Scratch Build – In Progress Expedit | by Brodholm [XBMC & NAS]

Welcome!

I thought I would share a project I am doing on the side of my "model 01" project. ​

Concept
It is designed to act as a powerful media computer and NAS. The chassis is designed to be anonymous with a simple and clean design. It is made to fit in a IKEA Expedit shelf.



Feel free to ask me anything! And be sure to leave a comment on what you think!

 

Specifications

• The same size as a IKEA Expedit shelf.
• Can handle ATX form factor.
• Can handle long graphics cards.
• Six slots for 3.5" HDD
• Two slots for 2.5" SSD
• Can handle 160mm PSU
• Two 120mm fans takes fresh air from the front and blows it out in the back.

Components
Unclear right now.

 

Reserved again

 

I will start of the first update with some renders! Next update with some actual progress will follow soon.

 

I was originally not planing on doing a log for this project so I unfortunately did not take that many pictures of the work from flat aluminium sheets to folded and anodized parts. BUT I did these at the exact same time in my other log "model 01". So if you are interested in that process you can check it out there. It was done the same way. But after this I will be sure to take lots of photos!

 

The HDD-cage is really well designed

 

Huh. Nice idea with the integration into that unit. I might do something similar for my HTPC if I make it later this year Thanks for the inspiration!

 

Looking pretty trendy

 

It you put in a lot of HDDs they produce heat. Do you think they get enough cooling like this?

Anyway; great project AGAIN!
You must be very good at designing these things into a cuttable plan.

 

Great thinking. I know I have at least two places where this could go in my place.

 

Thanks! It is designed to fit with lian li's hdd mounting gourmets. So some of the design is borrowed from them. But there is a lot of modifications as well.

That is what I want to hear! I wish you all the best of luck with your project!

^^

Thanks man! This was acctually put together over a weekend before I sent the other project to the laser cutter. I was like "hmm, I may need a media computer also, maybe I should build one to".

About the HDD's, I think I will be fine to be honest. They will only be 5400rpm and they also hibernate when they are idle. And two 120mm fans should be able to take care of it anyway.

Thanks man!

This is probably something that some big case company could make into a profitable product. It is a really simple design that most people would have use of.

 

You Sir are Awesome!

 

Damn Andreas! I seriously love your design work!

 

Fantastic idea. I'll watch this one.

 

Awesome. Could even think of a start-up business model.
Build those in bigger numbers and you can build a nice server-rack that looks so much better. Should have a high wife-acceptance-factor too!

Sweet sweet sweet!

I will add though I'm not sold on the cooling solution. If you could measure some temps when in use that would be cool, I'd be very interested in that

 

Thanks a lot!

I have not tried with the cooling yet. But I think it will be sufficient. I will move over my current computer to this chassis probably (gtx 580, 2500k, 16gb ram, 4hdd's and a SSD.

Worst case scenario, I will have to get some lower wattage components.

But I hope and think that two, 120mm fans will do the job.

 

Very nice. This is beautiful work so far just like Model 01.

 

Thank you kind sir!

Can inform you that the next update will be this Friday. Editing pictures as I writing this!

 

Update #3 Sound Dampening Material

 

Oh WOW. I love this! I tend to agree about the cooling HOWEVER...

I'm running a similar cooling setup (2 x 120mm fans exhausting, no intakes), and CPU temps are fairly decent, even on the stock Intel fan. I would possibly try and add one or two fans at the front, just to encourage some fresh air into the front. The grille is already there, so perhaps some 80mm or 92mm fans behind it.

Just a thought, but your design work is awesome