The idea has been around some time on the ComputerBase.de forum... so today we (the crew from the German community blog "Mecha-Blog.de" on mechanical keyboards) started an interest check: https://www.mecha-blog.de/interest-check-aluoberseite/
It is about aluminum top cases for the CoolerMaster Novatouch and Rapid-i.
We already found a potential manufacturer in Germany with appropriate CNC equipment. An original Novatouch top case has already been laser scanned and the CAD is being worked on. More information can be found on the blog page.
So, who would be interested?So here is our plan: instead of the plastic top case we want to create one from aluminum, which would be compatible with the Novatouch and the Rapid-i.
On both keyboards that new case would mean all-aluminum clad top, front, left and right side plus a large section on the back. The bottom would stay as it is.
The original part has already been laser-scanned, the CAD is in the works and a potential manufacturer with the proper CNC equipment in Germany has been found.
It won't be really cheap as quality is never cheap. However, we anticipate it to be less expensive than other case group buys, as only a top case is made instead of two parts. Worldwide shipping is actually possible per se, but as you certainly know that can get a little expensive itself.
Feel free to ask away. You are very welcome to comment on the Mecha-Blog.de site