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Case Mod - In Progress Official Star Trek Case Mod: "TRICORDER CHIC" Listed on Ebay by Winner for $8,000...

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by mnpctech, 2 Jun 2011.

  1. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    A Star Trek case mod theme that will be stylish.. Er, I mean Chic! and we've only got 12 days to get it finished!

    edit: Deadline extended to July 1st, for both cases!

    Maximum PC has a presence at Comic-Con every year as an outreach opportunity—to let the hardcore comics and sci-fi fans know that PC enthusiasm goes hand-in-hand with that kind of fandom. This year we’re using our booth as an opportunity to show the fans at Comic-Con how awesome a great case-mod can be and how PC geekery and sci-fi enthusiasm can meet in a beautiful way. So we’ve hired the best guys in the business to design and build an awesome Star Trek-themed PC, and we’ll be giving one away at Comic-Con and the other one will go to David Gerrold in exchange for some writing he’s doing for us in relation to Comic-Con. - Nathan Edwards, Senior Associate Editor

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    Conceptual Designer: Mike Okuda is graphic designer who has worked on Star Trek series since the 1980s and is responsible for much of its visual style, including the LCARS interface as seen on Next Generation.


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    Matt Jefferie's original design of the Tricorder served as Mike's inspiration for styling cues on the "Tricorder Chic" computer case design. We could have scratch built a PC that looked just like the Tricorder, but David wanted an actual computer case instead with specific utilitarian features like hot swap bays and a compartment for his Tribbles.

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    3D design of "Tricorder Chic" by Dave LaLopa

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    Top panel and storage compartment

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    Top panel will be milled from 2" thick 6061 aluminum

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    This Lancool K-58, manufactured by Lian Li will sacrifice it's chassis to this project.

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    Lancool K-58 chassis will be painted Matte Black Enamel.

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    Using Rounded side hand file to smooth the cut edges.

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    Using Red Scotch-Brite pad to scuff the surface in preparation for Primer base coat.

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    Lancool K58 chassis painted Matte Black Enamel (1 for david, 1 for comic-con)
    Machined aluminum computer case feet, http://www.mnpctech.com/ITX_MATX_Computer_Case_Feet.html

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    Machined aluminum computer case feet with grooved edges.

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    Black anodized thumbscrews, http://www.mnpctech.com/thumbscrew.html

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    Black PSU and fan wires cable sleeve kit

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    Cable Management Grommets, http://www.mnpctech.com/PC_Cable_Rubber_Routing_Grommets.html

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    The aluminum feet are machined on CNC Lathe, http://www.mnpctech.com/ITX_MATX_Computer_Case_Feet.html

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    The bare aluminum is nice contrast to the Matte Black.

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    #10 x 5/8" Black Oxide Fan Screws, http://www.mnpctech.com/thumbscrew.html

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    Screws will be used in conjunction with fan silencing rubber grommets, http://www.mnpctech.com/FanGrommet.html

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    #10 x 5/8" Black Oxide Fan Screw inserted in rubber grommet

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    We are installing Yate Loon Blue LED 140mm cooling fan

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    http://www.mnpctech.3dpixelnet.com/picture_library/star_trek_computer_pc_case_mod9z5.jpg

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    Lian Li Tool-Less PCI Card Holder, 7 x PCI Holder. Works with many Lian Li cases or other modified cases. Specifications: Tool-Less PCI Card Holder, 7 x PCI Holder. Designed for Most of Lian Li Cases. Dimension (W)70mm x (H)145mm x (D)30mm


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    Add your own Caption!!! :clap:

    6/7/11

    Worked on the side panel pre-assembly today> The inner wall of the steel panel needs to be painted Black.

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    Updated 6/22/11, http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=210616&page=5

    The first of 2 lower half of the front bezel is finished. Next step is making the upper half and the compartment door covers.

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    I'll be sleeving the Sentry this Silverstone FP34S Premium 3.5inch Bay Card Reader & Front I/O combo module with our Black PSU and fan wires cable sleeve kit for everything. (8 mil PolyEthylene Terepthalate (PET) monofilament yarns)

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    Finished the front Hot Swap bay compartment doors last night. These will be hinged with 1/8" rod. The 1/8" Opaque Red acrylic plates will attach to the back side of the door. Still need to make door handles.

