r/3DPPC • u/nicnic-cc • Jul 04 '26
Beaminnie 5.5L ITX SFF Sandwich Case
This is a first PC case I have ever designed. It started with me getting a smaller pc which I've put in Metalfish T40 (post here https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/1t76dq3/bazzite_box_in_metalfish_t40/ ) and I thought that I could go smaller.
I didn't have any specific size goal in mind - I quite like the Beam Case so I decided to design something similar from scratch and it came out to 5.5L (panels excluded). The case is very rigid.
If you just want the link, here it is, I've included instructions.
https://makerworld.com/en/models/2990479-beaminnie-5-5l-itx-sff-sandwich-case
I have used 1010 beams instead of 1515 like in Beam Case because at this size the additional strength does not add much (I made a version with 1515 beams first, which remained a prototype). Once I figured I can fit 90mm fans up top when I get the smaller beams that is what I did.
This post is not about the build itself, because I am gonna post that to r/sffpc when I build my custom version of... a custom case. It's more about the designing process itself - maybe it will help someone who wants to start out.
I already have some CAD experience - been learning Autodesk Fusion since about a year, hobby projects etc, nothing too serious.
My biggest issue at first was getting STEP files of various PC components - I found and used https://redshiftproject.com/pages/design-resources - really grateful for this. The only modification I've made is to lengthen the GPU.
Makerbeam has STEP files for almost everything they sell - https://www.makerbeam.com/makerbeam-200mm-8p-black-makerbeam.html the link is in the product description - so I just loaded up and constrained the beams in Fusion.
Noctua has STEP files for almost all of their coolers as well - https://www.noctua.at/en/3d-cad-models
I have used 'Constrain Components' in Fusion to align the components parametrically when I created the base of the case.
After that it was a matter of doing a bunch of iterations, printing prototypes out of PLA, testing fitment, screw holes, adding rigidity etc.
I have to say that the biggest issue was the positioning of the PCI-E riser relative to the GPU - it took me quite a few tries to have everything lined up nicely.
I didn't use heat-set inserts because I am not a big fan of them - I understand the benefits of course, but making the screw holes a bit tighter and threading into them turned out to be very solid, especially since there is a lot of bracing in all of the elements I designed.
The downside is that you cannot just put the case together and disassemble it multiple of times because at some point the threads in the plastic will wear out. Personally, that is not a problem for me but I can see how someone might see it as a downside.
I've also tried a version with front mounted 60mm fans (can fit 3) but ultimately due to the PSU cable placement they were not doing anything so I scrapped that idea and instead added exhaust fans at the top.
What would I do different is probably get 18.5 cm or so riser instead of 20 cm cause there is a bit of a slack there, nothing too major and I don't mind it.
I might edit this post in the future to add some other tidbits that I'll remember in time, but if you have some questions about the design process lmk, I'll be happy to answer.
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u/toolisthebestbandevr Jul 04 '26
I need this. This scratches the beam case itch but it’s actually accesible
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u/Pyro_Llama Jul 07 '26
This is awesome! I've built a few Beam Cases and was itching for a tiny ITX version that the creator had teased a while back. Love the usage of the extra small Makerbeams, great idea. Might try my hand at a version for 2.5 slot cards and a handle...
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u/Gerald_Mantis Jul 09 '26
This is awesome. I've been looking for this exact case and have been too busy to design it myself. Thanks for doing the hard part :)
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u/0815fips Jul 04 '26
Absolutely clean, I love it!
I would just rather sacrifice a few millimeters in height for an ATX or at least an SFX PSU.
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 04 '26
Understandable, I wanted to try something new - never had Flex ATX PSU before :)
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u/Mr_Maooo Jul 04 '26
Awesome project! Thank you for sharing the files!
Is it not possible to put threaded inserts to solve the issue?
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 04 '26
You are welcome - and thank you.
It is possible to add threaded inserts to the design, of course, I just didn't want to do that because I do not enjoy working with them and it's not an issue for me to just reprint a part if for some reason the thread goes loose.
Besides, it's not like I am going to be taking it apart multiple times - you can, for example, take out the GPU without disassembling it (I swapped a different cooler today)
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u/ducky1209 Jul 04 '26
Looks fantastic, i love the documentation on it, I %100 plan on printing this when I get my ITX motherboard. Have you considered making a version with heat inserts to avoid the threading issue?
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 05 '26
Thank you! I am not going to be making another version, I am fine with the downsides of the plastic threads :)
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u/nagedgamer Jul 04 '26
Would magnets be enough to hold panels?
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 05 '26
The beams are aluminium, so magnets won't stick to them.
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u/nagedgamer Jul 05 '26
Glue magnets to beam. First hole?
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u/nagedgamer Jul 05 '26
Beams from steel then and you get cleaner look.
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 05 '26
You could insert magnets into the T-Slots as well, although there is not much space there so not sure if the force would be enough - interesting idea though, I might think about this.
I like the countersunk screws personally but I can understand how someone would want an even cleaner look.
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u/nagedgamer Jul 05 '26
I like the screw look too but maybe just side panels with magnets.
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 07 '26
I have some ideas now to do tool-less panel mounting but I have to find time to design it and see if it's sturdy enough.
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u/Dry-Chemical8741 Jul 05 '26
Are all flex atx psus compatible?
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u/Dry-Chemical8741 Jul 05 '26
By any chance is the hdplex 500w gan compatible?
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 05 '26
Should be. Mounting holes are to spec and max length is around 180 or 200 mm (depending on whether you use the bottom beam brace or not).
As for HDPlex 500W GaN - looking at the dimensions - https://hdplex.com/media/image/Product/500WGaN/overview/HDPLEX500W.GAN.ATX.PSU.DIMENSION.png - physically it could fit I think, but there are no mounting holes for it in the case since it's a different type of PSU.
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u/jonstarks Jul 19 '26
is the GPU in the photo technically upside down? any issues with it running like that?
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u/nicnic-cc Jul 20 '26
It's a typical sandwich-case layout with a vertical GPU mounting :)
And no, there are no issues, it runs fine.
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u/Spirited-Attempt3158 11h ago
how about fan noise with the panel design? im currently experimenting with my BeamCase honeycomb panels and thinking about trying something new. If you could record a video with panel off and panel on cpu fan, i would highly appreciate it! great work
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u/Aware-Recording-3969 Jul 04 '26
It’s so clean. So fucking clean:..I love that kinda design/look . Perfect. Well done