neo Mini v2 which has a volume of 25.6 Liters and the case I designed had a final volume of just over 12 Liters.

For my final design, the case was made out of 10 individual pieces that would be assembled together at the same time as the computer components being added. Due to the large upfront cost of the printer and filament I did not want to have to purchase any additional fasteners to hold the case together. I utilized press fitting and a custom retention clip design to hold the case together. For easy access for maintenance and cable management the top panel was easily removable. The ventallation pattern and layout was designed to allow all the components access to fresh air.

Overall I was happy with the way the case turned out and it was a good exercise in familiarizing myself with 3D printing.

After acquiring a new graphics card that was about 7 cm longer than my old one I was no longer able to use the first case that was printed. I decided to design an open-air case where I could display all of my components, but wanted to be able to hide most of the wires. To accomplish this I rotated the motherboard and graphics card 90 degrees so my USB cables and display cables would be inside the box.

My design used a main compartment that would house the power supply and cables and a bracket that would support the motherboard. Unlike my previous project, this case was designed to be held together using m3 screws. The bottom box was made out of 6 pieces that were fastened together at the 4 corners, and the motherboard bracket was printed as one piece.