Hi everyone. Here is my story for the contest.
I was brought onto a team of students from a local college looking to build a distributed node super computer. My task was to design and build a framework to hold 6 motherboards, a network switch, a power supply, and a few other accessory components. I was given a size and weight limitation, the unit must fit into a pelican case that is cleared for airline travel, and the entire unit including the case and computer hardware must weigh under 50 pounds.
To build the framework, the obvious choice of tools was my small, but growing, festool collection. The TS-75 made quick work of the 1/8” aluminum plate that was used for the side walls, motherboard plates, and center support of the framework. I used the CT-48 with the boom arm connected directly to the TS, and a CT-Midi to collect the stray aluminum chips that escaped from the saw. The T-18 was used to drill all the holes corresponding to the mounting points of the motherboards, hard drive, power supply, network switch, and those that would later be tapped for the cross bars. Anywhere that contact with a person or wires was possible, the aluminum needed to be deburred for safety. This was accomplished with a RO-150 and titan sand paper.
The results were fantastic. The unit was welcomed by the team from the college, and was later used to prepare for a competition at Super Computing 12. The framework I built was used as a test bed to prepare for the competition where the team was given a system with identical hardware housed in a very similar framework. The team went on to take second place in the competition.
The festool lineup used CT-48, CT-Midi, T-18, TS-75, RO-150, 1400mm Rail, Quick clamps
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Cutting the aluminum sheet down to size
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Showing the CT-48 with the 36 ad 23mm hoses mounted and ready to use with the TS-75
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A better view of the quick clamp (these thing are great)
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Drilling the holes for mounting various components
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Deburring the mounting plates
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The Finished product
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And...
As you can see my systainer collection is growing large enough that I actually built a sysport into my new workbench.
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Unfortunately I had to used a ridgid miter saw to cut the bar stock to size as I don't have a Kapex (yet). the difference in cut quality between the festool aluminum blades and the Freud blades I used on the Ridgid is amazing. I don't think I need to tell all of you about the difference in dust collection either.
Best,
Daniel
I was brought onto a team of students from a local college looking to build a distributed node super computer. My task was to design and build a framework to hold 6 motherboards, a network switch, a power supply, and a few other accessory components. I was given a size and weight limitation, the unit must fit into a pelican case that is cleared for airline travel, and the entire unit including the case and computer hardware must weigh under 50 pounds.
To build the framework, the obvious choice of tools was my small, but growing, festool collection. The TS-75 made quick work of the 1/8” aluminum plate that was used for the side walls, motherboard plates, and center support of the framework. I used the CT-48 with the boom arm connected directly to the TS, and a CT-Midi to collect the stray aluminum chips that escaped from the saw. The T-18 was used to drill all the holes corresponding to the mounting points of the motherboards, hard drive, power supply, network switch, and those that would later be tapped for the cross bars. Anywhere that contact with a person or wires was possible, the aluminum needed to be deburred for safety. This was accomplished with a RO-150 and titan sand paper.
The results were fantastic. The unit was welcomed by the team from the college, and was later used to prepare for a competition at Super Computing 12. The framework I built was used as a test bed to prepare for the competition where the team was given a system with identical hardware housed in a very similar framework. The team went on to take second place in the competition.
The festool lineup used CT-48, CT-Midi, T-18, TS-75, RO-150, 1400mm Rail, Quick clamps
[attachthumb=1]
[attachthumb=2]
Cutting the aluminum sheet down to size
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
Showing the CT-48 with the 36 ad 23mm hoses mounted and ready to use with the TS-75
[attachthumb=7]
A better view of the quick clamp (these thing are great)
[attachthumb=8]
Drilling the holes for mounting various components
[attachthumb=5]
Deburring the mounting plates
[attachthumb=6]
The Finished product
[attachthumb=10]
And...
As you can see my systainer collection is growing large enough that I actually built a sysport into my new workbench.
[attachthumb=9]
Unfortunately I had to used a ridgid miter saw to cut the bar stock to size as I don't have a Kapex (yet). the difference in cut quality between the festool aluminum blades and the Freud blades I used on the Ridgid is amazing. I don't think I need to tell all of you about the difference in dust collection either.
Best,
Daniel
