ThinkLab - 6 Bay Home Lab - M920q

More details will follow, PCB files and BOM as well!!

ThinkLab Homelab Enclosure System

A compact, modular homelab enclosure for the Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q.  
This 3D-printed case integrates a custom USB-C Power Delivery board that powers the entire system from a single cable — delivering 20 V to the M920q, 12 V to HDDs/SSDs and fans, and 5 V for peripherals. With rear-mounted keystones for USB-C power and Ethernet, plus drive expansion and active cooling, the M920q becomes a complete, silent homelab node.

Features

• Single-cable power & network
• Custom USB-C PD board distributes 20 V (M920q), 12 V (HDD/SSD + fans), and 5 V.
• Rear USB-C Keystone → powers the entire system.
• Rear Ethernet Keystone → clean back-panel network connection.
• Drive expansion: PCIe riser + 6-port SATA card + Dell HDD/SSD caddies.
• Cooling: dual 80 mm fans, Dallas-based PWM control.
• 3D-printed enclosure with heat-set inserts for sturdy, serviceable assembly.
• Compact & silent: optimized airflow, vibration-damping rubber feet.
• Optional add-on: ESP32 + E-Ink display with TPP223 touch button for interactive system monitoring (page cycling, debug view, etc.).

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Core system

• Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q
• PCI-E 16X  Graphic Card Adapter (M920q)
• PCI-E 6-port SATA card
• 4× Dell DXD9H drive caddies
• 2× Dell X7K8W drive caddies

Power & Cooling

• Custom USB-C Power Delivery board (20 V / 12 V / 5 V outputs)
• 1× USB-C Keystone (rear, power input)
• 2× 80 mm fans
• 6× SATA power cables with 4-pin XH connectors
• 6× SATA 22-pin (7+15) male→female inline adapters
• Dallas OneWire temperature sensor (required for fan control)

Networking

• 1× Ethernet Keystone (rear, network connection)
• 3D-printed enclosure & hardware
• Custom enclosure (STL files included)
• 15× M3 heat-set inserts
• 15× M3×8 mm countersunk screws
• 4× self-adhesive rubber feet

Optional monitoring module

• WeAct 1.54″ E-Ink display (ESP32-C3 “ThinkLab-ESP” client)
• TPP223 capacitive touch button (page interaction)
• ESP32 monitoring PCB

USB-C Power Delivery PCB + SATA power distribution PCB

• USB C PD Board 20V 
• 12V Buck Converter  Mini560

• 5V Buck Converter    Mini560

   

Software (for optional ESP32 + E-Ink monitor)

• ThinkLab-ESP → firmware for the ESP32; drives the E-Ink display, handles TPP223 touch input, and controls the fans using the Dallas sensor: https://github.com/Boisti13/ThinkLab-ESP  
• ThinkLab-Host → host-side service for Proxmox/Debian; required if you want the ESP32 to display CPU, RAM, VM, and disk stats from the host: https://github.com/Boisti13/ThinkLab-Host

3D Printing Notes

• 0.6 mm nozzle recommended (stronger walls, faster prints). Works with 0.4 mm as well.
• Best materials: PLA HT or PETG.  
• ASA is possible but more difficult due to warping.
• Rear panel supports USB-C + Ethernet keystone modules.
• Heat-set inserts for reliable repeat assembly.
• Airflow optimized for dual 80 mm fans and HDD cooling.

This build transforms the Lenovo M920q into a true all-in-one homelab system: expandable storage, active cooling, and powered entirely through a single USB-C cable. Add the ESP32 + E-Ink module for an interactive monitoring dashboard with touch control and smart fan management.