Fractal Node 804 5.25 optical drive bay

An internal optical drive bay for the Fractal Node 804 designed to be printed on a 250 x 250 build plate.

This mod replaces the mesh in the top panel so that you may mount the 5.25" optical drive bay.

Designed mostly in tinkercad, although 360 used to trace the scanned front profile.

Please be warned that this can be quite fiddly and time consuming to bolt together, there is very little clearance for the bolts underneath the panel to join together the pieces, along with the zip ties that connect it to the platform.

Also be aware that given the accurate fitment to the top panel needed for this to work, there is no guarantee this mod will size correctly for all printers. I've printed using a Bambu A1 with a 0.4 nozzle using eSun PLA+. While my platform panel fits well enough, it was maybe just 0.5mm or so too long once bolted together, possibly only because I've reused the foam sheet as a vibration dampener and that it pushing it out? Anyway, the platform fits well enough for me once zip tied down fairly tightly so it is what it is. Potentially you can modify the rear platform panel to be shorter if it's problematic for your printers scaling.

The seam line looking thing at the front of the drive bay was also an error in my model, I did not want to waste filament/time reprinting that for myself as its not that noticeable from a distance in my loungeroom, but it's since been smoothed out with a small edit.


Parts required: 
-slightly stronger than regular pla filament (I used PLA+, use whatever you favor that works well for thin parts that may snap)
-Pioneer optical drive (I used a BDR-212DBK, other brands may fit, but be aware I've left very minimal fascia gap)
-11 x M3 hex socket bolts with 6mm thread
-11 x M3 nuts
-6 x M3 bolts (hex socket if you want),  12-30mm thread length (depends secure you want the drive bay)
-2 x M3 bolts to secure rear sata port cover access panel, ~6-8mm iirc?
-2-4 x screws for optical drive (also M3 I believe)
-26 Small zip ties
-long sata cable (50-60cm) and sata power cable depending on your boards ports and PSU


Assembly:

1)Remove the top panel from your Node 804, use pliers to bend the tabs on the mesh panel straight so the panel may be removed. You may want to keep the foam underneath to act as a vibration dampener sandwiched between the 3d printed panel and original top panel.

2)Print the Front, 2 mid and rear platform pieces first, we will need to check it all fits on the top panel before proceeding with printing the drive bay.

3)Bolt platform together with 6mm bolts as shown in the images. To speed this up, I've used a thin mini precision electric screwdriver from Amazon, with (iirc) a 2.5mm hex bit. Doing this manually cab be a pain as there is very little clearance and the bolt holes have a tight fitment. You need to make sure the tabs are close together so when tightening so there is no gap between them. Would also suggest manually tightening the last little bit to avoid snapping the thin bolt hole tabs.

4)Print the Drive bay using support for the fascia overhang (I used tree, none needed elsewhere) and bolt it to the platform using the 6 x longer M3 bolts. They don't need to be too long.

5)Secure the optical drive in place with 2 to 4 screws that suit your drive, it's probably easier to do now rather than later but be careful not to snap anything. You may need a light to align the screw holes before attempting, a magnetic driver would also be handy given how deep the access holes are. 

6)Back on the bolt side of the platform, if you wish to reuse the foam sheet for drive vibration dampening, cut large access around tabs for the zip ties, around all the bolts, the access hole of the sata cables, and where you may need access to the optical bay bolt holes. (See zip tie pics for reference)

7)Attach the platform to the case top panel using zip ties (with the foam sandwiched between if you've used that), you may need to use Tweezers ties to pull up the end of the zip ties when you feed then through the loops/louvres. You want them to be fastened tight, but not too much to where you may break the loops. Trim zip ties with side cutters when you're done.

8)Put the new top panel on your 804, feed the sata/power cable to your drive/through the hole and into your case.

9)Print the optional rear access sata panel cover with support, and install on the top panel using 2 x small m3 bolts in the 2 remaining screw holes externally making sure to tighten all the way for a good fitment (may look like it's too big until completely fastened down). This part of the design was particularly lazy on my part, my original plan to mirror the front design and hide the bolts didn't work out after realising you need external screws/access to put the case together, but at this point I was done with this entire nightmare of a project (lol)

10)Enjoy your new 5.25 “internal” optical drive like it's 2006!