Scratch Build – In Progress Project: Plexius

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Hello Bittech Casemodders and readers!

The name: Plexius
Acryl names in Belgium plexi.
Since the case is made out plexi,(acryl) I decided to give him the name Plexius.(acrylius)

Here you have me again. (airpress from the small country Belgium)
I don't know if you know me anymore, but I have made a mod called "GreenPoison" a few months ago.
Also posted here on bit-tech.

Today I'm back with a total new project called "Plexius".
This casebuild will be construct just out plexi panels.(acryl panels)
A few weeks ago, I was drawing the hole concept on PC. Drawed with Autocad 2008.
After everything was drawed, I gave all the pieces off the case a material.
So if they will be rendered with Autocad , it will look like plexiglass.

Here you have the case rendered.


front


back
Dimensions are:
Hight: 385mm
width: 360mm
Depth: 360mm

Such as your probably sees is that the case (bolted) will be constructed entirely from plexiglas.
To glue the acyrl panels together, I have bought glue for acyrlic made by Pattex. The glue has
a tensil strength of 170kg/cm ². The glue I'm talking about is epoxy.
The fans are not 120mm' s but 92mm.

Something about the harddisks.
The harddisk will be placed inside a slit. Don't know if its the correct word.
The next drawing will make it clear.



Airpress.

PS:
Later this evening I will post the first progress!

 

This afternoon I maked the front panel off the case.
I did the most saw and drill work.


all the pieces that must be sawed out


i use the jigsaw as first and then a file


with the file against the line


bottom saving sawed out with the file, not yet filled




bell drill for sawing out a hole for 92mm fans


holes drilled


method for the edges
first sandpaper 180, 320, 600 en after that with the gas burner



fan hole sanded also the bottem saving (edges)


result front panel

Keep in mind, the edges of this panel are sanded only with 150!

This was it for today.

I should say, stay tuned!

 

great start airpress!! cant wait to see the finished product!!

 

Any comments on the design?

 

I like it a lot. Thecut outs on the front and side bottom are nice. Not the flat edge sit on a desk look. They look more like a finished furniture or manufactured product.
Subscribed
John

 

Today i've worked on the sidepanels en back panel.


in the middle comes the powersupply, on the left en right side a 80mm fan will fit there


i have still to cut the i/o shield hole en hole for expansions slots
I've searched and I found this, what is very helpfull to know the dimensions.



here you see the left and right panel


on the front panel, i need to drill two holes for a 92mm fan
one for intake cool air for cpu cooler and the other to intake cool air for videocards

Airpress

 

This afternoon i've sawed 1cm strokes.
On this comes an acrylpanel for the harddisk, motherboard, power supply,...


1 cm strokes, also the edges are sanded and "burned" (gas burner)


I have shortened it in pieces on 3cm, edges must still be sanded an "burned".
btw: i've made more pieces than you see on the pic


Sanded the two arcs from the sidepanels.
I've sanded and "burned" them because the sidepanels are finished.


After "burning".

Airpress

 

The edges look nice 'n smooth, tried a gasburner myself; ended up bending the acrylic
Keep it up!

 

Looking nice but I prefer a dremmel and polish to burning edges.

Anyway, nice start.

 

This afternoon, I made a wood construction for glueing the case together.
You will see what I mean in the pictures.

Offcourse the corners must be glued perfectely in 90 degrees.
Well it was no problem...

Keep in mind; i'm not glueing yet.
I've just made it.

 

Hello everyone, I'm back here!

This morning my homemade woodenframe has proved its service.
I've glued the first corner off the case. Frontpanel and lefsidepanel glued together.


the used glue, its very strong


here you see the 2 acryl panels laying down in the perfect 90° wooden mal (glue is drying)


first floor sawed out + hole for sucking(right word?) fresh air in for powersupply


panel in full glory without tape


Around 16h these afternoon I have taken the angle from the wooden mal and taked a picture of it.
The adhesive on that connection only is incredibly strong!


other sight


Then glued the first floor onto/into the corner.

Airpress

 

Excellent. As was already said, the raised design with the curved feet is a nice, practical way for airflow and style. Good design all around as well. I'm loving the acrylic tint you chose.

 

Thanx!

I have a question to you people.

Before I will construct the hdd racs(stands), I have a question about it.
Here you see a pic what i'm will be making.


How high must it be? Where the harddisk will sit in?
With other words, what will be the ideal hight?
Thanx in advance, Airpress.

 

Initially, I thought only 3/8 to 1/2 and inch. But I'm worried that you're going to need to dampen the vibration of the hdd's, with only one side affixed. So the higher the better. Were it me, I'd shoot for between 1/3 and 1/2 the width of the drive.

 

This is looking good. Great work.

 

Thanx for your help Snafu-X-. I'll keep it in mind!

Now I was searching in a online webshop.
I encountered this.


When I'll buy some materials needed for this casebuild I will order two of them.
In case if the home made stands don't work. I mean with don't work, if there to much noise(vibrations) or something.

 

I'm back!


Always before start working, a good cup of coffee and a biscuit.


After a delicious coffee and the biscuit, I sawed out the hole for the i/o shield.
Also drawed a hole for the expansion slots. When the hole for the expansion slots and i/o shield a sawed out, it's not finished yet.
I have to make another (little) construction where the motherboard comes 15 away from the edge.
If you don't know what I mean, see the second picture below.
Er moet dan nog iets gebeuren. Dit is voor later.


I need to make it what is indicated in red.

I glued the other sidepanel to the existed construction.
The part which is glued, can recognise you by the red ball placed in paint.
The panels are greasy (fat fingers) such as you can see.


Other sight.


Airpress

 

I knew it. This is WOW and Plexi summer to every one is using Plexi, Buddy I really like the idea, The intakes holes look good, The front look hot can't wait to see more work from you. You are doing good job so far, well done

 

The right sidepanel was glued without problems yesterday.
Here are some pic with the case taken out the wooden stand.



Today I've sawed a panel for the second floor.
Here will sit the motherboard on.
This panel will be removable. Must there be a harddisk failure, I can take out the panel and place another harddisk in.




This was it for today.
Tomorrow more.
Ps: tomorrow I will receive my order (parcel) with fans

Airpress

 

THis start to look good Keep it going. I like the idea that you Guy them not add screws, Good luck