For the first time ever, COREi64.com presents an all metal reproduction of the Creative Micro Designs Inc. HD-Series hard drive case as was used in the famous HD Series hard disk drive in the 1990's.

This case is compatible with the original CMD HD-Series hard drive electronic hardware as well as the COREi64 offered with officially licensed intellectual property HD Series reproduction drive boards.

When you're placing your order, be sure to select "SHEETMETAL FABRICATION", then proceed with your order. Then "Aluminum 5052. Select material thickness of 1.2mm. Now you can select the "Surface Finish". There are many options available from brushed, anodized, painted, powder coated and so on. Pick whatever finish and color you'd like your case manufactured in. In consideration of the press fit hardware that needs to be used with this case, it is recommended that you use the bead blasted/anodized finish on the case in your choice of color.

You'll need to order both parts (top and bottom) to complete the case. The case is designed to be manufactured in Aluminum with a thickness of 1.2mm. You're of course welcome to have it manufactured in any metal you wish, however the design files are based on a 1.2mm thickness so you should constrain your order to that. For installing the press fit hardware, you'll need access to an arbor press or hydraulic press and you'll need to purchase the specially designed anvil. This anvil is specifically required for the press fit hardware utilized by this case.

It is designed to utilized the following hardware that is pressed into the bottom of the case. The holes are machined specifically for the following hardware:

https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/153-SOS-3.5M3-8

https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/153-SOS-3.5M3-10

https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/153-S-M3-1ZI

Screws used for this hardware are:

https://www.mcmaster.com/91290A117

https://www.mcmaster.com/91290A111

https://www.mcmaster.com/93475A210/

https://www.mcmaster.com/94500A221

Any M3 screw variant in their respective lengths would be suitable substitutions.

The stainless steel M3 washers are used in the following locations.

• four are used with the screws that attach the lid to the base
• there are three mounting screws for the button/led board. You will use four on each standoff between the button/led board and the standoffs that perform the function of spacers. These washer space the button/led board at the exact correct location such that the buttons can be pressed through the label when a label is affixed to the outside face of the case.
• one spacer is used on each of the three screws that hold the button/led board between the head and the face of the button/display PCB.
• four washers are used between the head of the M3 screws that hold the main logic board to the bottom of the case.

In order to press this hardware into the metal (for aluminum) you will need access to minimally a 2 ton arbor press. For steel, a hydraulic press is needed. You will need to order the custom anvil that allows you to press this hardware into the metal. If you don't press fit results cannot be guaranteed.

The photos are of the actual case produced by PCBWay, 1.2mm Aluminum, Bead Blasted Anodized Black.

Further, regarding the anvil, to order this, you need to select CNC machining, and it needs to be made out of "D1 Tool Steel" due to the amount of pressure you're going to be subjecting it to when pressing the hardware into the case.

Post any questions you have here, or through the contact page on COREi64.com Photos shown on this shared project shows the completed and assembled drive with labels and press fit hardware installed. Those components are not included when ordering your case from PCBWay Shared Projects.

Thanks for visiting my shared project!