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    still need to make upper half of bezel, top panel, front grill, emblem and david's name plate.

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    Surething, doing those this afternoon. I did finish the side panel inlays last night

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    the Mill has a Belly ache....

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    Here is the entire front bezel assembly. The Silverstone FP34S Premium 3.5inch Bay Card Reader & Front I/O combo module mounts at 45 degree angle in the top panel. It's held in place with m3 set screws, inserted into countersunk holes on each side of the top panel. David chose this model mainly for it's card reader and headphone jack. It's from performance-pcs here It will be mounted in the new top panel.

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    Upper portion of the front bezel attaches to the top panel with "key" style fasteners for 8/32 machine screws..

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    David's signature name plate..

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    hey guys! :D 1st one arrived safely to Maximum PC Magazine's offices today... will ship 2nd with tribbles on Monday.. Here are final photos of 1st one before packing it.


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    Last edited: 15 Dec 2011
  2. zeBriukas

    zeBriukas What's a Dremel?

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    This will be badass :D
     
  3. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    This is going to be interesting, especially with the time scale on it.
     
  4. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Thanks for tuning in guys!

    the chassis was piece of cake, the shell, well, thats where things get interesting...heh
     
  5. jrs77

    jrs77 Modder

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    Sure :D

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    StarTrek themed case is allways welcome ;)
     
  6. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Awesome!!! ROFL!

    Ok, I couldn't help myself and found another...

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  7. jrs77

    jrs77 Modder

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    I could do such things all day long :D

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  8. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    IT'S MODDING JIM BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT.
     
  9. Nanosec

    Nanosec absit iniuria verbis

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    Damnit Jim, I'm a Doctor not a PC Enthusiast !!

    This is looking epic, would be nice if they also hired you to do a scratch build of a tricorder like what was mentioned in the article.

    Sub'd
     
  10. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Nice one Jeff!

    Would have loved to Nano!
     
  11. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    "No, Jim. I don't want to know how many speeds it has."

    Good! You got everything sorted out finally.:D It should be fun to see you mill some REAL billet this time.


    Edit: For the 2nd pic: "I hate him because my wife had a checkered-colored baby!"

    ...I'm going to hell.
     
    Last edited: 3 Jun 2011
    Warsmith likes this.
  12. Warsmith

    Warsmith Enginseer

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    Was the kid's name Chess-ter? :eyebrow:
     
  13. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    LOL! nice ones guys :thumb:

    I'm picking up following material list today.... 6061 aluminum

    1.938 thick x 18.1875 x 8.25 (2 pieces)
    1.5 thick x 8.25 x 5.906 (2 pieces)
    1.4375 thick x 14.969 x 8.25 (2 pieces)
    .4375 thick x 21.25 x 21.125 (4 pieces)
    .25 thick 1.625 x .3125 (2 pieces)
    .125 thick x 8.875 x 7 (2 pieces)
    .125 thick x 20.5 x 20.375 (4 pieces)
    .125 thick x 8.578 x 7.5 (2 pieces)
    .125 thick x 1.82 x 1.11 (2 pieces)
    .125 thick x 8.1875 x 3.219 (2 pieces)

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  14. AnG3L

    AnG3L Ultimate Modder

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    LoL loved the last one!! Cant wait to see what you up to Bill! For sure it will rock! :)
     
  15. MadFusionMedia

    MadFusionMedia What's a Dremel?

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    Looking good!
     
  16. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Thanks for tuning in guys! :thumb:

    We will be swapping the hardware from NZXT's 5.25 bay Sentry Fan Controller into the top cover, available from performance-pcs, here

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    E.E.L Ambiense is having fun with making captions too!

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  17. kier

    kier -----------------

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    12 days??? 24/7 mod challenge :clap:
    Love the Lian Li card holders :thumb:
     
  18. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    haha, it just might turn into all nighters the last few days
     
  19. Warsmith

    Warsmith Enginseer

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    Monster "B.F.C." I.V.'s on stand-by!
     
  20. Guest-56605

    Guest-56605 Guest

    You'll be finished long before my Phantom build Bill :hehe: :lol: :hehe: :duh:

    I'm so looking forward to this one :dremel: :thumb:
     

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