Parametric 10" Lab Rack Transit Case

Intro

Do you have some 10" network gear you want to be able to move around with a modest amount of protection? Then this is the model for you. This rack is a bit like a Gator case or SKB case, but printable (and not as strong). If you print racks that are the same depth, they can be stacked.

I have uploaded 3mfs that cover 7u to 3u with a 225mm depth. If you'd like other sizes and don't have Fusion 360, message me and I'll upload them. 7u is the biggest that will fit on a Prusa XL.

This model can easily use 2kg of filament. It takes ~1kg to print a 7U/255mm case, plus most of another spool to print the lids. There are more cost effective prints for making lab racks than this one. I wanted a 'transit case' style rack and so this is what I ended up with.

Vitamins

You will need some hardware to complete this project:

• 8x M3x8mm screws to hold the foot/footcups onto the case body.

• #10-32 nuts to go into the rack rails.

• #10-32 3/4" screws to hold equipment to the rack.

• A bit of spare filament to pin the clasps to the lids.

Parts and Print Settings

When exported from Fusion 360, the model is exported as it was designed (which is messy for printing). The 3mf files I have included are laid out in the way I prefer and include recommended settings.

These parts work best when printed in a GF or CF reinforced material. I have used PETG GF and PETG CF with good results. These prints have a tendency to warp, so plain filaments probably won't work. I have not tried CF/GF + ASA/ABS/PC/PA/PPA but I suspect they would work well.

Unless otherwise noted, I recommend 5 top/bottom layers + 3 perimeters, 15% infill of your choice (I use rectilinear). You can go with more perimeters but 3 has been adequate without using excessive filament. No support material is needed for any of these prints.

• Case/U Hole/InfillModifier

  • Printed as a single object. This is the main body of the case. To make it parametric the rack rails had to be made as individual pieces which means a cluttered 3mf.

  • The InfillModifier should be used to set the infill of the middle section of the case to 0%. This saves time and a little bit of filament.

• FrontLid/Backlid

  • These are identical. If you feel like just printing one model twice that will work.

• Pin# & Clasp#

  • You will need 8 of each.

  • Print both with 8 perimeters so they are solid.

• TPU Foot & TPU FootCup

  • Print these out of TPU or PEBA. Harder TPU works well, these do not need to be soft.

  • You will need 4 of each.

  • Print both with 8 perimeters so they are solid.

Assembly

The pins/clasps should be self explanatory. When adding nuts to the rails for the first time, it will be a little bit stiff as they get pulled into place (it is a friction fit). Once the nuts are fully seated they should be held in place by the print and should not fall out.

Parametric Info

This parametric model is designed to let you generate an arbitrarily sized transit case for 10" compatible lab rack equipment. The tweak-able parameters are:

• LidDepth: Adjusts the interior depth of the transit case lids.

• U_Count: Adjusts the total interior height of the rack in rack units.

• RackDepth: Adjusts the rack mounting depth.

• RackWidth: Lets you make arbitrary rack widths. 10" or 19" should generate "standard" sized racks.

  • Other values will work but aren't a standard. I have only tested 10", I do not think this design is actually sturdy enough for 19".

Attribution

This model was remixed from the work of @Tommegg_1028157 and @TheSameNameTwice.