Not solely does this orange and white PC construct look completely attractive, however it additionally makes use of a totally 3D-printed PC case. With intelligent use of a Minifactory Innovator, and two Ultimaker 2 Prolonged+ 3D printers, PC modder Antti Väisänen made a water-cooled PC construct that’s fully distinctive.
Because of our quickly rising PC constructing Fb web page, we’ve seen many customized gaming PCs, from mods primarily based on present case designs to scratch PC builds. You may even submit yours for consideration proper right here. Right here Antti guides us by means of the creation of his 3D-printed case.
The Factor is my second 3D-printed case, following the creation of AV3D, a machine I constructed for the Cooler Grasp Case Mod World Collection (CMWS) 2018 modding competitors. That was a much bigger ATX case however this time I needed to attempt one thing a little bit smaller.
The inspiration for this construct got here one night time following a dialog with my spouse. I’d stated I needed to make my very own mini-ITX case design however didn’t know what it ought to seem like, and he or she assured me I’d determine it out in my sleep.
Positive sufficient, the subsequent day I wakened and the design had come to me, so I hopped onto my laptop and began to attract. It took three lengthy weeks of drawing and 3D modeling however ultimately I got here up with the fundamental design.
At this level, I didn’t have any {hardware} or water-cooling parts, so I had a tricky time determining a number of the key case dimensions. Then it hit me like lightning out of a transparent sky; I did have one thing that I may use, however it simply occurred to be in my present PC.
There was an Alphacool 3 x 80mm radiator that I may measure, so I pulled my laptop to items and began to design the case to suit the radiator. Then I came upon that Alphacool has 3D fashions for his or her elements, so I destroyed my present laptop for nothing. You reside and be taught. After I discovered the 3D fashions, it was simple to put all the water-cooling elements in my mannequin and determine the ultimate case dimensions.
Though I used to be capable of finalize the size for the water-cooling parts, I nonetheless didn’t have a motherboard or graphics card, so I had to make use of some generic 3D fashions to determine the most effective structure. Fortunately, the important thing elements such because the mounting screws are standardized, and apart from graphics card size, there aren’t too many different elements of the design of those parts that varies an excessive amount of.
One of the crucial outstanding options of the case is its fan grilles that cowl the entrance consumption followers, the rear exhaust fan and the GPU exhaust on the facet. Determining what design to make use of for this took a very long time and scrolling by means of a whole bunch of pages of various designs. Finally, I settled by myself sample primarily based on a repeated three-arrow form.
One of the crucial troublesome issues to determine was a manner to make sure that you don’t have to connect any of the case’s elements collectively, and as a substitute every little thing could be taken aside simply. The entrance grille, as an example, is connected with recessed magnets whereas a number of of the panels are bolted collectively.
Selecting the colours used within the construct was one of many simpler decisions. White and orange are the colours we’ve chosen for the inside of our residence, so the brand new PC ought to match proper in. As for why it’s known as The Factor, after I began to jot down my undertaking logs for the construct, to doc my progress, I didn’t know what to name it, so the most effective I may give you was The Factor.
Selecting the elements
The essential structure of the case was prepared however I nonetheless didn’t have any {hardware} to place in it. So, I began to succeed in out to producers for assist with the elements. This took many months however I used to be so fortunate that Gigabyte/Aorus and TeamGroup joined to sponsor this construct, offering the GPU and motherboard, and SSD and reminiscence respectively. As for water cooling, I’ve teamed up with Alphacool many instances, and the water-cooling agency stepped as much as the plate as traditional.
I solely actually had one key requirement for the parts, which was for the GPU size to be excellent. Due to the best way the GPU sits on the facet of the case, I didn’t need it to be too small or too large however excellent. Fortunately, the Imaginative and prescient GeForce RTX 3060 that Gigabyte despatched match each the size necessities and the type of the case completely, so I didn’t have to alter my design for it.
This mod doesn’t have excessive {hardware} however I don’t want top-of-the-line parts with my day by day work and informal gaming. It is going to be simple to improve to a greater CPU if wanted, and there’s one spare M.2 slot for upgrading storage too. That’s why I put the 512GB drive within the again slot on the motherboard.
When it got here to the followers, I used ARCTIC P8 PWM PST 80mm fashions and so they work rather well on this construct. There are three followers on the radiator, that are daisy-chained collectively, in order that they use fewer cables, plus there’s one other fan within the again panel.
Let the printing start
My first prototype was printed in PLA plastic as a result of it’s simple to print and works positive as a prototype materials. I’m so fortunate as a result of I can use my office’s 3D printing gear – there’s one greater printer – the Minifactory Innovator, and two smaller Ultimaker 2 Prolonged+ printers. For these of you who’re excited about 3D printing, for this primary print I used a 0.5mm nozzle, 0.3mm layer top, 5 high/backside layers, a wall thickness of 1.5mm and 12 p.c infill.
Initially, I needed to print this case as one large half, with separate covers/grilles for the back and front, however the 3D printing time was over 70 hours, so I cut up the case in two elements. As I used to be printing the primary half there was a jam on the 3D printer’s nozzle, so the print got here out 16mm brief. This was irritating, however 3D printing isn’t at all times simple, so I simply needed to hold transferring.
