Planning M-itx 'Jet orb'

Ive been here for a few years now so thought it was about time to undertake a mod of some sort. So ive put the diving suit on and jumped in at the deep end! The idea is M-itx, i5/i7, 5870 (possibly 5890) and 4+Tb of storage in something that looks distinctly UNbox-like.

Here we go then:

The plan is to have a 220mm Fan drawing air in at the front, over/through all the components and exiting at the rear through a smaller 120mm fan. Whilst trying my hardest not to limit the airflow with the components.

Im not sure if anybodies done this before, i havent looked. I just want a smallish comp that doesnt look like its a computer but with enough power to be used as a main rig, that can sit on the desk. (my cosmos S looks silly on the desk.)

So far i have, the interior skeleton designed that houses and supports all the major components, it is all going to be constructed from 3mm aluminium with a few billet sections for the Hd 'fins'. Sketchup sucks for fluid shapes but its all ive got im affraid

With all the parts installed it should look something like:

and a front shot:


All the cabling will be fed through the main case to the base and pass to connectors at the rear, the base will also hold a slimline slotload drive.

To get the look of the case i want and be able to fit all the hardware in, ive gone for something that resembles a jet engine, the renders a bit crappy it was my first attempt with kerky but i think it shows the final look im after, Its cut away to show that the skeleton fits inside. But the final thing will be a complete 'orb'.


Theres still alot to work out but the foundations of the project are there, its just tweaks. Im tryinh to find a company that can make the 'orb' out of sheet aluminium in 2 halves. I have a local company lined up to cut and bend all the skeleton section for me.

In theory everything fits (even a 5890) but im not sure whether im being too ambitious with the cooling, the plan should work but ive got no way of really knowing

 

That's awesome.

 

If you can pull this off, it would be an epic mod in deed.

 

Could you by any chance post the bare chassis somewhere?

 

Not really sure what you want but heres the shell, Big hole at the front is for the 220mm fan and the little hole at the rear is for the 120mm. You can see the power and 2 DVi connectors in the 'base' in the rear shot.

I want the rear of the base to be alot more 'round' but i was getting fed up of trying to get it right in sketchup

 

I would LOVE to see this finished!

 

This is looking awesome!

Yer sketchup can be a bitch with curves, I noticed there isn't any ports except for VGA and 2 USB's?

 

The ports on the back are 2 Dvi on the left and the power in on the right, the slotload drive will be at the front centre in the lower area of the base ill chuck 2/4 usb ports next to it. Atm im sorting our the blueprints for the metal shop to give me a fixed price.

I know the skeleton wont be a problem but ive still got doubts over being able to get the orb made how i want, i think the curve is too tight to press it in 2 halves. ive sent emails out to a few people that look like they 'could' achieve it, its just a waiting game now.

 

Sorry I meant could you post the sketchup file of the inside part not the orb somewhere please. Thanks.

 

That design is really cool. I like it.

 

Beautiful concept. I think the easiest way of forming the base and possibly the orb itself may be a lost form casting.

(make the case out of foam, pack it in green sand, give it a fill and a vent, and then pour molten aluminum into the form. the foam keeps the sand in shape, and the alu. vaporizes the foam on contact leaving you with your case made out of aluminum where the foam once was.)

It is alot of work but you will get exactly what you want, and with a bit of grinding, sanding and polishing you will have your museum piece.

 

I did think of that (i learnt the process at college a few years ago) the only reason im seeing if it can be 'stamped' in 2 halves is because it would be easier that way.

My other alternative is to have 18mm plywood laminated as block and then have it turned and hollowed on a lathe, similar to this

and then slice it in half on the bandsaw. I want ali but its an option

 

Stamping is going to be rough; afaik stamping (or forging) that shape is going to require a die to be made. ($$$$$$$) Another option, a huge pita mind you, would be to develop a flat pattern and then have it laser cut, formed and welded. (I do this on occasions for some customers at work, seems to turn out well but you need to know your sheet metal s*it)

 

If you can make a form, metal spinning might work. If the form can be sacrificed, you might be able to make it as one piece.

 

All else fails there is always making a mold and fiberglass form.

 

+1. Imo, that may be the best option when considering cost vs looks.