MiSTer - Case v1.0

[NegSol]

Maybe I am not the best to give you advice on this. I got me a printer that came with printing software ("slicer") bundled up with.

In general there are a lot of free tools free tools available online.
For prusa I3 I guess "Slic3r Prusa Edition" is the the way to go http://www.prusa3d.com/slic3r-prusa-edition/
It will work with the clones - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7JuMa35IjA

For modeling I like using my old 123d by Autodesk but they discontinued the support for it.
My go to alternative is Netfabb by Autodesk. Here you can get a trial or a so call "non-licensed" version (former basic version) which you will get, when you cancel all license pop-ups. It will work see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QRvS9xdNzw

There are a lot of good guides only - I recommend the guides on simplify 3d (I do not use the software though).
https://www.simplify3d.com/support/articles/

Also https://www.thingiverse.com/ by Makerbot covers all 3d object needs and has a nice community.

In general .stl files are all you need for modding the objects. Depending on the CAD software you use you will have to covert the objects into proprietary formats to gain access to advanced transformations. Meshmixer come in handy for this stuff.
You will convert .stl files using your slicer into g-code which is the motor instructions and all commands for your printer. Normally you will not be able to use other people's g-code as the commands have to fit your machine and the material you are printing with (speed, temperature, nozzle width, available build plate configuration etc.). It all sounds complicated but it is quiet easy, as long as you start small.

Also FDM printing is not like normal paper printing or CNC. 3d objects have to be designed in a certain way to save material and ensure good printing results. So best to start with stuff that is proven to be printable (see thingiverse).

Hope this advice is of use to you

[NegSol]

MiSTer - Case Universal v1.2

I remixed the Universal Case for the MiSTer to now support the I/O-Board 2.7 .

I increased also the distance between bottom and the pbc to allow for more air flow. Only the top shell of the case remains unchanged and can be used with this version 1.2.

The original screws of the DE10 Nano can now be used to fix the DE10 Nano inside the case (see pictures). If you find this to be too difficult try using sharp screws to prepare the holes. It works!

Enjoy!

All files can be found on thingiverse:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2527243

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https://youtu.be/s6JOXqiOqfw

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[Sorgelig]

Looks like case ate too much hamburgers

With heatsing and fan you don't need to keep space under the board, so you can easily shrink the case by around 10mm.
New I/O board will have fan mounting holes, so upper part may be also can be a bit slimmer.

[Newsdee]

Negsol, does this case fit the vertical SDRAM board?

[NegSol]

Negsol, does this case fit the vertical SDRAM board?

Yes, it does.

Although, someone has to test this. I do not have the vertical board.

[NML32]

@Negsol, are you having any heat issues with the new case and I/O board?
I went from using the slim case with fan, heat sink, and memory add-on. Now I am using your latest case design v1.2 with fan, heat sink, memory board, and I/O board. I think I may be having heat issues most noticeably with 486 core. The screen starts to jiggle a bit, and King's Quest won't load correctly or locks up after the MiSTer has been on for a while.

Have you noticed this since moving to the new case design with I/0 board installed?

I forgot to mention, I'm still using HDMI.

[NegSol]

I did not encounter any heat issue yet. I only tested the ao486 core with the case continuously for an 1hour. Playing some Spear of Destiny and installing windows 3.11. Actually I felt the case itself and it was much colder. This of course was expected as it is nearly twice as big. I used a 12V fan at 5V. This gives some decent airflow. I did not use a heatsink yet - maybe try without the heatsink. As funny as this may sound, bad heatsinks or badly installed heatsinks can lead to higher temp in chips. The chip package itself is pretty good at getting rid of heat, when you apply some air.

Remember I only tested for one hour, so no burn in happens on my end yet.

[NegSol]

Also please test the direction of your airflow. It should point at the chip not away from it. So it should suck air onto the chip. Mixing up polarity or mounting it the other way could end up with a situation, that could lead to too much heat.

But again, I can not troubleshoot this remotely. Maybe more tests on my end will help (not before the weekend).

Actually most cores display vga an hdmi at the same time. This look funky if you hook up two monitors at once. Even though I found the menu core not giving a particular compatible vga out signal. Strange really.

[NML32]

Also please test the direction of your airflow. It should point at the chip not away from it. So it should suck air onto the chip. Mixing up polarity or mounting it the other way could end up with a situation, that could lead to too much heat.