After I completed the entrance a part of the case, I did a take a look at match of the water-cooling elements and so they slotted into place completely. Now was the time for the again half of the case and right here I took benefit of the lacking 16mm from the entrance. As an alternative of scrapping that piece and beginning once more, I merely made an orange spacer to fill the hole. The tip outcome was so good that I integrated it into the ultimate design.
Once I had all the 3D-printed elements prepared, it was time to test-fit every little thing, and sadly, there have been so many issues with the cable routing for the motherboard and GPU that I needed to do some main modifications. I additionally forgot so as to add an influence button, so it was again to the drafting board for that.
At this level, I had a recycling bin stuffed with prototype elements, however that was at all times going to be possible when designing a 3D-printed case from scratch. One week later, I virtually had a working mannequin however I nonetheless needed to resolve safe the 2 case halves collectively; because of the assistance of viewers on my worklog, I got here up with a plan for what can be simple to implement on the 3D mannequin.
With all of the prototyping and testing accomplished, it was time to print the ultimate model of the case. For this I used PETG, as a result of it’s simple to print and it could actually stand up to extra warmth than PLA. The PETG I used was ColorFabb Financial system white, which I selected for 2 causes: it has white shade and there’s 2.2kg materials per spool, so there’s lots to work with (because of all of the not-so-good take a look at prints, I used two of those spools).
It was a nerve-wracking 36-hour await the print, only for the one half of the case, however the print got here out good and I used to be so completely satisfied of the tip outcome. A bit of extra assured, I then set the print going for the opposite half solely to return the subsequent morning to search out that the print was so unhealthy I needed to bin it. Fortunately, it solely took yet another try and get nearly as good a print because the entrance half.
The orange elements of the construct have been simple to print as a result of virtually all off the elements have been flat and small. I used each PLA and PETG for them, as these elements aren’t as structurally essential.
The meeting
My plan was to color the case, however because the print high quality and shade was so good, I modified my thoughts and used the elements as they have been. There was some cleansing as much as do first, similar to eradicating the help materials, which I did with a pointy knife. There are a few imperfections on the prints however it didn’t hassle me an excessive amount of and extra essential to me is now you may see the layer traces, so you understand it’s 3D printed.
Lastly, it was time to assemble the PC, and I used to be so nervous that I had forgotten one thing. The construct order for this case was very precise so there was loads of room for errors. First, I added the water-cooling parts to the entrance a part of the case. I used mushy tubing on the within as a result of it’s simpler and I feel safer that manner.
Subsequent, the 2 elements have been joined collectively. Due to the place the motherboard is positioned, I needed to join all of the cables and route them to the again facet of the motherboard. The match was so tight that I needed to lower away a bit of the motherboard’s metallic again panel.
Cable administration was onerous as a result of the case isn’t large on the within, however I ultimately managed to neaten the cables, and so they don’t block airflow. Hardline tubing was up subsequent, and this was my first time doing hardline tubing, so I used to be additional nervous.
Fortunately, there have been solely two 90-degree turns, so there wasn’t a whole lot of problem with regard to tube bending. After a profitable leak take a look at, I used to be relieved to be nearing the ending line for this construct.
The following few levels have been to suit the entrance grille and the grille on the again of the graphics card. These are secured with magnets, so it’s a pleasant and straightforward solution to get inside to the case if I must service something. Final however not least, the graphics card was put instead and I’d completed my very own 3D-printed mini-ITX case.
The Factor
Constructing The Factor had its ups and downs, however as a result of it’s really easy to make prototypes and alter the design when 3D printing, this made the entire course of simpler. I’m not an knowledgeable 3D modeler or 3D printer however I’ve realized a lot working with this case and received a lot of assist from viewers on my undertaking log. For this undertaking, I used Autodesk Fusion 360 and Microsoft 3D Builder (you could snort at me utilizing such primary software program however it’s simple to make use of for making primary fashions).
Utilizing 3D printing is such a great way to get into case modding as a result of not everybody can entry laser slicing or metallic retailers able to making the designs we would like. I’m fortunate that I can use my office 3D printers to do my mods, and so they’re costly printers, however even primary printers can get the job accomplished. You simply want persistence and plenty of filament.
Total, I’m more than happy with the tip results of this mod. It has additionally featured in mod of the month competitions on each bit-tech and builds.GG, which I’m very completely satisfied about. There are some things I would do otherwise subsequent time although.
The obvious one is that I didn’t suppose so as to add a straightforward solution to drain the water-cooling loop, in order that’s going to be enjoyable when it comes time to present the system a clear. As for my subsequent mod, I’ve teamed up with Jonsbo, so one thing cool is incoming and I’m so excited to lastly use wooden filament.
The Factor 3D printed PC specs
- Sponsors: Alphacool, Gigabyte, Aorus, TeamGroup
- Case: Customized-made, 3D printed
- CPU: Intel Core i5-11400F
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z590I Aorus Extremely
- Graphics card: Gigabyte Imaginative and prescient GeForce RTX 3060
- Reminiscence: 16GB Teamgroup Darkish Z
- PSU: SilverStone SST-SX650-G (SFX)
- Storage: 512GB Teamgroup T-Drive Cardea Zero Z340 SSD
- Cooling: Customized water cooling with Alphacool elements
We completely love this construct by Antti Väisänen – the clear traces and distinctive chassis look excellent, and we’re amazed that the entire thing was 3D printed.
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