Rubix PC

[Zephik]

Okay, So I was bored today and I busted out my old rubix cube to play around with (still can't solve the dumb thing). Then I got a great idea... Why not make a PC that looks like a rubix cube!? It won't function like one though, I ain't have the smarts to figur that out. It won't be HUGE either, I want it to be my "lan rig". But it will be packing some pretty good hardware so it has to be ATX compatible, not micro atx. I'm thinking 18 x 18 x 18?

Quick Sketchup
http://myspace-253.vo.llnwd.net/01459/35/26/1459006253_l.jpg

Well thats as far as I have gotten... lol

Any idea's?

-SF

[silverdemon]

just my idea... when you are going to make a case LOOK like a rubix cube, make it a WORKING model of the thing...
if you search google you will find some details on how the things are made...
I actually thought of this myself, as I'm sort of a fan of rubix' cubes. But I don't have the money to build it and I didn't work the design out, because to make it a working model you would actually have quite a large cube...

I mean, where is the fun in making just a cubicle box with a computer inside??? I say: mod it till it works

[Zephik]

just my idea... when you are going to make a case LOOK like a rubix cube, make it a WORKING model of the thing...
if you search google you will find some details on how the things are made...
I actually thought of this myself, as I'm sort of a fan of rubix' cubes. But I don't have the money to build it and I didn't work the design out, because to make it a working model you would actually have quite a large cube...

I mean, where is the fun in making just a cubicle box with a computer inside??? I say: mod it till it wors

Making it work... would be difficult but fantastic. But could you actually do that with all the equipment inside and still keep it as small as possible?? Would it even be practical to have a ATX sized WORKING Rubix Cube PC?

BTW: I have $150-300 american dollars to spend. $300 if I don't go blow it on things that actually matter such as *THESE (http://www.aclens.com/fresh1.asp) and girls and clothes. $150 minimum.

-SF

*I'm looking at the moon light ones mainly. Maybe the turquoise or sapphire... lol I can't see dangit!

[silverdemon]

Yes, you COULD make it work... The middle blocks don't get messed up, the only twist, so the whole inside stays at the same place...
Only problem is that you'll have to make the middle blocks more or less the size of your biggest component (probably your mobo).
Also the hinges and stuff wil be complicated, so I doubt you will be able to build it with your budget...

I have found a picture of an exploded view of a rubix cube. It is not a good picture, but maybe if you look hard enough you will see how it works:
http://www.puzzleworld.org/PuzzleWorld/puz/img/rubiks_cube_2.jpg

[Zephik]

Well unless I can find a different solution to making it "operable", I don't think this is an option for two reasons; A. It would have to be huge. B. It would cost more than I can afford. But if someone wants to think of an alternative to making it functional, go right ahead. I can't promise that I will implement your idea though. Keep in mind also that it would have to be an alternative to A and B. For an example as to a alternative idea, I was thinking about "sliding panels", But you can't "slide" a panel over a 90 degree angle without looking ridiculous as well as a slight insult to a rubix cube.

I am working on a full scale model right now, it's a bit difficult because I am a tard at times, but I'll try and get it by the end of tomorrow with all of the drive bay's, PSU, and I/O plate implemented. I was thinking of having the colored panels as a sort of door. That way everything is nice, neat and hidden. As for accessing the internals of the computer? Just a simple latch and key hidden inside one of the "panels" will do I think. Again, that way it is hidden, which kind of makes it cool I think.

"How do you get to the inside of your computer?"

"Like this!" *pushes on panel and it pops open revealing a key hole and latch design similar to the thermaltake armor series* ...heh heh

-SF

[Crimson Sky]

Um..but they arent hollow...

They are decidedly very much unhollow...

[Zephik]

Um..but they arent hollow...

They are decidedly very much unhollow...

Yes, but I am not building a giant Rubik's cube let alone a replica of one. I am building a computer that *looks* like a Rubik's cube. It's the same idea of when making a castle themed PC. It looks like a castle, but it is not. Just to make it clear, I am not building a functioning Rubik's cube. It would be cool, but very difficult if not impossible without being impracticable. It would also limit the possibilities that I wish to do. Such as hidden compartments. ...I suspect mobility would be sacrificed as well. That is something that I do not wish to sacrifice because that is the main reason for doing this project. Like I said, I want it to be a "lan rig".

-SF

[Murader]

Led Screens to Simulate the Squares that can light multi color with a rotating program/interative program

[silverdemon]

I think it will be possible to build a functioning one. And maybe when I have too much free time and money some day I will give it a try...

Anyways, I think Murader's idea is pretty nice, make the panels colored bij light and write some sort of program that displays the different colors... But I think that too will cost you more than your 200 dollars...

[Zephik]

Here is a small update... I'm still compiling all of my ideas and trying to figure out how to make them work. Anyways, here is the basic layout for the back of the case...

