Hey everyone, I'm hoping your vast knowledge of manufacturing and designing cases can help me out here! I personally am enamored by the sleek anodized aluminum shells that Lian Li and Jonsbo do so well. I really love how there are no visible fasteners on the front, which allows for a cohesive and minimalist design.
I want to mirror this clean aesthetic in my own projects, yet am stuck on how case manufacturers can implement threads into their panels (particularly the front) without them being visible from the outside. A great example of this hidden threading is the Jonsbo U3.
If you look on the inside, you can see mounting screws that hold the drive caddy as well as the side structural/side panel bracket to the front panel.
However, upon looking at the front, it is clear that you cannot see the fasteners. I've highlighted roughly where the traces of fasteners would be, yet it is blank.
So what fasteners can I use?
For the most part, I've only been looking at Pemnet so far.
Fasteners that I've eliminated/am pretty sure will not work.
Fasteners that might work
If I were to guess based on photos, Jonsbo uses some possibly custom concealed head standoffs (maybe 3 or 4mm), and then uses M3 screws + o-rings to secure inner brackets to the front panel. Thanks!
I want to mirror this clean aesthetic in my own projects, yet am stuck on how case manufacturers can implement threads into their panels (particularly the front) without them being visible from the outside. A great example of this hidden threading is the Jonsbo U3.
If you look on the inside, you can see mounting screws that hold the drive caddy as well as the side structural/side panel bracket to the front panel.
However, upon looking at the front, it is clear that you cannot see the fasteners. I've highlighted roughly where the traces of fasteners would be, yet it is blank.
So what fasteners can I use?
For the most part, I've only been looking at Pemnet so far.
Fasteners that I've eliminated/am pretty sure will not work.
- Standard Profile Self Clinching Nuts (You need a through hole for both panels and it sticks out)
- Flush Self Clinching Nuts (It doesn't stick out, but still needs a through hole and can't be covered up)
Fasteners that might work
- Blind Threaded Standoffs (Although they're too long (6mm min, when I need something like 3), can mount flush into the front panel, and can be powdercoated over)
- Concealed Head Standoffs (Again, too long, 6mm min)
- Spotfast Metal-Metal Fastener (This looks like a good bet, as you can install the flush mount side on the inside of the case (against another bracket you want to secure), and can be installed blind into the second sheet (the front panel), as per pg. 2 of the literature. However, I have two problems with these. 1, it is permanent, and Jonsbo doesn't do that. 2, it is hard to mount these once you bend the front panel, as the anvil could conflict with your bends. I've attached a photo for reference.)
If I were to guess based on photos, Jonsbo uses some possibly custom concealed head standoffs (maybe 3 or 4mm), and then uses M3 screws + o-rings to secure inner brackets to the front panel. Thanks!