First, what most people want to see with any concept, the pictures
The specs as they stand. Currently in the early planning phase so anything and everything could change.
Case Construction: Main body machined from a single piece of 6061 T651 Aluminium
Dimensions: 390 x 240 x 62mm - 5.8L
Motherboard: Mini ITX
CPU Cooler: Designed around Noctua NH-L9
GPU: Up to 220mm 2 slot. 130mm height, possible requirement for slim power plug depending on the card.
Power supply support: HD Plex 400w with internal AD-DC
Fans: Possibly 40mm fan on side of motherboard
Now the explanation.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” There are many versions of the quote, but it describes the idea behind this case well. I have many tools, including a hammer, but my business is based around one main tool. The Haas VF-3SS, 6.1 tonne of Vertical Machining Centre. As such, to me, every problem looks like it should be carved out of billet aluminium.
A lot of high end laptops and tablets have their bodies machined from billet. So, why not a desktop case? It would be the ultimate high end finish, with only one panel line for access to the internal components, and even that could be accurately machined to have it’s visual impact minimised. I initially had the idea a few years ago when I first got the Haas, back then, they why not was pretty simple to answer. With a much smaller market and limited selection of ITX components, Micro ATX was the mainstream small form factor. A block of aluminium to machine a Micro ATX case out of would be more than most would ever be willing to spend on a case, and that’s before you even start machining it. Today, with more and more manufactures supporting the ITX standard, components are readily available, and you can easily build a sub 10L system which has more than enough power for most applications.
For the last 3 years I have had access to a machine that I have dreamed about having since I first started looking into CNC machining at 16 years old (31 now). So far, I have not made a single cool thing with it for myself. That needs to change. Since I’ve always been interested in computers and case modding, having completed a few crazy custom built cases over the years, this seemed like the perfect project. For now the plan is a one off case for myself.
Questions, comments, feedback, messages to let me know I’m crazy. I look forward to reading what everyone has to say. Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to read and comment.
The specs as they stand. Currently in the early planning phase so anything and everything could change.
Case Construction: Main body machined from a single piece of 6061 T651 Aluminium
Dimensions: 390 x 240 x 62mm - 5.8L
Motherboard: Mini ITX
CPU Cooler: Designed around Noctua NH-L9
GPU: Up to 220mm 2 slot. 130mm height, possible requirement for slim power plug depending on the card.
Power supply support: HD Plex 400w with internal AD-DC
Fans: Possibly 40mm fan on side of motherboard
Now the explanation.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” There are many versions of the quote, but it describes the idea behind this case well. I have many tools, including a hammer, but my business is based around one main tool. The Haas VF-3SS, 6.1 tonne of Vertical Machining Centre. As such, to me, every problem looks like it should be carved out of billet aluminium.
A lot of high end laptops and tablets have their bodies machined from billet. So, why not a desktop case? It would be the ultimate high end finish, with only one panel line for access to the internal components, and even that could be accurately machined to have it’s visual impact minimised. I initially had the idea a few years ago when I first got the Haas, back then, they why not was pretty simple to answer. With a much smaller market and limited selection of ITX components, Micro ATX was the mainstream small form factor. A block of aluminium to machine a Micro ATX case out of would be more than most would ever be willing to spend on a case, and that’s before you even start machining it. Today, with more and more manufactures supporting the ITX standard, components are readily available, and you can easily build a sub 10L system which has more than enough power for most applications.
For the last 3 years I have had access to a machine that I have dreamed about having since I first started looking into CNC machining at 16 years old (31 now). So far, I have not made a single cool thing with it for myself. That needs to change. Since I’ve always been interested in computers and case modding, having completed a few crazy custom built cases over the years, this seemed like the perfect project. For now the plan is a one off case for myself.
Questions, comments, feedback, messages to let me know I’m crazy. I look forward to reading what everyone has to say. Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to read and comment.
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