[WIP] Lego Techinc PC Case With 3D Printed Parts

[Stari89]

Hi! My name is Damjan and I want to show the World what I'm working on!

My current self-isolation situation is an excellent excuse to start a new project: A LEGO Technic built PC case! Because am not a person who could concisely modify a LEGO brick (there is a special place in hell for people who would), I decided to 3D print my own bricks which would serve as an interface between computer components and real LEGO bricks.

I expect two challenges:

• Structural integrity: To properly mount and support heavy PC components I decided to build mostly with Technic bricks. I have quite some experience with that (I participate in LEGO Truck Trial races, Google it) so with some careful planning that should not be a problem.
• Heat: My "production" (not prototypes) 3D printed bricks will be made out of the same material as LEGO bricks - the ABS plastic which starts deforming at around ~80°C. No computer component should reach this temperature, but I will make sure everything is ventilated properly anyway.

The heat is the reason I'm starting with PC fan mounts:

I also made some hard drive and SSD mounts:

And a PSU mount:

I welcome you to join me on this adventure! Updates will follow soon. Cheers!

 

[Stari89]

Due to the World Pandemic I am still missing few things from AliExpress to continue my work. Because I am very impatient, I can't wait to show my progress, so here's a photo of the motherboard tray prototype.
The tray is designed to accomodate any (standard) sized motherboard. Mini-ITX? Just take the white 3D-printed brick. Micro-ATX? Add yellow. Full-sized ATX? Add orange.
Brass insert nuts are very secure. I was not able to pull them out after they set in. The surrounding PLA plastic broke first.
Cheers!
Inserting the nut video (external link to Instagram)

 

[Stari89]

I uploaded the motherboard tray video:

 

[Stari89]

The work is slowly progressing. A prototype for the rear I/O panel is done:

 

[Deleted member 197986]

The work is slowly progressing. A prototype for the rear I/O panel is done:

Make the complete panel from LEGO (except the connections)

 

[Stari89]

That would require a lot of small bricks which could easily drop off when plugging/unplugging cables. I also think that there would still be some gaps which would not look very pleasing. I will continue with this design.
Cheers!

 

[Stari89]

The design for the rear expansion card slots is done. Today I was able to print one of three pieces. When I'm done, I'll do another video. Cheers!

 

[Stari89]

Rear I/O is complete, I will produce a video in the next few days!

 

[MrGRiMv25]

Nice work, can't wait to see it finished as a lot of Lego PC's tend to be a bit janky, but with some 3D printed stuff it looks like it's going to be a much cleaner build.

 

[Stari89]

I'm done with the rear I/O video. It's slowly coming together!

 

[Stari89]

Front I/O is done as well.

 

[Stari89]

The work continues ...

 

[Stari89]

I found some time for my hobbies, so I have begun building the case in the virtual environment where I have an unlimited supply of bricks. I started with the bottom which needs to be perforated for better airflow to the power supply. Enjoy.

 

[Stari89]

 

[Stari89]

 

[Stari89]

 

[Stari89]

A quick summary:

 

[pantherx12]

Love the concept

 

[Gmr_Chick]

Amazing!

 

[PLAfiller]

Really clean job, videos/thumbnails/ regular updates. You went full swing with this one. Haven't been excited about a scratch build in a while, but I want to see this one finished. Do you think a build with lego in vertical orientation is possible? (like FT02B)? On a side note, Slovenia is a lovely place, been in Koper for three months or so...really beautiful aaand so much food ahaha.

 

[Stari89]

Vertical orientation is possible, it's LEGO so why not! Will I ever build it like that? Who knows

 

[Stari89]

After almost a year of planning, today I finally started the build! I found out that building in LDD and in real life is not the same. There are few things I already want to change (for structurual rigidity). I will continue with what I have for now and modify later. This is the front mesh.
Cheers!

 

[Stari89]

One from yesterday.

3 more from today:

 

[Stari89]

Test fitting the fans.

 

[milewski1015]

This is awesome, can't wait to see the final product!