That may be my problem, my fan is blowing air out of the case. I'll try flipping the fan and see how that goes.

Thanks

[Newsdee]

I've sent the Thingyverse files to a local 3D print shop and will see how it goes. Looking forward to having that nice case!

[NML32]

Also please test the direction of your airflow. It should point at the chip not away from it. So it should suck air onto the chip. Mixing up polarity or mounting it the other way could end up with a situation, that could lead to too much heat.

That may be my problem, my fan is blowing air out of the case. I'll try flipping the fan and see how that goes.

Thanks

Update: I think the fan I'm using is too weak and not close enough to the chip with the newly designed case.

[NegSol]

Sorry to here this - Maybe you could add some shims to get it closer to the chip?

I will do some testing with my setup later this WE. But Again everything looks good for me so far.

[NegSol]

For what it is worth I release my .stl files for the logo I printed.
I used a dual extrusion method for it to get the letters firmly sticking to the background.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2536085

[NegSol]

About the fan distance. Maybe it make a difference to have I/O-Board installed like I do now. I guess cooling the board will also help to keep the main DE10 board cooler. But that is just guessing really.

[Sorgelig]

Fan-only cooling is not effective.
You need to attach a heatsink - it will greatly impove the cooling.

[NegSol]

You are right. I have a heat sink lying around. So will will get to it soon. I just want to test without first, so I can optimize the case a bit (if necessary).

[NegSol]

Updated Case for the v2.7 I/O-Boards.

I added two new Top Shells now including buttons, the vents of the v5.2 case and an optional fan holding cage. The cage was matched for the noctua 40x40x20 mm fan but it should work well with other fans of similar dimensions. The noctua fan fits without glue or screwing requirements. Other fans might need to be glued in place.

The buttons are matched for the old 2.7 version of the I/O-Bord. Compared to the v5.2 these buttons are very much at the edge of the case. I did my best to accommodate the same buttons used in the universal case for the v5.2 I/O-Board. The buttons had to move quite a bit but ultimately feel even a little nicer and "clickier" compared to the other cases.

I hope some guys still using the v2.7 I/O-Board will enjoy the new Top Shells. Your feedback is welcome as always.

The new parts are:
MiSTer Case Uni v2 Top Shell_Buttons.stl
MiSTer Case Uni v2 Top Shell_Buttons_Fan.stl


https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2527243

[misterjbam]

i love your case
(Excellent, a Noctua in 5v)

[bedfellow]

What screws are needed for fitting the DE10-Nano to the MiSTer - Case Universal v1.0 *Updated* and for securing the case top and bottom together?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2499274

[Sefirosu]

For modeling I like using my old 123d by Autodesk but they discontinued the support for it.
My go to alternative is Netfabb by Autodesk. Here you can get a trial or a so call "non-licensed" version (former basic version) which you will get, when you cancel all license pop-ups. It will work see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QRvS9xdNzw

Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists, and I think MiSTer fits there https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusi ... -hobbyists

For a printer, well this can probably get more frustrating than FPGA development. I have 3; a Monoprice, a Prusa MK2S and a POS Anet A8 (fire hazard and shock hazard (exposed power supply, really) out of the box, be careful if you get one of these). The only one I have never had issues with out of the box is the original Prusa, but it’s more expensive, although with the upgrades I did to the Monoprice they are now of equivalent price spent on them, the Anet is a “project printer” I haven’t played much with yet.

[cbo2188]

Thanks for putting together the case, really cool. Did you happen to have a design loaded for the i/o board 5.5 with the USB 3.0 connector?

[NegSol]

Sadly no. I have no access to a 5.5 IO board at the moment. Also i am unaware of any use case of th serial link offered via the usb (remember it is not! real usb on this connector). Maybe the universal case design will already work with the connector, when your a using a slim L type plug an exit the cable through the panels. Somebody could test it maybe.

[cbo2188]

Thanks. I may give it a shot and could always cut a section out later or run a cable, like you said. Thanks for your time with everything!

[warham]

Thanks. I may give it a shot and could always cut a section out later or run a cable, like you said. Thanks for your time with everything!

I nicked Negsols cool design and made it a little bit taller and wider in a gamble that the cooljoy will maybe fit inside someday.
If I remember right the usb3 connector is facing the inside so there might be room for a right able connector inside the case.
search my user nick on thingiverse if want to have a look.

[cbo2188]

Thanks Warham. Your DeLorean design is really neat!