Komorida’s Minimal BALMUDA Style NAS case turns ZimaBoard 2 into a compact two-drive enclosure built around two 3.5-inch HDD bays. The original MakerWorld project combines a clean desktop form with active airflow, removable hardware, and a fastening system based on M3 screws and heat-set inserts.
The design is more than a cosmetic shell. It brings the board, two full-size hard drives, and a 120 mm fan into one enclosure while keeping the build serviceable. The creator printed the case in Sunlu PETG on a Bambu Lab P1S and modified the fan cable with a PicoBlade connector to match the ZimaBoard-side connection.
What This ZimaBoard 2 NAS Case Is Designed to Do
The project is designed specifically around a compact ZimaBoard 2 NAS layout rather than a generic SBC enclosure. Its defining feature is space for two 3.5-inch hard drives alongside the server board, giving users a cleaner way to organize a small local-storage build without leaving the drives exposed on a desk.
That physical layout matches one of the main strengths of ZimaBoard 2: the platform is built for expandable storage and includes native SATA connectivity. The enclosure does not change the electrical capabilities of the board; instead, it organizes the hardware into a more finished desktop system.
How the Enclosure Is Organized
Two 3.5-Inch HDD Bays
The case is designed around two 3.5-inch hard drives. This is the central difference between the project and smaller ZimaBoard 2 cases that only protect the board itself. For a home NAS, the design creates a single physical structure for the compute node and bulk storage.
The source project confirms the two-drive layout, but it does not specify a complete drive-power configuration. Builders should therefore plan drive power, SATA cabling, and cable clearance as separate parts of the final NAS assembly rather than assuming the enclosure itself solves those electrical requirements.
120 mm Fan Mount for Active Airflow
Komorida integrated a 120 mm fan mount into the enclosure. Instead of relying only on the ZimaBoard 2 chassis to dissipate heat, the case can move air around the board and hard drives as a combined system.
This is particularly relevant when two 3.5-inch drives are operating inside the same enclosure. The source confirms the fan size and the creator’s wiring modification, but it does not provide controlled temperature comparisons, so the design should be described as providing active airflow rather than guaranteeing a specific temperature reduction.
M3 Screws and Heat-Set Inserts
The enclosure uses M3 screws together with M3 heat-set insert nuts. That choice makes the printed case easier to open and reassemble than a design that relies entirely on plastic threads or permanent clips. It also makes sense for a NAS that may need future drive replacement, cable changes, or fan maintenance.
Printing and Hardware Requirements
The creator documented a specific print and assembly setup. These details are useful as a known-good reference, but they should not be interpreted as the only possible combination of printer or material.
| Component | Confirmed in the Source Build |
|---|---|
| Target system | ZimaBoard 2 |
| Drive capacity | Two 3.5-inch HDD bays |
| Fan size | 120 mm |
| Printer used | Bambu Lab P1S |
| Material used | Sunlu PETG |
| Fasteners | M3 screws and M3 heat-set insert nuts |
| Fan connection | Re-terminated with a PicoBlade connector |
The Fan Wiring Needs Extra Attention
The most important technical caution in this project is the fan connection. The creator did not simply plug an untouched desktop PC fan into the board. The fan cable was re-terminated with a PicoBlade connector so it could interface with the ZimaBoard-side connection.
Do not assume connector shape alone proves electrical compatibility. Before powering the fan, confirm the pin order, voltage, ground, PWM, and tachometer positions against the hardware you are actually using. Re-pinning a connector incorrectly can damage a fan or the connected hardware.
The source describes the wiring in relation to the standard PWM fan configuration, but builders should verify their own connector and cable rather than copying wire colors by appearance.
Where This Build Fits in a ZimaBoard 2 NAS Setup
This enclosure is most useful for builders who already know they want a small two-drive NAS and prefer a finished desktop case over an open-frame layout. ZimaBoard 2 provides the compute and storage connectivity, while the printed enclosure handles physical organization, drive placement, and airflow.
Users planning a different storage arrangement can compare the hardware around the broader ZimaBoard 2 storage and expansion ecosystem. That is especially useful when deciding whether a custom printed enclosure, a separate HDD rack, additional SATA expansion, or another physical layout better fits the build.
Compatibility and Important Limitations
- The enclosure was designed for ZimaBoard 2. The source does not establish drop-in compatibility with earlier ZimaBoard models.
- The confirmed storage layout is two 3.5-inch HDDs. Other drive arrangements may require model changes or adapters.
- The confirmed fan mount is 120 mm. Other fan sizes are not documented in the source project.
- Bambu Lab P1S and Sunlu PETG are the creator’s tested combination. Other printers and materials may work, but the source does not verify them.
- Drive power is not specified as part of the enclosure design. Plan the electrical side of two 3.5-inch drives separately.
- The fan connector is modified. Verify the pinout before applying power.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hard drives does this ZimaBoard 2 case hold?
The original design provides two bays for 3.5-inch hard drives. The project is therefore aimed at a compact dual-drive NAS rather than a board-only protective enclosure.
What size fan does the case support?
The source build includes mounting for a 120 mm fan. The creator used active airflow as part of the enclosure design, but no controlled before-and-after thermal measurements are provided.
Can a normal PWM PC fan be connected without modification?
Do not assume that it can. In the published build, the creator re-terminated the fan cable with a PicoBlade connector for the ZimaBoard-side connection. Verify the actual electrical pinout before connecting a fan.
What material was used to print the enclosure?
Komorida printed the case in Sunlu PETG. That is the material confirmed by the source project; the listing does not establish performance results for PLA, ABS, ASA, or other materials.
What hardware is needed for assembly?
The documented assembly uses M3 screws and M3 heat-set insert nuts. These fasteners allow the case to be assembled and opened repeatedly without relying only on threads cut directly into printed plastic.
Do I need a Bambu Lab P1S to print it?
The creator used a Bambu Lab P1S, but the source does not state that the model is exclusive to that printer. Before using another printer, confirm the model dimensions, available build volume, print orientation, and the current print-profile requirements on the original listing.
Does the enclosure include everything needed to power two 3.5-inch HDDs?
The published description confirms two 3.5-inch HDD bays but does not document a complete two-drive power system. Treat drive power and cabling as separate hardware decisions when planning the NAS.
Original MakerWorld Project and Creator Credit
This page is an editorial breakdown of Komorida’s community-created NAS enclosure. The current model files, print profiles, creator updates, and licensing information remain on the original MakerWorld project. The source listing is marked BY-NC, and the 3D model files are not redistributed on this page.
The project was published by Komorida on July 10, 2026. Because print profiles and creator notes can change over time, the original listing should remain the source of truth for the current downloadable files and licensing terms.
