Prototype Community Feature: One Works’ Isogrid/ Aerospace Inspired Case

[One Works]

I’m always one to promote New Zealand made, as SFF Network is a Kiwi-owned company. Local CNC wizard One Works has been working on an aluminium, aerospace based chassis for ITX builds, and it looks glorious! Bruce, the proprietor, is looking for feedback on the design, so feel free to jump into the forum and participate!
(Pictures courtesy of the design thread)

Featuring a raw CNC finish, because we all know that that’s gorgeous, the lightweight chassis is is designed as a flat-packable product, able to be shipped (somewhat) cheaply around the world – although tariffs may change that for you. Alongside the aluminium panels, One Works has also included carbon tubes in the construction – the aerospace inspiration is clear...

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[msystems]

It's a beauty

 

[msystems]

I dig it

 

[confusis]

Oh that's cool AF!

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

With an optional "converter" setup you could probably turn this into a traditional layout as well, for pure air cooling bliss, but also even side-mount an 280 or 240 AIO.

Looks-wise, I dig it, too. It's sitting right on the borderline between open frame and classic air-flow oriented case

cu, w0lf.

 

[MarcParis]

Very interesting concept!
Thanks for sharing it!

I'm just completing my answer/feedback.

• Basically your proposed design is similar than Sliger SM580, in more refined version..
• I suppose that the best point of your creation is the architecture flexibility.
• For GPU compatibility, at max, aim for 4 slots, up to 360m length is pretty neat. One very important point though, think of a locking mechanism (riser & gpu bracket) to adjust GPU position with fan just near the side panel. This is capital to optimize GPU airflow. Also for RTX FE model, it is great to leave empty space (20mm) between the motherboard and the GPU
• For the CPU cooling, , aim for the 78mm height for best cpu cooling in reduce size.
• In terms of motherboard size, why not making a version up to ATX?

I'm really curious how flexible your concept could be!

 

[One Works]

Wow, thanks for the write up on the main page confusis, was honestly shocked to see that when I came back to the site. Also thanks to everyone else for the kind words and feedback so far.

With an optional "converter" setup you could probably turn this into a traditional layout as well, for pure air cooling bliss, but also even side-mount an 280 or 240 AIO.

Looks-wise, I dig it, too. It's sitting right on the borderline between open frame and classic air-flow oriented case

cu, w0lf.

I have put some thought into making it fairly modular, with common components reused across different configurations. As mentioned, I’ve considered enclosed versions using the same side panels and a variation of the centre plate. I’d also thought about a traditional layout (mainly because I’ve been leaning towards a chunky air cooler for my own next build) but always pictured it as a separate design in the same theme.

That said, I’ll have a think about whether parts of the current design could carry over. I do worry about adding too much complexity in an effort to cover as many configurations as possible and driving cost up across the board. It’s a tough balance between flexibility and keeping it achievable. Definitely a lot to think about here.

Very interesting concept!
Thanks for sharing it!

I'm just completing my answer/feedback.

• Basically your proposed design is similar than Sliger SM580, in more refined version..
• I suppose that the best point of your creation is the architecture flexibility.
• For GPU compatibility, at max, aim for 4 slots, up to 360m length is pretty neat. One very important point though, think of a locking mechanism (riser & gpu bracket) to adjust GPU position with fan just near the side panel. This is capital to optimize GPU airflow. Also for RTX FE model, it is great to leave empty space (20mm) between the motherboard and the GPU
• For the CPU cooling, , aim for the 78mm height for best cpu cooling in reduce size.
• In terms of motherboard size, why not making a version up to ATX?

I'm really curious how flexible your concept could be!

I thought the best point was just looking cool encouraging to hear comments on the architecture too!

This was originally designed during the 30-series era. Looking back through the Fusion history, I did revise it last year with 40-series in mind, stretched GPU support to ~355 mm and opened up space above for the AIO. Given how big cards are now, 360 mm sounds like a good target.

We don’t get the FE models here so I hadn’t considered that flow-through design requirement. But you’re right, and many non-FE cards use it too, so leaving space behind makes sense.

Scaling up to ATX is possible. I’d just found a local supplier of 300 × 10 mm extruded flat bar which would be a more cost effective option for machining the panels than plate stock. Great fit for ITX (and maybe an air-cooled mATX version), but a touch too small for full ATX. The lack of ITX boards this generation, at least here in NZ does make me wonder if exploring at least mATX would be a good idea.

 

[Alloy Craft]

Looks great, love me some ISO grid. Personally I like small holes at the nodes for ISO grid pattern though, I think it adds something. I really like the infinitely adjustable spine design, however not sure how it is affixed in place. I think the design needs a front panel that matches the awesomeness of the side panels. There is a market for high end boutique chassis, just look at Xikii, their chassis are in the 1K price range and seem to be selling. As for the finish, you as a machinist/engineer may love the look of raw machined aluminum, I do too, but the majority of your customers will probably want it painted. Raw billet looks great fresh off of the machine but it never ages well as it oxidizes quickly, scratches easily, and finger prints can etch into it.

 

[One Works]

Looks great, love me some ISO grid. Personally I like small holes at the nodes for ISO grid pattern though, I think it adds something. I really like the infinitely adjustable spine design, however not sure how it is affixed in place. I think the design needs a front panel that matches the awesomeness of the side panels. There is a market for high end boutique chassis, just look at Xikii, their chassis are in the 1K price range and seem to be selling. As for the finish, you as a machinist/engineer may love the look of raw machined aluminum, I do too, but the majority of your customers will probably want it painted. Raw billet looks great fresh off of the machine but it never ages well as it oxidizes quickly, scratches easily, and finger prints can etch into it.

