Lian Li's side panels Crenulate edge

[acemorgan]

Does anybody know how & or what tool or tools is used to make thoose groves along the edges of Lian Li case side panels & window trim. Just like on a dime or quarter of coins? Lian Li call it a Crenulate edge I want to have it done on my new panels now that i've redone my case. I haven't found any machine or sheet metal shops that know how to do this.

[clokker]

Given that you don't have the manufacturing capabilities available to Lian-li, this could be difficult.

However, what's a mod without difficulties?

I'd look into a process called "knurling" and see if it couldn't be adapted to your needs.

[Langer]

A steady hand a rough file... make a template and carve your own 'saw tooth' edge. Clean it up with a fine file.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

could you post a picture of what you are thinking of? because if your thinking of what I'm thinking of then your interested in a custom aluminum extrusion

[Langer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/Langer/misc/v2010d2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/Langer/misc/v2010d1.jpg

Lian-Li Stamp their panels from aluminum sheet using a large die (a blade bent to the shape of the part) under probably 50+tonnes.

Getting a die made would cost thousands of $$USD, and finding a machine shop that will have a press large enough to accommodate such a request will be hard.

(I have a press, if you get a die made, I could stamp it for you. You'd need to get your die made to a certain spec though - I could provide this)

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Lian-Li Stamp their panels from aluminum sheet using a large die (a blade bent to the shape of the part) under probably 50+tonnes.

Getting a die made would cost thousands of $$USD, and finding a machine shop that will have a press large enough to accommodate such a request will be hard.

(I have a press, if you get a die made, I could stamp it for you. You'd need to get your die made to a certain spec though - I could provide this)

haha, nice langer you've certainly got the hookups :up:

I was thinking at one time to do a nickel plated theme build but maybe you would be better suited to produce a build named "Prometheus Ni" :D

[acemorgan]

Thanks for the info. Yes just like in the pics I want to try to get the same groves along the edges. it feels so bare without them lol. My side panels are for the pc-2000. their gonna be laser cut out from the same kind of aluminum sheets that lian li uses, matching the same design & matching the curves around the 4 corners of both side panels & the same curves around corners of the window. I just found the exact matching blind studs (fasteners) that go around the insides for securing the metel strips to the panels to the case. I've added 252mm to the case from front to back & 268mm from top to bottem & a stainless steel frame almost 4mm thinck going all the way around the case on both sides joined by four 5/8 diameter pipes 8 inches across the case in the corners. where the wheels are i added in steel plates for extra support. Hope to get my camera before xmass to post up some pics.

[Langer]

There are very few lasers out there than can actually cut aluminum. Waterjet will be your best bet.

You could incorporate that kind of edge in your part drawing, a waterjet could cut a rough edge similar to that.

[acemorgan]

There are several places that do water jet cutting I can ask around

[Serpentarius]

1. draw it the design "prouting out saw design"
2. get the dremel .. make saw teeth design
3. get a grinder to trim out the sharp edges
4. sand paper / finer abrasive disc
5. paint?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

1. draw it the design "prouting out saw design"
2. get the dremel .. make saw teeth design
3. get a grinder to trim out the sharp edges
4. sand paper / finer abrasive disc
5. paint?

theres no way you could get it to look even doing that, it would be an exercise in driving yourself crazy

[inCore]

Making a window is enough to drive most people crazy, this is beyond human. There are thousands of edges to cut and making just two that look similar isn't even easy task.

Can a waterjet cut such small things actually?

[acemorgan]

Im going to pick up my new panels tommarow. I showed him the (laser masters) here in town the original panels & mentioned about the edges with the Crenulate edges. He said it might me possible. we'll see My new camera comes friday or monday i can get some pics posted up hopefully. curious to know what other modders would think of my idea i did to my case lol.

[acemorgan]

This is my case before I changed it.
Soon I'll have some pics of it stripped (bare aluminum) before i reanodized it again.:yepp: