Case for the VIM3 and M2X

I won’t win any awards for this box case design. But it is practical, and can be printed on an FDM 3D Printer (the cheapest there is). The question about how to secure the VIM3 into the casing? Use some duct tape, or hot glue - no additional fasteners needed.

Remember to print with support material!

Download: .stp, .stl

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Thanks! It’s amazing. I’ll post a picture when I print out. :smiley:

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This is looking amazing. I’d love to get one if you plan to sell it and patch the lcd driver for mainline :stuck_out_tongue:

Thanks for such an amazing work.

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@Sean_Yi Okay! Let me know if there’s any bugs! (There could only be 1 or 2, related to thin walls, I can fix the model if your 3D printer can’t do it)

@Spikerguy thank you!

By the way, if you have access to more advanced 3d printers like an SLA type machine, the casing could be made more similar to commercial types (more delicate features like ventilation grills, and plastic hooks or snaps, hinges). You can find these on imaterialise or shapeways - but of course more expensive.

My goal with this design was to make something printable at home, with a home FDM printer.

This design is Lit :fire::fire::fire:,
too bad I don’t have a 3d printer ant my home nor are there any services nearby to help me,
all have is this, tons of it,

i am however experimenting with many other Eco-friendly options :smile:

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Updated the 3D model again @Sean_Yi, fixed some bugs.

Changelog:

  • Added cut-out for SD card
  • Added cut-out for VIN connector
  • Added fan grill
  • Lengthened IR cutout for LED lights

Download: .stp or .stl

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When I was R/C aircraft modeling, I made an entire fuselage out of cardboard treated with thinned spar urethane. It was a large airplane with a ~1.8m wing. The urethane made it fuel proof, stiffer and to some degree stronger. I assume it may have a desirable effect in this situation too. Cut lines after treatment can be very fine. I accept that spar urethane may break the “eco-friendly” part. :grin:
Heck before I was 25, much of my world was made from repurposed cardboard and wire coat hangers. :laughing:

You may also want to look in to foamboard and Coroplast in your area, both are suitable for making small enclosures. However, foamboard is an insulator of heat, and that’s not good.

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Hmm will try that out as well, :smile:
I am aiming for some kind of Ecofriendly composite material made of shredded cardboard and boiled rice as the intermediate binder, fortunately this stuff is super strong, flame retardant and has very good weight to strength ratio, I want to use this material as the casing for my vim 3 and even looks cool.

my only problem is getting a blender to shred the cardboard ,I am looking for a way to steal one out of my mum’s kitchen :laughing:

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You’re just asking for trouble there fella. :laughing:

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Paper is a wonderful material! :smile:

I had so much fun as a child, challenging myself to see what I could make with some simple sheets of paper.

@Electr1 challenge yourself, it is fun! Sometimes having all the high-tech stuff is boring, since it is too easy to make something out of standard materials.

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I sure will @tsangyoujun :smiley:

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Hello tsangyoujun! Can you provide printer files for this wonderful box? I want to print for testing :laughing:

Oh, I found them! Thank!

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Yeap! Be sure to let us know if there’s any bugs! I don’t have a 3D printer in the office, but I used to be a hobbyist back in the day.

Oh those ABS fumes. :smile:

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I don’t have a 3D printer but I believe you need a heated print bed to have a nice finish or else it’s warp city :grin:

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Oh yes indeed. Especially these wide rectangular forms. These days, 3D printers come with heated enclosures (chambers).

ABS generally flows better and is less prone to warp than PLA, if you use a thick / wide “support raft” to diffuse the heat from the print bed. Ironically, printing directly on the heat bed may not produce better results. It’s a combination of the raft + heat bed.

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Also if you use ABS you can make your print look a little professional if you wipe it down with lots of acetone.

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Gives it a nice injection mold like appearance

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Yeah, I thought I would ask too, what is that for ?

It is for sticking a pencil into the case to prop up the screen at an angle.

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