I was playing around with carbon fiber 3D printed cases in addition to the link cable work. The Onyx prints didn’t come out so well but the SLS HP PA12 prints are not bad. Still too expensive though at $24 per case.
The SLS prints also seem to mark up easily as well. Seems like the cart dust cover model here on PlanetVB may be too tight in dimensions. The SLS dust cover won’t go on the VB connector without pushing pretty hard. The cases are a bit tight as well. The plain case less so than the fully detailed one.
The plain covers print better than the fully detailed one with Nintendo writing on the back. The current models have the text too shallow for 3D prints. Virtual Boy shows up on the back using a 75um SLS print and an 100um FDM Onyx print but the smaller text at the bottom doesn’t show well with SLS and not at all with FDM Onyx.
I think the 3D models also have the screw depths too short or the screw on the back cover too deep as when you tighten the screws down they want to push through the front covers. You can see it in the pics of both the FDM Onyx and the SLS HP PA12 prints.
I’d like to try an SLA Formlabs Tough Resin print as well but they’re even more expensive than SLS. Seems like at this point donor carts are still the best option.
Look what we have here. Full Formlabs2 printer, wash kit, and cure system. 🙂
Attachments:
First Durable resin prints. There are some artifacts due to me not washing it well enough. The big deal here is they can be dyed. Red dye is on its way. The material is a bit flexible but could be used for cases. Material cost comes out to $7 per case.
First dyed red batch going in for final cure. Semi-transparent dark red.
