6 x 3.5″ HDD cage for Eurobox 20 x 15cm (AUER EG21512)

Got a lot of harddrives to carry around? Maybe because you work in computer service or in a datacenter? Then this frame insert for these cute 15 × 20 cm Euroboxes is here to make your life easier. (Particularly AUER EG21512)

This model converts your plain Eurobox to a handy harddrive carrier for up to 6 large form factor drives.

The two part object was designed in OpenSCAD and is parametric.

Main Features

• Keeps HDDs safely in place
• sturdy construction that can cope with the total weight of up to six HDDs
• Compatible with most 3.5″ HDDs and datacenter SSDs
• Automatically aligns the two parts
• Bottom part is friction fit in AUER Euroboxes

The design should be compatible with Euroboxes from other manufacturers. Though, I haven't tested this.

Disks are guided by slats of the top and bottom frame parts.

Labelling

The top frame can be labelled to your liking. The default model uses numbers 0-5 and automatically spaces them correctly on the object.

If you want to change the single-character labels, you can change the EBX_frame_label_text variable which is also exposed in OpenSCAD Customizer in case you're uncomfortable with modifying code.

Recommended Print Settings

This is an easy print.

• The 0.20mm STRUCTURAL preset in Průša Slicer makes a sturdy frame
• No supports needed
• PET-G recommended as PLA is more brittle.
• ABS, ASA, PA should work just fine as well, though I haven't tested either material
• Prints pretty quickly and uses between 85 and 100g of filament. (depending on your specific slicer settings.)

Printing Project

A .3mf project file is provided with the settings that I use.

Plate 1

This is just the bottom part, just start your print with this one.

Plates 2 and 3

These are both the top part, print one of these.

Plate 2 is a single color, plain and simple.

If you want to paint the lettering afterwards this is the one to go.

Plate 3 is the same top part but with a preconfigured manual color change. So you can swap filaments once to get contrasting labels.

Assembly

To assemble the construction slide the bottom part into the Eurobox, then set the top frame upon it. The pegs autoalign. In most cases everything stays in place through friction.

Sometimes the clearances of a box are ever so slightly off so the top frame may be a little  too wiggly for your comfort. In that case feel free to use a dab of glue on each of the pegs to secure the two frame parts to each other.

Considerations during design

During the testing phase of this construction I tried a full height single piece frame. It worked fine but took about 8-12 hours to print and used an unnecessary amount of filament. This final design uses less than a third of the first prototypes and prints about four times faster.

Still without requiring any supports which would just waste filament.

Got feedback? Please post in the comments!

Eurobox features

When inserted, the Eurobox stays stackable without HDDs. Since 3.5″ HDDs are taller than this Eurobox it's impossible to properly stack them with HDDs.

As a result this is more suitable for on-site, shorter-distance transportation. For longer distance or more disks a similar insert for larger Euroboxes may be worth considering.

Post in the comments if you're interested in a variant with fewer but sideways aligneddisks so the Eurobox is stackable with and without disks.

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What are Euroboxes?

Euro containers are a standardized system for stackable logistics containers and are used all over Europe and beyond. Curious? Read up on the Euro Container to learn more!