This remixes the excellent single 2U rack mount panel from Maurício and makes a 6U version with mounting holes for the WinWing MCDU and a spacer to allow it to sit flat without rocking. Like the original you need 6 M4x8 hex screws and 6 M4 hex nuts (total 18 each to connect the sides) plus the M4 screws from WinWing to mount the MCDU into your pedestal. Did you know the pedestal is basically a 19" rack? Or at least that works well in place of whatever Airbus actually uses (and is cheap to buy a 12U set of rails from Amazon)
Now these are designed to print on an XL sized printer, and I found the mk4 sized ones flexed between the panels for a less than realistic look. Additionally I thickened the ribs by 5mm to make the panel extremely rigid when pressing on the MCDU.
I hate supports if not needed, and the MCDU has a boss on the bottom (presumably for key travel) so I made a spacer that prints separately to raise the whole box up to sit flat. I painted the whole thing to match, and face down on the textured plate gives the paint a real powder coated look like real steel.
Key items are the 6 M4 clearance holes to attach the MCDU (using the fake DZUS connectors - really a M4 screw with the plastic surround in the sim) and most importantly a large cutout for the USB-C connector on the bottom. This also includes a strain relief for the USB cable (just use a small nylon wire tie)
As always the STEP files are included (like the original), and the right and left folders contain both STEP and 3MF as needed.
I printed mine in galaxy black PLA at 0.15 and 3 perimeters, 20% hex infill, and they are plenty stiff (no they aren't water jet cut aluminum panels, but hey $2 versus $200 is a good deal. I spray painted mine with the proper RAL 7031 spray-paint from ScratchesHappen to match the Airbus panels, and they look pretty realistic. I didn't make the MCDUs mount right on the rail like the real aircraft does as depending on your pedestal setup that might interfere. You can put 1 panels on a single build plate on the XL.
The spacer is for either side, and can be printed on a MK3/4 bed (I did in PETG). Just print/paint to match the main panel and each one disappears under the MCDU. Note with the spacer I found the M4x30 screws fit best through to the back
Oh, you were wondering why the writing appears upside down when assembled? Well I have my rack hinged at the nose of the panel and when hinged up they are right side up…
Total BOM:
Slight update: Added bosses around the screws that intersected the ribs, and added a little pillar in the middle of the wire-tie holder to aid in printing for the long bridge.
The author remixed this model.
This takes the excellent single 2U rack mount panel by Maurício and makes a 6U version with mounting holes for the WinWing MCDU for Capt and FO (R & L).