Charging dock for Nintendo New 3DS

prusaprinters

<p>A fully functional charging dock for the New 3DS! It also comes with swappable plates that you can print in multiple colors. Best of all, this works with most printers, because you simply have to change filament at certain heights.</p> <p>I took extra care and designed it in such a way that you don't need any special tools or components, just a bit of wire and spring from an old pen. Everything is also printable 100% without any supports.</p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/3dQFI1BClfM">I've also made a build video if you're interested in the design process and how it works.</a>.</p> <p>Beside the STL files, I'm including the full Fusion360 project file as well.</p> <p><strong>Looking for the XL version?</strong><br/> I don't own the XL version, but I'd love to include it as well. If you have one and are willing to take measurements, please get in touch and I'll design the XL dock as well.</p> <p><strong>Adjusting the pin contacts</strong><br/> When you're adjusting the contacts on top of the charger, try to shape it in such a way to create a V shape. It can be a bit tricky and you'll probably have to try it a few times before it makes a good contact. Don't despair!</p> <p><strong>Adjusting the spring</strong><br/> The stiffness of the spring is very important. If the spring is too strong, it will tilt the 3DS and lose contact. If it's not strong enough, it won't push against the charging contacts. You will have to tinker with the spring until you get a good fit. I did it by cutting away one loop at a time, putting the spring back in and trying if it works. Keep doing it until you get a reliable contact.</p> <p><strong>Multi-color printing</strong><br/> For printing in multiple colors, you need to slice the model and save it as normal gcode. Then, you have to insert the M600 command. You can do this manually by opening the gcode, but the easiest way is to use the ColorPrint tool by Prusa. You simply upload the file, set height changes and save the new gcode. <a href="https://www.prusaprinters.org/color-print">Here's the tool.</a> Newer versions of PrusaSlicer have this tool built-in already!</p> <p>If you're interested on how to design things for multi-color printing, <a href="https://youtu.be/KsbE2vEzS7U">you can watch my video that explains everything.</a></p> <p>I'm also including a blank plate so that you can design your own. Import it into CAD of your choice (I recommend Tinkercad or Fusion360). The first layer is 2mm thick, every subsequent layer should be 0.8mm.</p> <p>Here's a list of heights and colors for each particular plate:</p> <p><strong>Question block</strong><br/> Start with BLACK, then<br/> at z2.2 change to YELLOW,<br/> at z3.0 change to WHITE.</p> <p><strong>Mario hat</strong><br/> Start with RED, then<br/> at z2.2 change to WHITE,<br/> at z3.0 change to RED.</p> <p><strong>Brick</strong><br/> Start with BLACK, then<br/> at z2.2 change to BROWN.</p> <p><strong>Bullet Bill</strong><br/> Start with WHITE, then<br/> at z2.2 change to BLACK,<br/> at z3.0 change to WHITE.</p> <p><strong>Yoshi</strong><br/> Start with ORANGE, then<br/> at z2.2 change to RED,<br/> at z3.0 change to WHITE,<br/> at z3.8 change to GREEN,<br/> at z4.6 change to BLACK.</p> <p><strong>Mushroom</strong><br/> Start with BEIGE/SKIN, then<br/> at z2.2 change to WHITE,<br/> at z3.0 change to BLACK,<br/> at z3.8 change to RED,<br/> at z4.6 change to WHITE.</p> <h3>Print instructions</h3><p>Print everything <strong>except</strong> the charger at 0.2mm layer height.</p> <p>Print the charger at the best setting you can. The charger is the most difficult print, because the holes are quite small. I suggest you try this first.</p> <p>You do not need supports for any of the parts. The interior of the dock has built-in slope to support the overhang.</p>