This was the perfect project to learn CAD.  I had built models for 3D printing in OpenSCAD before, but never been able to get my head around sketch-based modelling, which is what I really needed for a dimension-critical model like this.

Initially I thought I would be able to 3D-print something, but the model was too big for my print bed, and the parts would have been too flimsy.  I looked up my options for getting laser-cut acrylic parts and decided this would be a perfect opportunity to try out an online service.  I redesigned my model around 3mm acrylic and sent off the DXFs.

I was super excited when the parts arrived and jumped straight into assembly.  I definitely could have spent more time thinking about how this would go together - there were a ton of fiddly super-glue joints that were hard to hold and got excess glue everywhere, which was VERY visible on black acrylic.  Fortunately the excess glue cleaned up nicely with vegetable oil (learned something new!).

I had tentatively planned to drill holes sideways into the shelves to mount them, but a few minutes of trying to do that by hand convinced me that was a terrible idea.  Putting a 2mm hole in a 3mm sheet looked easy enough on CAD, but I did not have the skills to do it in real life.  Instead I 3D-printed some simple blocks to sit in each corner under the shelves, each held in with M2 hardware.

Once I had it built I realized I had other parts that would fit in the rack besides NUCs.  I decided to make it into my control system lab using three generations of Crestron processors from my home lab.  To top it off, I found a perfectly-sized 5-port switch and printed a logo plate.

Working on miniatures always reminds me of what a big clumsy oaf I am, but I am very happy that it turned out as well as it did.  It's a fantastic addition to my desk, and a very satisfying project.