Modular ATX Power Rack

Parametric OpenSCAD hardware repo for a simple triple-ATX power-supply bracket that mounts in a standard 19" rack as a 2U panel.

The target part is intentionally minimal:

• one laser-cut or stamped panel
• the same panel provides the ATX PSU mounting face and the rack ears
• generated flat-pattern outputs are committed in-repo
• 3D-printed validation parts are used before metal

Current Status

The repo is now scaffolded for CAD work and reproducible exports. It currently includes:

• a reusable 2U rack-face module with explicit ear-slot geometry
• a reusable ATX PSU reference module based on the Intel mechanical outline
• a first bracket candidate that now subtracts ATX hole patterns and a bracket-side face aperture

The main packaging risk is already known from the research pass:

• three nominal ATX PSU faces at 150 mm each consume 450 mm
• a standard 19" rack opening is about 17.75 in / 450.85 mm between rails
• that leaves roughly 0.85 mm total horizontal slack at the minimum rack opening

That means the concept is plausible, but only with disciplined tolerancing and explicit fit validation.

Repository Layout

.
├── CAD/
│   ├── lib/                 # shared standards data and project parameters
│   ├── parts/               # reusable geometric modules
│   ├── assemblies/          # composed models
│   ├── presets/             # named parameter sets
│   └── exports/             # thin OpenSCAD entrypoints for CLI export
├── Drawing_DXFs/            # generated flat patterns committed in-repo
├── STLs/                    # generated printable and preview meshes
├── docs/                    # research, notes, and generated docs visuals
├── scripts/                 # export helpers
├── flake.nix                # reproducible dev shell
└── README.md

Workflow

1. Enter the dev shell:

   nix develop

   Or, if you use direnv + nix-direnv, run direnv allow once and let the repo shell load automatically from .envrc.

2. Refresh all committed generated artifacts and docs media:

   scripts/refresh-generated-assets.sh

3. Check repo consistency before committing:

   scripts/check-repo.sh

   This runs the same source-of-truth validation that CI runs on GitHub.

4. Inspect the current source entrypoints:

   • CAD/assemblies/prototype_bracket.scad
   • CAD/exports/prototype_bracket_flat.scad
   • CAD/exports/prototype_bracket_preview.scad

The committed generated artifacts are:

• Drawing_DXFs/v0_1_laser_cut_release.dxf
• STLs/v0_1_laser_cut_release_preview.stl
• STLs/fit_coupon_left_rail_to_psu.stl
• STLs/fit_coupon_center_psu_spacing.stl
• STLs/fit_coupon_right_rail_to_psu.stl
• STLs/rack_corner_alignment_gauge.stl

Notes:

Study/reference entrypoints remain under CAD/exports/, but those outputs are no longer committed alongside fabrication-ready and physical-validation files.

Generated DXF, STL, and committed docs-media assets are all source-derived. Treat the OpenSCAD and render scripts as the authority and use scripts/refresh-generated-assets.sh as the default regeneration path whenever committed CAD outputs or docs-render scripts change. scripts/export-all.sh and scripts/render-docs.sh remain the narrower leaf commands behind that workflow. The committed docs-media policy lives in docs/assets/README.md.

Roadmap

1. Validate real rack and PSU hardware against the printed gauges.
2. Decide whether the current ATX aperture is sufficient before first metal.