Developer, synthesist and 3D printing enthusiast Geert Bevin has introduced RackBlox, a system of 3D-printable modular Eurorack case boxes, for single modules or groups of modules that belong together.
Bevin is best known for his role as Director of Software Development at Moog, and for his work in creating the MIDI MPE standard. But he’s also a proponent of 3D printing.
During the pandemic, he made and donated over 1,000 masks with replaceable filters, and open-sourced the designs. More recently, he’s created the Dynamod Game System for creating custom gaming maps and a system of synth patch overlays for the visually impaired.
RackBlox is a system of printable ‘case boxes’. They’re designed in a variety of sizes, ranging from 4HP to 20HP.
Modules mount in the cases boxes, without the need to use screws, using a ‘slide and snap’ design. Each box can be protected with a lid that works both when used in a larger case or standalone for storage.
Individual module cases attach together, so you can create cases of any size that you like, and even rearrange your system without having to remove your modules.
In addition to holding your modules, you can print a beverage holder that keep your beverage of choice securely in place.
Here’s Bevin’s video overview:
“I’ve open-sourced the unique and innovative design elements, including the sliding box connector, the screwless module attachment, the snap-on lid and more,” notes Bevin. “The 4HP and 10HP finished designs are available for free, as well as the sides.”
The complete set of STL files is available to Patreon backers for $5. See the project site for details.
Then there’s just the small problem of powering the modules…
The last time I called a 3D print store and asked about printing some small nuts and bolts the quote was absolutely ridiculous
I laughed and wondered how they ever did any business at all
I dread to think the cost of having something like this printed
Plus there’s good stiff cardboard out there that makes better cases
Custom 3D printing jobs are expensive because 3D printing is more involved that just paper printing.
A lot of people have 3D printers themselves and can print anything they want, as many times they want, in any color they want, for cheap. This project is for them.
FYI you can get a high quality, very fast and reliable 3D printer for $399 nowadays that will print the 20HP RackBlox case for about $8 with high quality materials.
first of all, thank you so much for this gift to the community! very cool!! secondly, can you please recommend some good / reliable 3d printers in that range? is there a certain brand of materials that is reliable as well? Ive been wanting a 3d printer for a variety of reasons, this may be the one to make me pull the trigger.
you can pick up a decent printer at micro center for $99 bucks and 20 for a roll of filament. Might take you a couple of days to print 8 modules, specially those very large beer holders.
@asap I’ve designed the large can holders to be mostly empty with slanted internal structures to save space and still provide support. It saved on a lot of material.
The cost of the actual print would be pretty minimal with your own printer. A refurbished Ender 3 V2 printer will run roughly $200, and then the materials to print each block can be more than a dollar or two.
3D Print shops almost always overcharge, a lot of libraries have 3D printers now and are much more affordable. If you’re worried about maintaining the machine, if you maintain a eurorack setup, you should have no problem keeping a printer running.
Why would you print small nuts and bolts? Buy them from a retailer that makes nuts and bolts lol. What a waste, asking for them to quote it.
Power is right there in the first picture and then other pictures showing how it’s connected.
“badly”
Yep, sadly they seem to be using flying bus cables, welcome to random noise problems. That’s never a good solution, filtered busboards are objectively better.
Aren’t you happy that is a v1.0 release, that it’s open source and that anything can be improved, go for it!
Nice idea but liquid should never be so close to any synth or computer
my tablet is water resistant
In most cases it already is, but with this there’s less chance of knocking it over.
Free? I guess, the plastic filament and energy used to print these is more expensive than some wood sheets.
3D printers use about as much energy as light bulbs.
The plastic filament cost for the boxes is a couple of dollars.
do your remaining brain cells a favor; don’t drink alcohol.
That’s a great design! First thing I’ve seen that makes me want to buy a 3D printer.
My local library offers 3D printing for free, including filament. Just need to bring the STL file. May be worth checking to see if your library has similar offerings.
Love this.. great to see some designers just having fun
I prefer Lego :-)… more flexible. But i like modular ideas like these 3D-printed also…
Awesome work Geert! As always!
Very cool and excited to check it out and possibly print some with my Ender! These people commenting in here are so weird with their naysaying… it’s designed for people that are interested in it.. if you’re not, your comments are silly, and you don’t get it.
Geert, this is a great idea! To take the idea further, it’d be nice to have a case you could then drop these into that had the power rails setup in it.
I’ve been thinking about how to setup my “new” home studio in this way, where I don’t have everything out, but instead just pull synths off racks and have a table or two to setup gear for a particular piece I’m working on.