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Closed for now. Slammed with other projects. When I reopen this project I will be going in a slightly different direction. Thanks all for your input! I'll be sure to keep you all posted. 
INTRO
[H]i folks! Inspired by my interactions with people these forums and locally, I set out to start my own company: M3 Case Designs, where my goal is to offer unique fabrication services to enthusiasts by an enthusiast. So I built a CNC plasma cutter, purchased a brake press and some other used equipment and got to work. Having spent the last 6 years as a Manufacturing Engineer (and many more years Lord willing) I'm taking what I've learned and applying it in smaller scale. As always I appreciate the feedback, support and honesty from [H] members and your extensive knowledge in your perspective areas of expertise.
CONCEPT
Rather than chase the ever elusive "perfect case", the idea here with the M3A1 case is to offer a base model and give you modular options to add or subtract features. This way you can have the case you want and need for your specific taste and requirements. Configure it how you want it. Build your "perfect case", so to speak. And you're not limited to a list of options. If you think of it, I can probably make it. Or damned if I won't give it my best!
SPECS
M3A1, aptly named as the first case model being offered, is a small all aluminum. (Fun fact: It also coincidentally shares the same designation as the famous "grease gun" used by Allied Forces during WWII). Designed to be reconfigured with various hard drive brackets, face plates, power supply locations and side panels, it's meant to customized. No Dremel required
The specifications may vary as the prototype takes shape, but here are the preliminaries:
Standard Features:
This work log will follow the development and fabrication of the M3A1 prototype. The CNC plasma cutter is dialed in, I've got a pallet of aluminum sheets and all the Solidworks designing for round one is complete (and I'll be honest, the chassis is already cut, bent and riveted together as we speak ).
Stay tuned!
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UPDATES:
UPDATE 4: Variations; 1/2/2013
Happy new years everyone! I haven't forgotten this project. But I have been reevaluating things and looking at a few different layouts. In addition to the cube style case I'm looking at making something along the size and layout of a console system.
Here's a rough idea of what I'm chewing over now:
On the left is M3A1 as originally built (see OP). Next over is a shorter version of M3A1. Then we have a slim layout and a slightly less slim layout. I'll share more as I think through these and get feedback from you all.
----------------------------------------------------------
Previous Updates:
INTRO
[H]i folks! Inspired by my interactions with people these forums and locally, I set out to start my own company: M3 Case Designs, where my goal is to offer unique fabrication services to enthusiasts by an enthusiast. So I built a CNC plasma cutter, purchased a brake press and some other used equipment and got to work. Having spent the last 6 years as a Manufacturing Engineer (and many more years Lord willing) I'm taking what I've learned and applying it in smaller scale. As always I appreciate the feedback, support and honesty from [H] members and your extensive knowledge in your perspective areas of expertise.
CONCEPT
Rather than chase the ever elusive "perfect case", the idea here with the M3A1 case is to offer a base model and give you modular options to add or subtract features. This way you can have the case you want and need for your specific taste and requirements. Configure it how you want it. Build your "perfect case", so to speak. And you're not limited to a list of options. If you think of it, I can probably make it. Or damned if I won't give it my best!
SPECS
M3A1, aptly named as the first case model being offered, is a small all aluminum. (Fun fact: It also coincidentally shares the same designation as the famous "grease gun" used by Allied Forces during WWII). Designed to be reconfigured with various hard drive brackets, face plates, power supply locations and side panels, it's meant to customized. No Dremel required
The specifications may vary as the prototype takes shape, but here are the preliminaries:
Standard Features:
- All aluminum, black textured powder coat finish (custom colors available)
- USB3.0
- Compact, portable and rugged
- Fits 11.5" graphics card
- Two (2) 2.5" drives + one (1) 3.5" drive
- Two (2) 120mm fan locations (front and side)
- 145mm CPU cooler overhead clearance (with front mounted SFX PSU configuration)
- SFX or ATX power supply (SFX front or rear, ATX rear only)
- Desktop or mini tower orientation (set on it's bottom or sides)
- Vertical orientation (rear panel UP)
- Custom lengths (more or less GPU length capacity)
- More HDD brackets in lieu of graphics card
- Custom face plate (HD Audio, USB3.0, LED ring power button, or completely clean/blank)
- Extended mATX version
- Extended full custom water loop version
- Engraving and custom cutouts
This work log will follow the development and fabrication of the M3A1 prototype. The CNC plasma cutter is dialed in, I've got a pallet of aluminum sheets and all the Solidworks designing for round one is complete (and I'll be honest, the chassis is already cut, bent and riveted together as we speak
).Stay tuned!
----------------------------------------------------------
UPDATES:
UPDATE 4: Variations; 1/2/2013
Happy new years everyone! I haven't forgotten this project. But I have been reevaluating things and looking at a few different layouts. In addition to the cube style case I'm looking at making something along the size and layout of a console system.
Here's a rough idea of what I'm chewing over now:
On the left is M3A1 as originally built (see OP). Next over is a shorter version of M3A1. Then we have a slim layout and a slightly less slim layout. I'll share more as I think through these and get feedback from you all.
----------------------------------------------------------
Previous Updates:
This is the prototype as it sits now. I've cut the front, rear and side panels as well as the motherboard tray. They went together quite nicely and just with a few rivets in it is extremely rigid and sturdy. It's cut from 0.063" (1.6mm) 5052H32 aluminum sheets; a nice aluminum to work with. There are a few things I have noticed already and I've changed the *.sldprts and update the NC files so they will be fixed in the next run. For now, I'll move forward with cutting the additional brackets and covers and see what other changes to add to the punch list.
I've started developing the vertical stance version of M3A1. This setup is popular for it's limited use of desktop (small footprint) and excellent thermodynamics with the "chimney effect" (i.e. heat rises). The chassis itself remains unchanged, but it sits on a base and is topped with a cover for all the cables.
I cut the 2.5" SSD/HDD bracket and set it in the case for a quick test fit. Like a glove! I'm going to change this bracket to also hold a 3.5" on the backside.
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