MODDING / HOW TO GUIDES
14 / CREATE MOTHERBOARD MOUNTS
If you’re confident in your measurements, add the motherboard
standoff holes, which for 6-32 screws need to be 3mm wide, using
templates such as the ones available at custompc.co.uk/Standoffs.
Alternatively, once you’ve printed the motherboard tray and rear
panel, mark up the standoff holes and drill them.11 / CREATE HOLES
In TinkerCAD, you create holes in objects by making a shape with the size
of hole you need, and turning that object into a ‘hole’ using the Shape tool.
You can use this method to add screw holes and vents to your designs.15 / TESTPRINT
It’s best to print a single section fi rst, so you can test your printer
settings. Large, flat objects can be prone to warping, so you may need
to adjust the temperatures of the print nozzle or print bed, as well as
trying other materials. You’ll also need to see if your chosen thickness
is sufficient to prevent too much flex.12 / CREATE MOTHERBOARD TRAY
Start with the motherboard tray, which only has one job - to secure
your motherboard. It doesn’t need to run the length of the case, and
it’s usually easiest to add motherboard standoffs yourself after
printing, rather than beforehand.13 / CREATE TRAY SUPPORTS
If you want to 3D-print the majority of the components, you can add
large supporting feet to the motherboard tray, enabling you to secure
it to the other panels in your case. Make sure these supports are large
and thick enough to have holes drilled in them without breaking.10 / USE 3D HARDWARE MODELS
To aid the design process, plenty of websites, such as tinkercad.com,
thingiverse.com and 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com, have thousands of
pre-rendered models available for you to download. However, you’ll
need to ensure that they’ve been rendered accurately and that they’re
the correct size.MODDING / HOW TO GUIDES
14 / CREATEMOTHERBOARDMOUNTS
If you’reconfidentinyourmeasurements,addthemotherboard
standoffholes,whichfor6-32screwsneedtobe3mmwide,using
templatessuchastheonesavailableatcustompc.co.uk/Standoffs.
Alternatively,onceyou’veprintedthemotherboardtrayandrear
panel,markupthestandoffholesanddrillthem.11 / CREATE HOLES
In TinkerCAD, you create holes in objects by making a shape with thesize
of hole you need, and turning that object into a ‘hole’ using the Shapetool.
You can use this method to add screw holes and vents to your designs.15 /TESTPRINT
It’sbesttoprinta singlesectionfi rst,soyoucantestyourprinter
settings.Large,flatobjectscanbepronetowarping,soyoumayneed
toadjustthetemperaturesoftheprintnozzleorprintbed,aswellas
tryingothermaterials.You’llalsoneedtoseeif yourchosenthickness
issufficienttopreventtoomuchflex.12 / CREATE MOTHERBOARD TRAY
Start with the motherboard tray, which only has one job - to secure
your motherboard. It doesn’t need to run the length of the case, and
it’s usually easiest to add motherboard standoffs yourself after
printing, rather than beforehand.13 / CREATE TRAY SUPPORTS
If you want to 3D-print the majority of the components, you can add
large supporting feet to the motherboard tray, enabling you to secure
it to the other panels in your case. Make sure these supports are large
and thick enough to have holes drilled in them without breaking.10 / USE 3D HARDWARE MODELS
To aid the design process, plenty of websites, such as tinkercad.com,
thingiverse.com and 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com, have thousands of
pre-rendered models available for you to download. However, you’ll
need to ensure that they’ve been rendered accurately and that they’re
the correct size.