I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
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I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
1–10 of 52 posts
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#2I didn't originate this idea, but if you're curious about other options... I found success using an IKEA Helmer for my home lab.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/helmer-drawer-unit-on-casters-b...
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#3I didn't originate this idea, but if you're curious about other options... I found success using an IKEA Helmer for my home lab. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/helmer-drawer-unit-on-casters-b...
Thanks for sharing. I’m running a lack rack for 15 years, would have been fitting
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#4This looks good: I've got three HP NUCs like in TFA + three Pi on my desk (got more than that altogether) and it's indeed a cable mess.
> Aluminium extrusions are bars with a groove on all four sides. These bars have a standard format and you can slide all kinds of equipment in there and lock it in place with set screws. It seems to be used a lot for home made 3D printers, CNC machines and whatnot.
They're also called "T-slot" and 80/20 (from the brand).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-slot_structural_framing
Plenty of free 3D models for tiny parts for those that can be printed at home (careful though: most won't hold much weight).
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#5Awww, its so adorable
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#6Why use the original power bricks, with the space claim and awful routing, instead of just going to a single dc/dc... either directly if no individual power control is needed, or to a relay block or switch block if automated / manual individual control is needed?
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#7Why use the original power bricks, with the space claim and awful routing, instead of just going to a single dc/dc... either directly if no individual power control is needed, or to a relay block or switch block if automated / manual individual control is needed?
I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#8It would be cool to design custom aluminum brackets for the fans. However I found that although ordering 3D prints is very cheap, using (for example) PCBWay for CNCing something out of aluminum is very expensive.
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#9Why use the original power bricks, with the space claim and awful routing, instead of just going to a single dc/dc... either directly if no individual power control is needed, or to a relay block or switch block if automated / manual individual control is needed?
I haven’t found a solution for a single DC power supply I can connect to the systems. Maybe I have to solder something together myself.
Meanwell is the standard answer for this sort of thing; something in the SD-500 family or sized/optioned as you need. You'll have to do the connectors yourself; you may be able to find junction-post-to-barrel-plug leads of the right size and length off the shelf, but I'd be surprised, and soldering them would take less time than shopping for them.
Re: I built a 10 inch mini rack from aluminium extrusions
#10This looks good: I've got three HP NUCs like in TFA + three Pi on my desk (got more than that altogether) and it's indeed a cable mess. > Aluminium extrusions are bars with a groove on all four sides. These bars have a standard format and you can slide all kinds of equipment in there and lock it in place with set screws. It seems to be used a lot for home made 3D printers, CNC machines and whatnot. They're also calle…
Built something fairly similar about 15 years ago. The cheapest way by far to do it is get everything you need off Aliexpress except the alu sheets which you can typically get as offcuts from local manufacturers, I was lucky enough to pick up some odd shapes that had been used for signage for next to nothing that I could cut to the right size. Since you need to buy bags of 50 or more of the M5 fixings, you an bundle them up and recover some or all of the cost by selling them locally once you've used the few you need.