TestBench for ATX, Micro, Flex & Mini Motherboards

Description

This is a printable* testbench for those who need a platform to easily access, swap, and diagnose hardware on their PC. Instead of a case this motherboard stand lets you easily swap CPU, GPU, or RAM. The testbench features a hot-swappable hard drive slot. The test bench has standoffs for ATX, Micro-ATX, Flex-ATX, and Mini-ATX motherboards.

*requires brass M3 heat-set insert nuts and round top M3 screws (ideally those that came with a computer case or motherboard)

Before printing: spend some time measuring your computer components (specifically your power supply) and then going into Bambustudio and comparing dimensions using the measuring tool. Computer parts are supposed to be standardized, and I did my darndest to imbed some wiggle room, but I have found it is always better to check thrice and print once to save time and most importantly, filament.

IMPORTANT

Despite the settings of the attached print profile, it was not completed or tested on an A1, it was made on an x1-carbon. That said, I see no issue with the build volume and printing on an A1 (leave a comment/make to let us know if you have success!). But if you want to print on the x1 or P1 series there are several printer settings you need to change to make it happen.

Makerworld does not allow uploading print profiles with edited printer settings, otherwise, I would upload that profile here to save you all the trouble (if someone knows a way around this, let me know!).

Be careful changing the actual print profile settings! This is a massive print and requires this specific orientation to avoid collisions and the painted supports to avoid going over the build volume.

Printer settings that need to be changed:

The build volume on the x and p1 series has a small exclusion zone in the front left corner. This area is to protect the lever of the filament cutter during use with an AMS. We need access to the full build volume in the x&y direction to print the test bench. To access the full x&y area follow the instructions in this bambu wiki article.

We do not need to worry about z height restrictions, but with a tall print like this, it is still always good practice to make sure underneath your build plate is clear from any debris from previous prints.

After accessing the full area of the build plate, x1 and p1 users should use the auto-rotate and auto-center features to make sure the print is in the right orientation. It should match the orientation of the attached A1 print profile.

Assembling the test bench

After printing the test bench and removing the supports it is now time to grab your soldering iron and M3 heat set inserts. In the photos, I installed heat inserts into every standoff for testing reasons, but I do not recommend this for you! Instead, only install the heat inserts into the standoffs that you need for your motherboard size! The risk of causing a short or collisions under the board, even with the standardized locations for motherboard standoffs, is simply not something I know enough about to recommend one way or the other. But by not adding them you stay on the safer side and get to save your heat set inserts for other projects. – the good news is so far I have had no problems with installing all of the heat set inserts. –

• Turn your soldering iron on and set it to medium-high, or if you have temp control 275c-325c.
• Push the heat set screw insert slowly until just flush with the motherboard standoff peg.
• Try to keep the heat set insert perfectly perpendicular to the flat surface of the test bench, you can do this by trying to keep the soldering iron perpendicular to the test bench.

NOTE: depending on how big and heavy your GPU is, it might not be wise/stable for it to be just hanging out in the wind. Use at your own risk. If anyone has ideas on how to incorporate one, or experience with the geometry of GPU mounts/brackets leave a comment.