I got about 2 hours worth of streaming in tonight guys. Unfortunately I've got no still pictures of my progress. I did manage to get the other hole for the LCD circuit board done, as well as the hole in the top of the case. I've got one more hole to put in the left side for the PSU, and then a small hole in the bottom of the case for ventilation on the pico-itx board that will be located there.

http://livestre.am/glpt

http://livestre.am/gl6b

http://livestre.am/gkTY

Someone at XS asked me for an overview of how the wireless networking and control was set up in this machine. Since I took the time to answer him there, I thought I'd post it here as well for those that might be interested.

Okay, here's a brief overview of the wireless networking and monitoring setup. It's sometimes a little hard to wrap your head around, but I'll try and give a clear explanation.

I've basically got 3 complete computer systems in this case. I've got the main system consisting of the Asus matx board and associated components. Then I've got a Via pico-itx system acting as an always-on file server, and information monitor. Finally, I've got the Viliv UMPC that sits on the front of the case. These 3 systems are connected by both an internal ethernet hub, and an Asus wireless access point. The wireless network is used for information sharing and control by the Viliv. The Viliv is obviously a wireless only connection, but the other systems can connect either wired or wireless, and be independent of any other system.

Since the pico is always on, it serves to relay most of the system information. It will be attached to an Aquaero and Multiswitch, which in turn is responsible for all watercooling, temp sensors, and lighting. It will also allow me to turn the main system on and off through the Viliv. All the information I need on the Viliv will be relayed using a Samurize front end. Samurize's own network monitoring functionality, as well as the Aquaero software will allow for real time monitoring of the pico and main system functions. Now, of course since the Viliv is wireless, and always connected to the OSIDIAS network, I can just detach it from the case and use it as a remote.

Does that help explain things a little? Feel free to ask if it doesn't.

Crystal clear. You may want to make sure the internal wired hub is gigabit and use cat6. It makes a huge difference for VNCing, file sharing etc.

Sounds crazy! lol I like the concept of a remotely controllable and monitoring system(s). Would love to do something like this on say a video rendering system. Effects take forever. Do you have a flow chart of sorts made up? Also, I'd like to know how your rigging the power distribution. I've had a look at some of the pico stuff, those little power supplies to wall warts caught my eye.

Unfortunately you can't get a gigabit switch as small as I need...



No flow chart, although I could definitely use one. The main PSU will power everything. From the main system to the pico, to recharging the Viliv.

Thanks to inspiration from Javi, dbradford, and w33dy at the Mod Brothers forums, I've done a little something to help with my dust collection. I really needed a third hand when cutting on the workbench, and with none in sight, I came up with a great alternative. I modded an old architect lamp!

I couple of velcro straps, and the vac hose was attached to end of the arm. After using it for a few cuts, I've got to say that it's quite effective for a low tech solution. I'm guessing it's catching at least 75% of the dust caused by cutting.





So, with a decent dust collection solution in place, it was time to put it to use. I was streaming live during a portion of this, so I'm missing a few pics. With most of the side holes done, it was time to move to the top. Here is what it looked like after cutting.





Now it's time to move back the side. The last hole I need to cut is where the PSU will sit. Here is the hole all marked out. (Live Stream)



All cut! (Live Stream)



And finally a test fit with a PSU in place.

Looking sweet man! Thats some trick cutting bro!

dude i think i remember seeing this somewhere, but you truly are a human cnc. and the whole network is very interesting. I'd like to do something like that one day.

Thanks Loose! I pride myself on my cuts!



I always like to think that there's nothing a cnc can do that I can't. It just does it way faster. I hate the way that some use a CNC machine as a crutch. I gotta roll with the old school skills first. It gives you a much better understanding of the whole modding process.

Update time! Today we pick up with the start of the interior assembly. Since I'm a glutton for punishment, I've decided to make the entire thing out of a single piece of molded carbon fiber. Since the dimensions have to be perfect, I am going to be using a two part mold. An inner and outer layer, with the CF sandwiched in between. In order to pull this off, I've got to do some very careful measurements, and even better cutting.

I'll be using 1.5mm aluminum for the molds. Here you can see a 4' piece marked down the center. I should be able to get both an inner and outer mold out of this 2'x4' sheet.



Next up I've got to mark out all my cut and bend lines. There is no room for error here. Everything is down to the millimeter.



After the rough cuts were made...



After spending a maddening long time with the aluminum in my metal brake, I was left with the following. Mind you this was a little tricky, since it didn't exactly fit in there very well after the first few bends...





Now it was time to stick it inside the case for a test fit. I had no doubt everything would line up, but it's always a good idea to double check.





Next up is the outer mold. Once that is completed, I'll rub down the aluminum with release wax, and play with a little more carbon fiber. Woohoo!

Very nice - looks to be an awesome build so far Craig!

Thanks bro! I was working on both this and Hutch tonight. Expect more updates on that case soon too!

Looks mighty tricky to me. So, you'll have an outer mold to press form (?) the CF, how's that going to be held together ? Vac bag as well. You using same color CF? Man, I'm sweat'n looking at this. Get'r done

Lol, it's gonna be tricky for sure. Exactly, the CF will be pressed between the two layers. No vac bag this time. Just good old clamps. It will be regular carbon fiber.

Also, as of this morning, I've learned that OSIDIAS was nominated for bit-tech mod of the month! I'm honored!

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/mod-of- ... uly-2010/1

For the case or the sheer mad determination! lol You deserve it on both counts. Look forward to this next bit of CF magic you've got in the hat.

Congrats on the nomination! You definitely deserve it. Now, get to work on the qMicra!

Thanks bro.

(I was actually working on it last night. I'm hoping to have the new res glued together. When I cnc'd the center layer, it didn't cut as deep as I'd hoped, so I've been busy filing and sanding the edges down. It's a little time consuming when you are shooting for perfection. )

keep it coming bro! One of the best projects i have see! And CONGRATS on the nomination!

Although Project Hutch has been getting most of my time lately, I was able to get a little work done on OSIDIAS while waiting for some JB Weld to dry... I picked up on the continuation of the molds for the interior assembly. When I last updated, I had the inner mold completed. Now it was a matter of laying out and cutting the exterior. What you see here is another 1'x4' piece of aluminum sheet.



After cutting...



Time to get this thing bent!











Now, to get one of the inside bends done, I had to switch to my 18" brake.



With all of the bends done, it was time to see how they fit together. I slipped the outer mold over the inner, and all was well! I've got about 2mm between them. That should allow for about 6 layers of carbon fiber.



Since I knew the molds were going to work, it was time to reinforce the inner mold against flexing. All I needed was a piece of 2x4 cut down to 8cm in width. The board was aligned and epoxied in place. Final measurements indicate that I got the perfect alignment I was hoping for. The back is perfectly parallel top and bottom, and I won't need to make adjustments of any kind.



Up next I've got to add a few pieces of angled aluminum for mounting tabs, and I'm ready to wax and lay down the fiber!