Homelab Server Rack CAD Generator

Python + CadQuery workflow for generating homelab rack CAD models and assemblies.

This project is built for iterative rack planning:

• rack frame modeling
• U-position layout
• shelf and device placement
• clearance/collision adjustments
• CAD exports for AutoCAD/Fusion workflows

Interactive 3D viewer (GitHub Pages)

This repo includes a browser-based 3D viewer using <model-viewer>.

• Viewer page source: docs/index.html
• Web models:
  • docs/vevor_20u_loaded.glb (loaded rack + devices)
  • docs/vevor_20u_rack.glb (frame only)
• Conversion script: tools/convert_step_to_glb.py

Convert STEP -> GLB

python tools/convert_step_to_glb.py

This converts:

• models/vevor_20u_rack.step -> docs/vevor_20u_rack.glb
• models/vevor_20u_loaded.step -> docs/vevor_20u_loaded.glb

The viewer defaults to the loaded rack model and includes a button to switch to frame-only view.

Publish on GitHub Pages

1. Open repo Settings -> Pages.
2. Under Build and deployment, set Source to Deploy from a branch.
3. Select branch main and folder /docs.
4. Save, then wait for publish.

Expected viewer URL:

• https://mxioi.github.io/Homelab-Server-Rack-CAD-Generator/

Included rack model assets

• models/vevor_20u_rack.step (full rack STEP model)
• models/vevor_20u_loaded.step (rack with modeled contents)
• models/vevor_20u_rack.stl (3D-viewable mesh model)

GitHub note:

• Click models/vevor_20u_rack.stl in the repo to open GitHub's interactive 3D viewer.

Generated outputs

Running the generator writes STEP/STL outputs to exports/.

Common files:

• exports/vevor_20u_rack.step
• exports/vevor_20u_loaded.step
• exports/vevor_20u_rack_template.step

Setup

Recommended Python: 3.11 (project script creates an isolated .venv311).

./setup_and_generate.ps1

Manual alternative:

py -3.11 -m venv .venv311
.\.venv311\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
pip install -r requirements.txt
python generate_models.py

CAD workflow

1. Generate exports with python generate_models.py.
2. Import STEP files from exports/ into AutoCAD/Fusion.
3. Adjust dimensions/placements in generate_models.py.
4. Regenerate and re-import for fit validation.

Repository scope

This repo intentionally keeps source-focused files:

• generate_models.py
• requirements.txt
• setup_and_generate.ps1
• README.md
• models/vevor_20u_rack.step and models/vevor_20u_rack.stl

Local/generated data (exports/, virtualenvs, caches) is excluded from version control.