Bonsai - World's First Bamboo Case - 5.8L SFF Case

auux

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Sep 8, 2018
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Introducing Bonsai


Built with the environment in mind, its entire outer shell is made purely of bamboo. Eco-friendly, size, performance and elegance were the main inspiration behind Bonsai.

FOZ3rDh.jpg


Aside from using bamboo, material minimalism was considered into the design. Four pieces of material complete the case (excluding fasteners and brackets).

Craftsmanship and quality are very important to us. All bamboo production is done in-house and is hand finished. Bamboo is both CNC milled and laser cut. The vent patterns are randomly generated based on Voronoi diagrams, making each case one of a kind. The idea was to mimic cells and embrace a more organic look while making each case unique in its own right.

9Wixwt6.jpg



The dimensions (excluding screw extrusions) are 5.25”x7.075”xx9.65” (WXDxH) or 133.5mm x 180mm x 245.5mm. The goal was to have a small footprint that doesn't extend past the base of a monitor.


Currently, it fits m-itx motherboards, itx sized (6.7") graphics card, 50mm height CPU cooler. and sfx sized PSUs.

yYf9E5D.jpg

Picture above is a real prototype. Banana for reference.

While it still requires a bit more fine-tuning, we hope to get some advice and comments from the community regarding our progress so far.

https://imgur.com/a/ei8ufH0
e3qPtn6.mp4


Thanks!,

Ben Li
 
While I like the idea of bamboo, I think the styling on the edges and intake mesh area kind of turns me away. Not crazy about the front cuts either.

A wood case is something that's always piqued my interest, for me it'd have to showcase the natural wood pattern itself, not so much styling it up geometry. Usually more minimalism draws more people in too. So a bit more minimal perhaps? Internal layout wise, seems like an MI-6 which I like.
 
This is basically a copy of the MI-6 right?
I like it except for the edges—those mesh looking pillars along the edges look ugly to me.
The power button will probably be in the way of the Gigabyte GTX 1070 and 1080 mini itx cards.
Does it have any internal fans like the MI-6? How many 2.5” ssd’s can it fit? What material is the inner frame made out of? Please tell me it’s not aluminum, or that at least you have steel inserts for where the screws go.
Also, is there good ventilation on the top? Without any vents on the front, the top will need a lot of ventilation.
 
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Was ESD precaution taken into consideration ? I would assume Wood won't generate much ESD since it's close to Zero on the chart but still, is it painted with some ESD paint or whatever ?
 
Was ESD precaution taken into consideration ? I would assume Wood won't generate much ESD since it's close to Zero on the chart but still, is it painted with some ESD paint or whatever ?
components would be grounded through the psu.
 
Just to clarify my last comment about this case, I am happy to see another case with this layout. I think it really is in a sweet spot between size, performance, and silence, as long as it has enough ventilation and as long as they keep making high performance short graphics cards.
I really like the look of the bamboo and the design of the front panel.
And this would be one of those rare cases where a Noctua fan would match anything.
 
components would be grounded through the psu.

Once they are secured into case but during installation seems like ESD event could happen as you don't need to touch surface to transfer ESD, anything within 12 inch may damage electronics if ESD happens.
Anyway again, wood is safer than most surface but I'm curious to know if any precaution were taken.
 
I'll wait to hear how fragile the grid/latices bits are before this becomes an option.
 
Once they are secured into case but during installation seems like ESD event could happen as you don't need to touch surface to transfer ESD, anything within 12 inch may damage electronics if ESD happens.
Anyway again, wood is safer than most surface but I'm curious to know if any precaution were taken.
so plug in the psu, leave it off and ground yourself or use an anti-static mat during assembly, stay the fuck off carpet, etc etc. not all environments have static issues either.
 
Introducing Bonsai

Banana for reference.

The fastener on the lower back confuses me, as it would be penetrating the PSU...

That is not a banana, but a bottle of Coke...?

I also would register a vote against the corner perforations, but I am guessing they are a product of making the wrap-around outer panels work...?
 
More pictures, including internal layout, will be release soon while I update the case to the current renders. I appreciate all the praise and well constructed criticism from everyone!


This is basically a copy of the MI-6 right?
I like it except for the edges—those mesh looking pillars along the edges look ugly to me.
The power button will probably be in the way of the Gigabyte GTX 1070 and 1080 mini itx cards.
Does it have any internal fans like the MI-6? How many 2.5” ssd’s can it fit? What material is the inner frame made out of? Please tell me it’s not aluminum, or that at least you have steel inserts for where the screws go.
Also, is there good ventilation on the top? Without any vents on the front, the top will need a lot of ventilation.

Although this closely resembles the MI-6, it was made and designed before MI-6 was announced (assuming late 2015). Prototypes were made for Intel for a tradeshow in early 2015. There was a hiatus but now i'm back with a full tank of steam :)
The power button has clearance except installation requires a bit of a work around. Right now the internal frame is aluminum but i'm considering steel once it goes into production. It's extruded holes (increases material thickness) and form tapped (not cut) which gives it extra strength.
Not internal fans and it can fit 2 x 2.5" ssds. There is top and bottom ventilation.

Was ESD precaution taken into consideration ? I would assume Wood won't generate much ESD since it's close to Zero on the chart but still, is it painted with some ESD paint or whatever ?
All the components are connected to a aluminum frame. Strapping yourself into during installation is always a good habit though.

I'll wait to hear how fragile the grid/latices bits are before this becomes an option.
Then living hinges are custom designed and optimized by myself. They are especially durable. I'll post a video along with internal pictures when I finish updating to the new design shown in renders. Also the vent designs are parametric and are randomly generated for every case. So if anyone wishes than can have a smaller cell size as well as thicken cell walls.

The fastener on the lower back confuses me, as it would be penetrating the PSU...

That is not a banana, but a bottle of Coke...?

I also would register a vote against the corner perforations, but I am guessing they are a product of making the wrap-around outer panels work...?
PSU is offset to the back panel. The fasteners on the back attach to the frame and not the PSU.

Yes they are living hinges. The entire shell (front, left, back right) is one solid piece of bamboo. If there are enough complaints I can change the design to what I was thinking for a aluminum model. Personally I like it and most people who've seen it IRL have enjoyed how unique it is. A great conversation starter actually.

When bananas ripen they turn dark? Also become sweeter and carbonated? I thought it would provide a better reference.

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Thanks for all the replies guys! Love the responses so far. I'll be updating with real pictures of the outside and internals once I finish fabrication and get some new parts!
 
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