3D Printing a Server Case: My Elegoo Centauri Carbon Adventure

3D Printing a Server Case: My Elegoo Centauri Carbon Adventure

I've been fascinated by 3D printing for over a decade, thanks to Ultimaker's generous loan program. My journey began with the Anet A8, which I built from scratch and nicknamed "Firestarter" due to its laser cutting abilities. Since then, I've owned several 3D printers, including the Creality Ender 2 Pro, which helped me learn the basics of 3D printing. Most recently, I upgraded to the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro and currently use it with PETG filament. But my latest adventure was 3D printing an entire server case using the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

The $299 Centauri Carbon is a Core XY printer that uses a unique X and Y axis setup, allowing for faster print speeds and better speed consistency compared to traditional printers. The print chamber is fully enclosed, but lacks a heated chamber, which I found didn't affect the quality of my PETG prints. To prove its capabilities, I decided to push myself and the Centauri Carbon by 3D printing a NAS ITX PC case, specifically Haydn Bao's Modcase MASS.

The premium model of the Modcase MASS is available for $27, which includes features like extended APU sections, low-profile PCIe cards, and taller CPU coolers. The free version, on the other hand, has limited space for drives and features. I was impressed by the quality of the 3D print files provided in 3MF format, as well as the detailed instructions and Bill of Materials (BoM) documentation.

The prints were flawless, with no failed prints throughout the entire process. However, I did experience a few minor issues during the filament change process, which may be attributed to user error or a bug in the machine. Despite these hiccups, the output was perfect, and I'm happy to chalk it up to learning experience.

The total print time was 37 hours and 15 minutes, using 1.4 kg of PETG filament. The cost of electricity was astonishingly low at £1.16, thanks to my Elegoo Centauri Carbon connected to a Tapo P110 smart plug. I also purchased two rolls of Elegoo Rapid PETG for $27 on Amazon, which has given me plenty of spare parts.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! 3D printing a case is still a niche activity, but with the current crop of Core XY printers like the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, it's becoming increasingly accessible. This printer opened up a world of possibilities for me, and I'm excited to explore more projects in the future.

Technical Specifications:

  • Elegoo Centauri Carbon Core XY Printer
  • 256 x 256 x 256 mm (10.07x10.07x10.07 inches) PEI-coated steel flex plate
  • PETG and PLA prints were perfect without a heated chamber
  • F filament change process was seamless, with automatic pause and reset
  • Total print time: 37 hours and 15 minutes
  • Total filament usage: 1.4 kg (PETG)
  • Print cost: £1.16 (electricity only)

Sources:

  • Elegoo Centauri Carbon Review by Tom's Hardware
  • Haydn Bao's Modcase MASS 3D Model
  • Tapo P110 Smart Plug
  • Elegoo Rapid PETG Filament