Small aluminium gaming case (~18.5l)

[jeshikat]

How is the fastening system called that you used at Cerberus to attach the side panels? I have seen this often, also with other cases but I do not know how it is called

They go by different names: Ball stud & clip, pushpins, tool-less clips, pin & clip, etc. The compact ones used by Jonsbo and Lian Li are custom, so you can't get those unless the case is made by them.

Cerberus and the various CaseLabs cases use these: http://www.pencomsf.com/ball-studs-and-clips/

Unless you want the panels to be almost impossible to remove, I'd highly recommend only using the two weakest clips, and preferably the weakest ones.

 

[schmiran]

They go by different names: Ball stud & clip, pushpins, tool-less clips, pin & clip, etc. The compact ones used by Jonsbo and Lian Li are custom, so you can't get those unless the case is made by them.

Cerberus and the various CaseLabs cases use these: http://www.pencomsf.com/ball-studs-and-clips/

Unless you want the panels to be almost impossible to remove, I'd highly recommend only using the two weakest clips, and preferably the weakest ones.

Thanks a lot for the tip!

 

[schmiran]

@Aibohphobia I have seen a thread where someone from ncase posted u this parts:

http://www.pencomsf.com/self-clinching-hardware/self-clinching-studs/sa-concealed-head/
http://www.pencomsf.com/ball-studs-and-clips/bs11-female-thread-ball-studs/
http://www.pencomsf.com/ball-studs-and-clips/bsc-ball-stud-clips/

did u tested them? cause i cant see any other wich i can use without them shown at the side panel. Did i need any special tools to mount them?

I have a friend at my uni who will lasercut me the panels soon. So now i will check that every hole is where it should be hope i dont forget anything :-D

 

[jeshikat]

Cerberus is powder coated, which hides where the studs are pressed into the panel, so I never looked any further into concealed head studs.

Pressed-in hardware is designed to be installed with either a press or specialized machine (like a PEMSERTER) but you can use a cheap arbor press to install them too: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=226400

And if you are really desperate, I think you can use a C-clamp. The main thing is to not use a hammer, the quick impact does not allow for the metal to cold flow around the groove in the insert, so it won't hold in place tight.

 

[Ceros_X]

Thanks for that link, was looking yesterday for how to install PEMSERTs without a PEMSERTER.

 

[schmiran]

do u think its possible to glue a ballstud (female) to the side panel? i coud fill the hole with a screw and cut it to get better contact to the panel. i dont trust the "blind hole" think with the self clinching screw.. dont think i can get it in correct without the needed tools.

 

[jeshikat]

Maybe with some industrial/aerospace grade epoxy, but normal glue won't be enough.

 

[schmiran]

Hey, I have talked to a "glueexpert" he recommended me the

http://www.klebstoff-express.de/uhu-plus-endfest-300-tube-binder-tube-harter-33g.html?source=wkw

Sorry can't find it in english. In short, the product creates up to 30N/mm^2. The pins have a contact surface of approx. 30mm^2. Let's assume that the glue does not quite keep what he promises should be enough anyway? For the lightest clip I need 3.5N to pull out.

Everyone a nice weekend!

 

[jeshikat]

That looks like it is strong enough.

 

[schmiran]

Updates:

Jan 10 2017: Now with images!

Jan 13: Timelapse of the CAD modeling

Hey, was rly nice to see someone doing cad things who knows what he do :-D
I've seen how you designed the backpanel. I myself have a few problems with it. I have built a motherboard with correct dimensions (I think :-D), but have problems with the I/O cut out. The second problem is the cut out for the pci slots, have you a model of a pci card for two slots? Have seen you have many models, have you got a tip where I can get those with correct dimensions? PSU I have already built myself, with pci find no standards / specifications.

 

[blubblob]

I have built a motherboard with correct dimensions (I think :-D), but have problems with the I/O cut out. The second problem is the cut out for the pci slots, have you a model of a pci card for two slots? Have seen you have many models, have you got a tip where I can get those with correct dimensions? PSU I have already built myself, with pci find no standards / specifications.

