Framework 13 active cooling case

A design exercise for the Framework 13 motherboard case with additional cooling. The cooling fan is Noctua NF-A9x14 controlled by NA-FC1. NA-FC1 can be powered by a USB C voltage trigger board (12 V). The expansion card is not fully modeled since I don't have the components.

Background of this design:

The laptop board tends to get very hot, and I've learned it the hard way with Intel Skull Canyon NUC (aka the screaming banshee). The additional cooling fan might help reduce the noise. Since I do not own the Framework motherboard, I can't say if it works. Please continue from the .step file for further development/improvement.

If anybody is interested in sacrificing their Framework motherboard, I would remove the Coolermaster fan attached to the cooling assembly if the fan is very loud and use the 5V version of the A9 fan (Noctua NF-A9 5V PMW) directly connected to the motherboard (require JST SH 4pin → Molex 2510 4 pin adaptor). This way, one does not need the pricy Noctua NA-FC1. Be aware that the cooing might be insufficient; the air must be forced into the heat sink.

Have fun tinkering:)

Additional components:

Noctua NF-A9x14 PMW (https://noctua.at/en/nf-a9x14-pwm)

Noctua NA-FC1 (https://noctua.at/en/na-fc1)

M2x10 screw (2pcs.) for the extension card

USB C trigger board example (https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Trigger-Module-Type-C-Default/dp/B0BGJ3B5SG/ref=sr_1_178?crid=1UZUYUK7P2IF1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.95C_wVjV3V3FY0WxVFMv_0XTj4OHUxMqTJDI8FYXqjRaN6QSMy6DEd_2HDobWHNnFjFuFPE_lRDvQmbz0fnte2a-6cbEU8zSgxXbihnlObJV9W5Yr8Fh2C7jaKVsD5i0BzjSrxVz6maSwfQ9ISkifULS1f9UPHLEnvjo56iqK7NmHYX3ocKh_r_4qZULdCOZxV5mVvHS3GypG2mwMjmkpSC3fILRK4YXX02WidQqg_0.LWV4a9VvzW4lU4DJZXNTm3bDPDzE3e0wiBXSYnd2qhg&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Bc%2B12%2BV&qid=1730233478&sprefix=usb%2Bc%2B12%2Bv%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-178&th=1)

Active fan cooling and an expansion card mock-up for power by USB C voltage trigger board.