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Internal chassis replacement for Macintosh Performa 6116CD

DannyMac

6502
Hello! I've been searching for it, but I'm unable to find anyone who has a replacement Performa 6116CD internal chassis. performa6116cd_internal_chassis.png
Years ago, I purchased the machine from eBay and it came from a seller who packaged it really well, but there's really nothing they could have done for the internal chassis. It's the part that holds the drives, power LED, and speaker. It is extremely brittle, like even more so than Macs typically are nowadays. Kind of reminds me of the brittle iMac CRT plastics that are crumbling. I actually broke it more while disassembling the machine last night by lightly pushing on a part of it that I wasn't even interacting with! I feel like a 3D printable recreation would be great, but I lack a 3D printer (and the skills to create the part, which I wouldn't mind learning). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement? Thanks
 
I've started work on an MVP 3D printable replacement - funnily enough this exact project is what motivated me to finally pick up Blender! Mine is not an exact recreation, but is designed to hold an additional fan in place of the hard drive to improve airflow - but the general shape is the same. It will be a while before it is done, though, so will be watching this thread 😄

The size of this bracket makes it a complex 3D print, since it is larger than what most printers can accomodate. My current design is three separate sections that snap together. Will they actually snap together, though? I will know once I print a test 😆
 
I also use Blender for modeling. It's easy to join parts with a soldering iron, or acetone if it's ABS.
 
@killvore That's great! Since my post, I purchased a 3D printer, installed Blender, and went to work! I would love to see your version when it's ready. My replacement is done in 3 sections and I included 3mm screw holes to join them together... it seems to work well! I've included photos. While designing mine, I too had thought about attempting to put in a fan in the HD area, but also make it to where it could accomodate a BlueSCSI... but I'm a bit wore out with this project. I'm happy with where it is for now.


Here's the STL files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6989132
 
Hello! I've been searching for it, but I'm unable to find anyone who has a replacement Performa 6116CD internal chassis. View attachment 83405
Years ago, I purchased the machine from eBay and it came from a seller who packaged it really well, but there's really nothing they could have done for the internal chassis. It's the part that holds the drives, power LED, and speaker. It is extremely brittle, like even more so than Macs typically are nowadays. Kind of reminds me of the brittle iMac CRT plastics that are crumbling. I actually broke it more while disassembling the machine last night by lightly pushing on a part of it that I wasn't even interacting with! I feel like a 3D printable recreation would be great, but I lack a 3D printer (and the skills to create the part, which I wouldn't mind learning). Before I try to reinvent the wheel, does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement? Thanks

Where are you located? I have a bunch of these from a haul of 15 or so 6100s and 12 or so Quadra 605s that share a lot of innards. Many broke during disassembly, but even missing some of the bottom tabs, they still stay in place.
 
@killvore That's great! Since my post, I purchased a 3D printer, installed Blender, and went to work! I would love to see your version when it's ready. My replacement is done in 3 sections and I included 3mm screw holes to join them together... it seems to work well! I've included photos. While designing mine, I too had thought about attempting to put in a fan in the HD area, but also make it to where it could accomodate a BlueSCSI... but I'm a bit wore out with this project. I'm happy with where it is for now.


Here's the STL files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6989132
This is absolutely phenomenal work, and puts mine to shame 😄 well done, this is incredible!
 
An external chassis I suppose is much easier: you just get some sheet metal, cut it to the right plan, bend it and then screw it together with suitable standoffs. I guess you could also reduce the total surface area by mounting drives above the logic board and PSU, because the Nubus slots (ie slot) is horizontal. The front, top-half, would need to be open for the drives and the top would need to be separate, but otherwise, surely quite doable?

Or would people just buy an off-the-shelf ATX case and try and fit it?
 
Love it, especially the three part modular approach! Opens up some possibilities there.

The HDD module can be customized for my cooling system. Height/thickness can be optimized for stacking blower and a 2.5" HDD on top. Setting the chassis vertically into the case allows for foam weatherstripped interface with chassis bottom. making a smooth square to circular transition in that cubic improves airflow and incorporate air dam closing off the opening at the bottom.

000-Air-Dam-Ducting.JPG

Lower the blower a tad and make provision for the likes of an offset 2.5" to 3.5" HDD conversion shelf above the blower and good to go for BlueSCSI. That slide in carrier setup eats up a lot of cubic that can be put to good use for better airflow.

 
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