Project Log: "Legierung Turm" - Alloy Water - DTD

[conley_jb]

While I am still undecided on the name, the design of this case is just what the name implies; “LegierungTurm“, or alloy water. The design behind this project is two fold; first I wanted a case which fit the space limitation of my home office, and secondly would offer plenty of room for both current needs and all future ones. While nothing in modding or case design is forever I am hoping this design will be as close to a last case as I ever need. (Read: I said ever need, not want).

Structurally, the case will be crafted out of T6061 aluminum throughout and is designed to be solid as a preferbial rock. The structural skeleton will be a combination of 1“ x ¾“ U channel, and the entire design will be anchored by a pair of 1“ wide towers on either side of the main case area, one will house the tubing for my water system, carrying the cooled liquid up from the bottom mounted radiator, the other will house a slot-loaded bluray drive, as well as a few other surprises.

Bottomline, while there maybe something familiar about this case, it is a very unconventional design and should offer some great new innovations, as well as some refinements on more traditional designs.

As far as my skills and abilities, this will be my ultimate build. While I am attempting to do everything I can on the frontend to overcome my biggest challenge, which tends to be my ideas usually far outpace my skill level. I hope that with the addition of the right tools and some help from a patient disposition I can develop, build and finally execute a great design. While my skills maynot allow for me to completely meet such expectation, my goal is to build a case with German precision and quality, thus the german reference “LegierungTurm“.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks and months for a project I am initially calling, “Alloy water“. But may be more fittingly called my double towers design (DTD).

On this project I am taking inspiration from many different places and many different existing designs and I will offer acknowledgements as I go. I look at the modding community just as that a community of enthusiast that push and motivate all of us to do our best and push the envelop of design and of our own capabilities. While I would be devastated to see my design picked up and sold by a major manufacturer without due credit, it would be and is falttering to be asked and to see your ideas utilized and taken up by fellow enthusiast.

While I doubt there is much market for a case of the size and scope of this one in the retail world, it is possible that there maybe elements and or methods which can help others and I encourage everyones input, and comment as I move forward.

Here’s a sneak peek of what is to come.


Project DTD – Alloy-Water (working title) - Aluminum alloy watercooled PC enclosure
Dimensions: 12“D x 24“W x 24“H
Materials: T6061 Aluminum Alloy

Specs:

• ATX computer case
• 1200 Watt PSU
• Dual GPU
• Air/ Water Hybrid cooled system
• near-Silent operation
• Horizontal orientation

Cost/ Budget: None established
Build Date: 2012

Additional Comment:

This project will be image intensive since I take a lot of photos. Before I leave the 3d world, here are a few more angles of the 3d rendering of the plan.

This will be the first part that gets made and will serve as the main structure off which everything else will be built.



Part of the design will be vents at the top of each tower which will allow for warm exhaust to vent upward.



Today my first shipment of raw materials arrived. I also took a little time to pull out all my tools and inventory the supplies I will need.

[bonez26]

nice cant wait to see this go together

[conley_jb]

I had forgotten about this thread and might have actually started another one on another site (blasphamy I know), while I probably won't be able to keep up both threads, I thought I would at least try and post a few pictures as I move forward.

It took me several weeks to find someone with a die large enough to allow me to bend my panels with a 2-inch radius, but once I did I was able to start assembling things.

One of the two towers test fitted

Threading the support pieces which will serve as the skeleton of the entire case assembly

The opening under each tower will serve as additional intakes for cooling components on the inside

Now that the two towers are cut and fitted, we are all caught up and up to date. Next is to move to the interior structure and layout