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/RubiksCubePCRear.jpg

lol it is alot bigger than I thought it would be... but whatever. It's only slightly bigger than Xoxide's cube pc. (by a 1/2")

-SF

[Zephik]

Had an idea... check out the poll.

-SF

[Zephik]

So this is what I am thinking right now...

I want to design an ITX compatible Rubik's Cube PC. Then I want to design another PC for my ATX equipment that I am praying to get for Christmas. As acrylic is the cheapest building material I could find, I will get x60 pieces of 1/8th thick 6"x12" acrylic (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/www.estreetplastics.com). Which should cover a small ATX compatible rig build and the ITX rig build.

I'm going to put the ITX on pause for now, because I really want to see what I can design for my ATX, which should be priority one anyways due to Christmas being fast and approaching.

GAH! I think I am going to take some computer design classes or something, I really enjoy drawing things up on my computer despite my lack of skill.

-SF

[Zephik]

Lexan is only 50 cents more than Acrylic... Which should I get??

-SF

[xdxforever]

lexan will require some more serious and hardy tools in comparison to the reletively soft acrylic. if you want to have the case be bulletproof and have good tools go for the Lexan.

[Redundant]

The concept drawing came out pretty good. Since you can't make it an actual rubix cube, have you thought of making a lights out cube? (That is assuming you've heard of it before; I actually have one of these) (link to pic) (http://www.speedcubing.com/ton/collection/Other%20Puzzles/pages/Lights%20Out%20Cube%20%20Tiger.htm)You could make the panels have lights behind them and somehow wire it up to the lights out cube.

P.S. I just also thought up this: If you were to wire light panels to the computer (serial?) you can have a light show that goes with your music or something. :banana:

Sorry to not actually help with the whole rubix theme but I've had some bad experiences with rubix cubes that ended with all the stickers off the blocks :D

[Timoi]

I have 2 ideas on what you could do for this... I warn you though, Idea 1 will be VERY expensive and hard to do.

IDEA 1

Ok if you had the cash and skills for this... (I warn you immediately it is a quite expensive idea and will require a LOT of skill, mabe Crimson or someone else with high skills in this type of stuff would be interested by it though) you could actually make this case look like almost any cubic object, A rubix cube is just one possibility. And you could even make it work... well digitally at least

Ok bascally what I'm saying here is to make a case of square LCD screens. You only need to cover 4 sides as the bottom and back sides will be hidden from view. It would require a total of 35 small LCD screens (how to plug these in is your problem to figure out) 9 on each side, 9 on top, and 8 in front (leave one square for CD rom devices). Then arrange a program which would run the screens and have them all appear a certain color. You could also make the program get the colors on the cube to change locations as if the cube was being played with.

IDEA 2

MAke a case out of plexy, and light each visible side with a different color of LEDs. To prevent colors from mixing, just put a white opaque surface on the inside of the clear plexi.

EDIT: Also for Idea 2, don't forget to etch the lines to separate each individual square onto the plexi.

You could also modify the idea 2 to have each square light a different color (with multiple possibilities) and then use a program again to change the color of each square though again I am not sure how you would do this but I am quite confident that it is possible.

[Zephik]

You guys have some great idea's for this project. I like most of them alot. But they are not for me. I wouldn't be able to do them "justice".




I want to design an ITX compatible Rubik's Cube PC. Then I want to design another PC for my ATX equipment that I am praying to get for Christmas.

I'm going to put the ITX on pause for now, because I really want to see what I can design for my ATX, which should be priority one anyways due to Christmas being fast and approaching.

-SF

Anyone have any idea's for the ITX Rubik's Cube PC? I'm not really even sure what I would use it for... lol

-SF

[slytherock]

IDEA 2

MAke a case out of plexy, and light each visible side with a different color of LEDs. To prevent colors from mixing, just put a white opaque surface on the inside of the clear plexi.

EDIT: Also for Idea 2, don't forget to etch the lines to separate each individual square onto the plexi.

You could also modify the idea 2 to have each square light a different color (with multiple possibilities) and then use a program again to change the color of each square though again I am not sure how you would do this but I am quite confident that it is possible.

It can be done, and in fact, it's a great idea, you also can have a software representing the cube, so everytime you change the "softcube" it can change teh color outside the case

[SgtM]

Murader's idea sounds like it might work. Dunno about cost tho.. dude, what's that in the top right on the sketch? [/kidding]

[tybrenis]

Lexan is polycarbonate vrs acrylic, which is polymethyl methacrylate.

Acrylic is more brittle, but that won't matter to you as a case builder - I doubt you'll be shooting the case... I hope.

Lexan is stronger in terms of bulletproofness etc. but it scratches a lot easier than acrylic (they both scratch easy). Plus, acrylic is easily line bent whereas polycarbonate is much harder to thermoform (it bubbles easier due to the higher moisture content).

I'd recomend acrylic. Comes in more flavors, too (colors and thicknesses).

[GT40_GearHead]

why not put the mobo in one of the cubes ?