Assembling SimuCUBE 480W/720W kit

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Assembled 480/720W SimuCUBE system. Assembling this is the goal of this document.

This guide gives instructions of assembling a Granite Devices SimuCUBE kit for 480W/720W power supply options. The kit of needed parts is available through Granite Devices web shop and also has been offered through SimuCUBE Indiegogo launch campaign.

See also List of SimuCUBE documentation for 320W model kit assembly instructions and other guides.

Tools and parts needed[edit | edit source]

Tools[edit | edit source]
  • Metric hex keys (2.5 + 3 + 4 mm)
  • Suitable wrench or pliers to hold M3 and M4 nuts
  • Small file, might be needed to touch off some of the laser cut tenons to ease up the assembly and prevent the use of excessive force
  • Suitable crimpers for wire terminals or a soldering iron
Parts (included in the full kit)[edit | edit source]
  • 1 pc SimuCUBE + IONI drive
  • 7 pcs acrylic pieces for the case
  • 1 pcs Meanwell NDR-480 or SDR-480 power supply
  • 8 pcs M3x8 button head screw
  • 6 pcs M3x12 button head screw
  • 2 pcs M3x10 countersunk screw
  • 4 pcs M4x16 socket screw
  • 4 pcs M5x10 button head screw
  • 2 pcs M3 locking nut
  • 4 pcs M4 locking nut
  • 4 pcs threaded 10mm brass cubes
  • 1 pc Schurter DC11.00001.003 IEC power socket (Farnell 1207680
, Digikey 486-1963-ND)
  • 1 pc 80x80x25mm cooling fan capable of starting at 5V
  • 60 cm of 1.5 mm^2 wire for electrical connections
  • 30 cm of 1.5 mm^2 yellow-green wire for protective earthing
Optional[edit | edit source]
  • Gloves to prevent fingerprints on the acrylic parts while assembling the system
  • Wire end ferrules
  • Heat shrink tubing

Assembly[edit | edit source]

1) Cut off the round parts from the acrylic back plate and save these for later. These will be used as spacers for the SimuCUBE motherboard.

Simucube acrylic spacers common.png

2) Attach grounding and mains wires to the power connector by either soldering them or by using the crimp terminals. If you don't have an access to proper crimp pliers for these type of terminals, then soldering is more preferred method to prevent wires from getting loose. Cut wires approx 14 cm long (total length with crimp connectors becomes approx 14-15 cm).

Mains power socket
Wires soldered to the connector
Heat shrink tubing to cover up the contacts
Wires with terminals attached
Terminals attached to the plug terminals

3) Fix the power plug to the acrylic back plate with M3x10 countersunk screws and M3 locking nuts.

Big case powerplug1.png
Big case powerplug2.png

4) Put the two pieces of thin tape to the power supply as in the image (helps with assembly). Unscrew the marked screws to detach the DIN rail connector and the other marked screws. Follow the instructions with the type of power supply you have (SDR-480 or NDR-480).

Remove the three circled screws to detach the DIN rail mount
Put two pieces of thin tape to the positions shown in the photo to ease up the assembly later
Meanwell NDR-480
Remove the six circled screws (NDR-480)
Meanwell SDR-480
Remove the six circled screws (SDR-480)

5) Attach the power supply to the back plate with four M3x10 button head screws (be careful, do not tighten too much!). Slide the bottom plate below the power supply (use the two screwless holes on the bottom of the PSU as a reference to align the bottom) and to the slots on the back plate and screw two M3x10 button head screws from the bottom.


Big case power1.png
Big case power2.png

6) Connect grounding and mains wires to the power supply's screw terminal. Cut wires approx 13 cm long (total length with crimp ferrules becomes approx 13 cm).

Wiring diagram for SimuCUBE motherboard + Meanwell NDR-480-48 (480W kit)
Wiring diagram for SimuCUBE motherboard + Meanwell SDR-480-48 (720W kit)
Mains and ground wires attached to Meanwell NDR-480

7) Attach IONI to the SimuCUBE motherboard by pressing it to the PCI-E-type connector. Align the motherboard onto the acrylic middle piece so that the edge of the connector edge of the circuit board is flush with the main edge of the acrylic (not the three protruding parts) and the holes line up. Use the four spacers cut from the acrylic back plate, four M4x16 screws and four locking nuts.

Big case middle1.png
Big case middle2.png

8) Attach the 80mm fan on the acrylic side piece with four M5x10 button head screws, use the photo as a reference on which way the fan should be aligned. This configuration sucks air to the case and blows it towards the IONI and through the power supply.

Big case fan1.png
Big case fan2.png

9) Slide the motherboard assembly on top of the power supply and into the slots on the back of the case.

Big case inside1.png
Big case inside2.png

10) Attach positive (+48VDC), negative and grounding wires between the power supply output and motherboard terminals. Crimp the fork terminal on the other end of the grounding cable and do a pull test to make sure it is crimped well. Cut the earthing wire approx 13 cm long (total length with crimp connectors becomes approx 14 cm).

See step 6 for the wiring diagram

Grounding wire with a fork terminal attached
Grounding wire is attached under the screw near the voltage output terminals
Positive, negative and ground connected to Meanwell NDR-480
Positive, negative and ground connected to the SimuCUBE motherboard

11) Attach the fan side plate in place and attach the fan wires to the quick terminal on the motherboard.

Fan wires attached to the motherboard

12) Attach the two 10mm threaded cubes to the acrylic front plate with M3x6 button head screws and align the holes as shown on the image.

Big case front1.png
Big case front2.png

13) Attach the left exhaust panel and top panel with the logo to the case and carefully wiggle the front plate in place. Screw one M3x6 button head screw from either side to the 10mm threaded cubes previously attached to the front plate.

Big case whole1.png
Big case whole2.png

14) Follow the SimuCUBE system user guide for usage




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