[Scratch Build] ZOTAC "Valentine" ZBOX

[Shuper' Luu']

Welcome,

Valentine
I’d contact ZOTAC with the idea to build one custom scratch case for one ZBOX with a very especial theme. In less that 2 days they accept the idea and they’d choose one ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS. This project will be simple, thematic and well documented. More that the review of the case, till 14 of February of 2013 only small teasers will be showed, after that the topic will start having full worklog, with EN videos of all the process (we’re Portuguese, that’s way I’m referring it) of all the process, a little like our BlackStorm H406, but this time in full EN and with different type of episodes (with tips and little talk on the build).
I want to thank here to Patricia Igual from ZOTAC Espanha and to Christopher Dean from Imacula PR for all they help and to make this possible.

Features
# Main colors, white and red
# Structure multi layer of acrylic
# Thematic Lighting
# Unique design and stunning look when power on
# Subtle look, nice concordances and little details

Ideas
# Build a simple case and thematic
# Extended videolog
# Be good looking to female eyes
# Vertical support matching the theme
# Study cooling to not heat more on the new case, trying even to make it better


Hardware
# ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS

Software
# Windows 7

Coldware

Worklog
Intro

Videolog

Livestreams


Sponsors
Zotac

How to follow the project?
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Skype: modaafoca
Messenger: modding@modaafoca.com
Main worklog : (Portuguese) http://modaafoca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1561

[Shuper' Luu']

Welcome to the first Teaser!

Isn't the case spectacularly small and cute?

The worklog will have 7 videos (6 at 720p of videolog and one final one at 1080p), are you ready?

[Shuper' Luu']

Hello,

Today Sneak Peek!

[d_stilgar]

Nice start. Can't wait to see more. I love small builds and hand-built, custom cases.

[Shuper' Luu']

Nice start. Can't wait to see more. I love small builds and hand-built, custom cases.

Thanks! Good you like it, because the case will be that, "small, hand build and custom", and cute hehe

Today Sneak Peek, with me cutting the first acrylic part on that big sheet of white 3mm acrylic!

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,

Happy V-day everyone!



On this first episode/letter we will intro the project, show how we start, the idea and a little more, it's a intro video. After you see the video, here are the photos,

First thing was with cardboard, pen and calculator start making the samples for cuts, before we had the ZBOX,

I'd use simple cardboard red and yellow,

The ZBOX is really little, this is it next to one phone "sock" of Bart. The yellow and red even match hehe

Netbook with Solidworks helping, always,

The little 720p webcam that help on the videos,

The DREMEL and hand fills i'd use. This kind of mods don't ask for big machines,

Always with ZOTAC HAND helping on the manual work,

The white acrylic 3mm, that will be the main case element.


Next Episode: Open your Heart

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Welcome to second episode of Valentine project, Open your Heart. On this episode we will do unboxing of the ZBOX, open everything, analyse and discuss some of the things. After some measures and decisions, we cut some parts of the stock case that were necessary.

After see the video, lets go to some photos we had take at this phase,

First four episodes we're made here, as mainly of the case. With the help of mine DREMEL and fillings, ACER notebook and the 720p webcam,

Everything that were inside the box of ZBOX,

Frontal and Read views of nano XS AD11. You can see the power on button, the audio/micro on front and there is 2x USB 3.0 in the back, always subtle.

Black gloss mirror top,

Remember milka from the first teaser?

Almost everything out, memory and SSD and close up on cooling. The out/in take of the air have to be done the same way on the build of the case,

All the cardboard, plus main strucural pieces and the two side panels,

I had to take out the for nuts on the top panel, easy, fast but necessary on the new case,

On the "ring" metal part, i'd to take out the for supports with a saw blade, because DREMEL don't fit there,

What are you thinking, is it VALENTINE?


Next Letter: Cardboard Heart

Remember to follow us!

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Welcome to third episode!

On this episode we will only talk about the cardboard used as samples, they we're central on this project and projects like this, with direct modeling.

The two main pieces, ZBOX and the heart.

All shapes together, not couting with the little ones on the air zones.

And now, can we compare it to a cap?

The basic heart shape on the big acrylic sheet.

First step, draw the model on the acrylic, with a fine pen.

Photos of the cuts of the first side panel, usind DREMEL and one reforced disk.

One of this photos already had been a sneak peek! And one close up now maybe?

The ZBOX frame on the main heart shape and the basic multi layer samples. What you think?


Next episode: 4# Letter - Cut and Bond

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Maybe the most wanted episode of all, we will on this episode make the cuts and glue the case. Are you ready?

The basic heart shape over the big acrylic sheet,

To make the two side panels equal, nothing best that fill and grid till they match. With the help of a black pen is easy to know where to fill.

The multi layer parts of the bottom zone, and the ZBOX there,

Photos of the paiting of the main frame in red,

All the pieces together, with the plastic protection on. It start taking shape,

We start gluing for the bottom. Do it look good?

Bottom zone done, with zone to intake.

The the top pieces of the multi layer enter the mod,

Now the exaust zone on the top,

Isn't ZBOX really little?

The heart on the side panel, best result of a fake competition ever hehe

The modding HQ during the process. You can see the glass of skill stills there,

Time to get ZBOX ready for it final position, and to finalize it main frame.

Time to wash the case, to take out particles and work dust.

The final two parts over the red acrylic for the final piece, isn't it pretty?

Now is time to fill and grid, and grid and grid a lot.

Next Episode: 5# Letter - Heartshape Tech

[Shuper' Luu']

Hi,



Ready to see the ZBOX on the new case turning on? And see the result of the assembly?

The ZBOX already on the case, but it had go one more time to paiting.

Here she is next to the new feet, last bond ready!

One sneak on the top of the case,

The left side panel of the Valentine case,

The back, have to glue the feet and fill the case one last time, almost ready!

Two not final photos of the case, to see how it look with more lightning and with the foot on.

Turn ON by HDMI to a small TV. Till i know the TV color where the ZBOX will be used, the remote stays black.

What's you opinion? One thanks episode lasting, one final video and the awesome final photos. In LOVE?

Next episode: In the end, Love is all that matters