You can find a lot of models in the "Resources" section of this very site. The GPU/MB/Slot Model was uploaded by @Aibohphobia here: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/resources/accurate-blank-motherboard-pcie-card-models.25/
https://grabcad.com/ is another good source for finding models of specific parts.

If you need the dimensions of components specced to a specific standard, it's usually possible to at least find a pdf document with the accurate dimensions to model of.

 

[jeshikat]

Part of the PCIe physical spec: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/resources/pcie-specification.67/

Accurate model of the motherboard and PCIe card as per the specs https://smallformfactor.net/forum/resources/accurate-blank-motherboard-pcie-card-models.25/

Motherboard and PSU specs http://www.formfactors.org/formfactor.asp

Some info on case design for motherboard and cards: http://www.protocase.com/pdf/How_to_design_enclosures_for_motherboard_based_systems_092010.pdf

 

[schmiran]

thanks guys again u helped me a lot! ill take a better look next time around here in the forum before i ask something

 

[schmiran]

Hey guys here a little update:

I have tried to be more accurate with this model. Thanks again for the reference with the components. The case now has a volume of: ~20l. I think I am quite satisfied with the positioning of the components and will now make the outsides :-)

 

[blubblob]

I'm not sure if you are still open to layout ideas or already set, but did you consider turning the GPU 90° with a short riser to create a staggered layout where the GPU partially occludes the mainboard?

The radiator on the top could be moved just slightly up and nudged over the dividing wall - you might be able to fit a 280mm rad that way (if it isn't already one) - which would slim your case by 50mm or so, shaving of ~4l volume in the process.

Imo a (see-through) GPU full cover waterblock is probably the nicest looking element in a watercooled system, but it's usually turned upside down so nobody can see it properly, which is a real bummer.

 

[schmiran]

Hey thanks for the idea!
At the beginning i was thinking about a vertical GPU but i don't like to cover the whole motherboard (woud be a shame to cover this nice looking mobo https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/ROG-Strix-Z270I-Gaming/overview/) and i could not find a good way to route the tubes around. I'll go for the https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-fc1080-gtx-acetal-nickel i like the clean look but yes u are right, nobody will see it :-D At the top is a 240 rad for the GPU and at the right side is a 120 for the CPU.
I have 30 mm clearance between the frame and the GPU right now because of the in and outlet of the GPU water block. Cause i need this clearance (i think, could not find measures of the block) there is no reason to move the radiator further backwards.

Where we just talk about cooling: I had problems to fit my previously planned pump and reservoir in the case. Have now found this one here http://www.xs-pc.com/water-pumps/ion-pumpreservoir. Has anyone experience with it?

 

[jeshikat]

Be sure to use the cutouts from the official specs, if you got those clips models from my Cerberus SketchUp file they're not very accurate.

 

[schmiran]

i made them my own based on this data http://www.pencomsf.com/ball-studs-and-clips/bsc-ball-stud-clips/. But thank u for the warning @Aibohphobia :-) for the second build i checked every measure twice found out that a lot parts i used before wasn't rly accurate and start now doing the most things myself. just using the nice motherboard and pci card from you i have had my problem doing the ball studs for the panels :-D

 

[jeshikat]

Yeah, many of the SketchUp computer parts floating around the internet aren't very accurate. Even some of the stuff in our Resources section can't be trusted for precision.

And I can't take credit for the motherboard/GPU reference model, it was made by Subtec and I uploaded here with permission.

 

[schmiran]

Hey guys, do u think a bend like this will work? I am planning to do this with a 20x20x2 mm aluminium L profile. The outer radius is 7mm. The hole is for a screw like this https://www.ganter-griff.de/de/prod...t-Griffen/DIN-464-Hohe-Raendelschrauben-Stahl which holds the glass panel.