Yeah, I went back and forth on whether to add the holes. Originally I skipped them because they didn’t line up in useful mounting positions, but you’re right, visually they add something. I’ll include them in the next iteration to see how it feels. Definitely also keen to explore enclosed panel options for those who prefer that look.

For the spine, I tried a bunch of clamping designs, most ended up too bulky. Ultimately I decided to test a really simple approach: O-rings gripping the carbon tubes. It works well, but I’m still experimenting. Might circle back to clamping again if I can find a slim, elegant solution.

Thanks for pointing Xikii out. I remember seeing the FF04 when it came out, I think the ProArt variant was the first to come out or at least get wider attention. At the time I couldn’t imagine a case designed around a specific GPU being viable. Great to see they've continued on and developed more designs.

Absolutely right on the finish front. Raw aluminium would be a nightmare to keep in good condition. I’ve put scratches in a diamond-cut aluminium surface just by wiping it with an expensive microfiber cloth. I should have been clearer in my initial post: the plan is to go straight from machining to anodising (possibly electroless nickel as an option), without bead blasting or brushing, so the machining is highlighted but the surface is still protected.

The prototype in the photos was left raw because I later found out the specific grade of material I chose wasn't suitable for decorative anodising. A good lesson in reading the datasheet properly

 

[Alloy Craft]

I like the orings for keeping the spine in place, nice an simple, also cheap to do. Would love to see this chassis with some paint or anodize on it. I personally am a a fan of Cerakote though.

 

[mknrls]

this case amazing, very unique! the machining

 

[jaynamics]

Yeah, I went back and forth on whether to add the holes. Originally I skipped them because they didn’t line up in useful mounting positions, but you’re right, visually they add something. I’ll include them in the next iteration to see how it feels. Definitely also keen to explore enclosed panel options for those who prefer that look.

For the spine, I tried a bunch of clamping designs, most ended up too bulky. Ultimately I decided to test a really simple approach: O-rings gripping the carbon tubes. It works well, but I’m still experimenting. Might circle back to clamping again if I can find a slim, elegant solution.

Thanks for pointing Xikii out. I remember seeing the FF04 when it came out, I think the ProArt variant was the first to come out or at least get wider attention. At the time I couldn’t imagine a case designed around a specific GPU being viable. Great to see they've continued on and developed more designs.

Absolutely right on the finish front. Raw aluminium would be a nightmare to keep in good condition. I’ve put scratches in a diamond-cut aluminium surface just by wiping it with an expensive microfiber cloth. I should have been clearer in my initial post: the plan is to go straight from machining to anodising (possibly electroless nickel as an option), without bead blasting or brushing, so the machining is highlighted but the surface is still protected.

The prototype in the photos was left raw because I later found out the specific grade of material I chose wasn't suitable for decorative anodising. A good lesson in reading the datasheet properly

I would be interested in one, especially after you mentioned this, "the plan is to go straight from machining to anodising (possibly electroless nickel as an option), without bead blasting or brushing, so the machining is highlighted but the surface is still protected." I have always wanted a raw aluminum SFF case, but not thrilled with its upkeep. This could be a good compromise. Speaking as an Xikii owner.

 

[sergiiua]

I give it a standing ovation! I really like it.

 

[confusis]

Thread seems to have glitched, test post.

 

[confusis]

I've de-linked the article, and this seems to have fixed this thread. Apologies for the inconvenience - we've been implementing anti-DDOS protection and this thread, unfortunately, broke during config.

 

[One Works]

Finally got a chance to get back to this. Oh boy has the PC world changed since I last looked at this project. Memory prices making high end cases look cheap Will respond to comments tomorrow... technically later today since it's 1:30am as I write this haha.

For now, I just finished up some super rough concepts for "enclosed" variants (not sure if enclosed is fitting given how open the side panels are haha). One with Flat carbon panels, which could actually be made from a number of flat materials. Carbon, acrylic, aluminium... titanium And the other with Machined aluminium panels in a similar aerospace theme. Definitely not happy with the design of this option, but it gives an idea of the direction. The plan would be to have a number of common parts between the variants. Some pics from CAD of the variants below.

Still thinking about the layout and whether I change to mATX, or look at doing 2 options. I do worry about trying to do too much though.

 

[ignsvn]

Finally got a chance to get back to this. Oh boy has the PC world changed since I last looked at this project. Memory prices making high end cases look cheap Will respond to comments tomorrow... technically later today since it's 1:30am as I write this haha.

For now, I just finished up some super rough concepts for "enclosed" variants (not sure if enclosed is fitting given how open the side panels are haha). One with Flat carbon panels, which could actually be made from a number of flat materials. Carbon, acrylic, aluminium... titanium And the other with Machined aluminium panels in a similar aerospace theme. Definitely not happy with the design of this option, but it gives an idea of the direction. The plan would be to have a number of common parts between the variants. Some pics from CAD of the variants below.

Still thinking about the layout and whether I change to mATX, or look at doing 2 options. I do worry about trying to do too much though.

Oh boy how did I miss this. It's gorgeous, congrats!