Scratch Build – In Progress Project Orryx: Externally watercooled cube (update 2)

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by xyr-gts, 22 Feb 2015.

  1. xyr-gts

    xyr-gts What's a Dremel?

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    Hey Bit-Tech, long time lurker, first time poster.

    This is my second case project but, it is my first scratch build and first foray into custom water cooling loops.


    Project Orryx is a externally water cooled mATX case consisting of a 12"x12"x12" primary case containing the computer itself, and a secondary 8"x12"x12" companion case powered and controlled by the primary containing the radiators, reservoir, and pump.

    The two cases are connected with quick disconnect tubing for the water as well as a power/data cable for the secondary case's fans, pump and also control fan speeds/read pump flow.

    Before getting started I drew everything up in AutoCAD Inventor, I scrapped several other ideas before settling on the two piece design.

    Primary Case
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    Secondary Case
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    My current plan is to anodize the cases black with a sandblasted texture.

    Hardware and purchased components list:
    -Lian-Li mATX Motherboard Tray
    -Case Labs 2X 3.5 HDD cage
    -2X Hardware Labs 240 SR-1 Radiators
    -Swiftech MCP655 Pump
    -Aquacomputer Aquatube Resevoir
    -Koolance Quick-Disconnect Fittings
    -Koolance flow meter
    -Koolance flow to fan rpm converter
    -Danger Den GTX570 waterblock
    -4X Noctua NF-N12 Fans for radiators
    -4x Noctua NF-S12B Redux for Case
    -4X Amphenol Industrial Circular connectors
    -ASUS M5A78L-M Motherboard (Replacement for my current full size ATX board)

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    I still need the CPU waterblock, remaining standard fittings, tubing, a whole mess of cable sleeving, and possibly several other things I haven't thought of yet. Suggest something!!! :D

    And to prove the project is actually active, all the major frame pieces cut and taken to length. I'll try to get another little update out maybe tomorrow.
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    Last edited: 27 Feb 2015
  2. Ygd3n

    Ygd3n What's a Dremel?

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    This will be intressting. I like the use of thick aluminium for the frame!
     
  3. storm-83

    storm-83 Minimodder

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    "companion case" sounds so wrong!

    othervise i'm intruiged!
    and subbed
     
  4. xyr-gts

    xyr-gts What's a Dremel?

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    Update 1

    Going to finish catching up to where I actually am with the project as well as some new progress.

    The major frame pieces are complete for the primary case, so now I have a nice looking albeit empty cube. :D

    The frame consists of 3 different styles allowing the aluminum angle to all mesh together nicely in the corners.

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    Because my time in the shop is so limited (3 hours on Wednesdays :sigh:) Instead of stopping periodically while machining parts to take pictures I've opted to set my GoPro to shoot a time-lapse of the night.


    So that is where I am in the metalwork area. I'm trying to get code ready for the secondary case parts so I can run them in the VMC this coming Wednesday.

    Now that I'm caught up, tonight I wired up one end of the interconnect cable, I wont be able to put the other plug on until I get sleeveing and turn new shrouds for the back of the plugs.

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    The part I'll be replaceing with my own design

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    It's total overkill but... :rock:

    LOL! thanks!
     
  5. xyr-gts

    xyr-gts What's a Dremel?

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    Update 2


    Another productive night in the shop, got the VMC set up in about 30 minutes, and all 12 primary frame parts for the secondary case milled, drilled, and tapped in 2 hours. I need to do a little manual work on one of the Bridgeports to put the finishing touches on a few of the parts.

    I didn't have time to hand write the code for some of the milling cycles near the end and opted to get the code from Mastercam. I can get the code and be able to run it significantly faster than if I wrote my own tool-paths. The drawback is Mastercam usually generates grossly inefficient code that spends a lot of time cutting air. Oh well. :yawn:

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