Hardware 3D print your own New 3DS Cover Plates!

[EnterpriseFreak]

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3D print your own New 3DS Cover Plates!​

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Hey there! Over the last few days I've worked on somewhat decently recreating the New 3DS Cover Plates in a CAD program, allowing us to use 3D printing to make new ones. I am now at the point where I am happy enough with my recreations to share models with everyone. Down below you can find the settings and parts I found to be suitable to properly print the plates.

Spoiler: Recommended Settings and Materials / Parts

- Materials and Nozzle -
Material: PLA*, PETG, ABS**, PC-ABS**
Nozzle: 0.40mm

- Layer settings -
Layer height: 0.10mm
First layer height: 0.10mm
Precise Z height: enabled

- Wall settings -
Wall generator: Arachne
Wall loops: 3
Wall Printing Order: Inner / Outer / Inner

- Support settings -
Supports: enabled
Support type: Tree (automatic)
Style: Organic

*: I had success with BambuLab PLA Basic and Sunlu PLA Matte as these were somewhat flexible. Some PLA blends such as PLA+, etc. might be too stiff and could be at risk of breaking.
**: Make sure that you have calibrated the filament properly to compensate for the shrinkage that occurs after cooling of the model.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find fitting screws for the plate of the bottom screen so you'll have to somehow remove the ones from an original plate and use those if you plan on using a 3D printed touchscreen plate. If anyone here knows screw that will fit please let us know.

I hope you enjoy and please do share pictures of plate you've made!

 

[Stormii_XP]

will you ever think abt making ones for other 3ds/2ds models? i have an o2ds and the exact design i have created in my mind has not been created by anyone yet.

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

will you ever think abt making ones for other 3ds/2ds models? i have an o2ds and the exact design i have created in my mind has not been created by anyone yet.

Probably not since the new 3DS was the only system in the entire 3DS/2DS lineup that had user swapable cover plates.

Creating parts of the shell of other systems of the 3DS family in CAD would be a pretty complex task which would take a lot of time to complete. Theoretically speaking someone with a decent 3D scanner (don't ask me though, these things are like super expensive) could go out of their way to create scans of the required parts and then upload them. Then we could simply print them.

 

[Stormii_XP]

ah, that makes sense. i really want a new 3ds/2ds, but alas, i am confined to the 2ds i got when i was 7. i'll be on the lookout for someone with a good scanner tho!

 

[anotherthing]

Probably not since the new 3DS was the only system in the entire 3DS/2DS lineup that had user swapable cover plates.

The New 3DS XL kind of has this with the bottom of the shell since it uses a similar screw on plate to access the battery and SD card as the New 3DS.