Hardware Misc Others Project 3D Printing DS cart shells?

[LunarPurin]

I'm really curious if it's possible to make a 3D printed DS shell. A family member of mine has a resin 3D printer, which I've heard are much more precise than filament and I was curious if anyone knew where I could find a model to print, or if it would even work.
I've seen some custom cart shells on Etsy that look to be either resin printed or possibly machined but they don't ship to the UK for any remotely reasonable price.

Any help is appreciated, and thank you for reading

 

[Apache Thunder]

I recognize the shells in those photos. I have a couple of them. They appear to be injection as they have signs of that on the inside portion of the shell halves. If only I could find where that seller was getting them because he's the only one I know selling them. Haven't found them anywhere else. The few alt sites that have him have the seller location same as the eBay listing so just the same seller.

 

[LunarPurin]

I recognize the shells in those photos. I have a couple of them. They appear to be injection as they have signs of that on the inside portion of the shell halves. If only I could find where that seller was getting them because he's the only one I know selling them. Haven't found them anywhere else. The few alt sites that have him have the seller location same as the eBay listing so just the same seller.

I mean, it's possible they make them themselves, but I'm also unsure.

I think something similar might be possible with resin printing but I also don't have a 3D Model to try it with. I might just have to get some of these at a markup honestly.

They all seem to have a the letters MMR scratched into them, and earlier sources of what look to be the same cart shells point to eBay and a company called Union Trading Company

Post automatically merged: Apr 30, 2024

Found another video by the same channel and actually found the original website, still online and appears to have actually been updated with a 2024 copyright. Though, it would appear this is a reshelling service rather than selling the shells.

Surprisingly, comments on the YouTube channel indicate the eBay listing only went down on December 9th 2023

 

[LunarPurin]

This person made her clear resin shell using pcbway.

That's interesting, but it looks like she may have herself used a resin 3D Printer, and it's not much of a lead here ^^;

Very intriguing though, was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to do the work myself though since I don't own a printer for test prints to go about it myself with ^^;

 

[TheStonedModder]

I'm really curious if it's possible to make a 3D printed DS shell. A family member of mine has a resin 3D printer, which I've heard are much more precise than filament and I was curious if anyone knew where I could find a model to print, or if it would even work.
I've seen some custom cart shells on Etsy that look to be either resin printed or possibly machined but they don't ship to the UK for any remotely reasonable price.

View attachment 434617

Any help is appreciated, and thank you for reading

I’ve done this with my creality k1 for both DS and switch cart shells it works great

You’d just have to model it yourself since I don’t believe there are any public STL files

That or I wasted a few days of time lmao

 

[Apache Thunder]

Oh you made a 3D print for a DS shell? You should consider releasing the STL files for that (assuming you made them in STL format that is). Would give others a head start on this.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Oh you made a 3D print for a DS shell? You should consider releasing the STL files for that (assuming you made them in STL format that is). Would give others a head start on this.

It’s not the prettiest but it works. It was to replace the shell to my dstwo

I wanna make it a bit neater before sharing it. It’s my first super tiny model so it’s kinda finicky ha

 

[BigOnYa]

It’s not the prettiest but it works. It was to replace the shell to my dstwo

I wanna make it a bit neater before sharing it. It’s my first super tiny model so it’s kinda finicky ha

Take your time, but I'd be interested also. Also maybe your print settings, and type of filament you used. Thanks!

 

[LunarPurin]

I’ve done this with my creality k1 for both DS and switch cart shells it works great

You’d just have to model it yourself since I don’t believe there are any public STL files

That or I wasted a few days of time lmao

Oh! That's interesting!
I'd love to see the model once you've refined it and feel comfortable sharing it

I had actually found one model that I was uncertain around whether it would work too well, since it has nowhere to attach to itself and seems to require gluing

https://www.printables.com/model/402102-nintendo-ds-replacement-cartridge

 

[TheStonedModder]

Oh! That's interesting!
I'd love to see the model once you've refined it and feel comfortable sharing it

I had actually found one model that I was uncertain around whether it would work too well, since it has nowhere to attach to itself and seems to require gluing

https://www.printables.com/model/402102-nintendo-ds-replacement-cartridge
View attachment 434929View attachment 434930

I tried printing that design no matter what you’re gonna need a super tiny nozzle(I use .2) or a resin printer to get the required resolution

That design there isn’t great tho imo you’re exactly right it has no way to attach together and needs to be glued ! But that’s not exactly the designers fault with a shell as tiny as this needs to be it took me a while to figure out a solution too

 

[LunarPurin]

I tried printing that design no matter what you’re gonna need a super tiny nozzle(I use .2) or a resin printer to get the required resolution

That design there isn’t great tho imo you’re exactly right it has no way to attach together and needs to be glued ! But that’s not exactly the designers fault with a shell as tiny as this needs to be it took me a while to figure out a solution too

I remember seeing a modified design of this with pins to push into the other side but wasn't able to find it. I could get it working since the printer I'll be able to use is a resin printer, but it's far from ideal and something better would be immensely helpful.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Take your time, but I'd be interested also. Also maybe your print settings, and type of filament you used. Thanks!

I’ve used PLA and PETG the type of filament really shouldn’t matter these systems don’t get even close to hot enough to cause concern

I’ve used PLA in a 80f degree oven and that even held up pretty well for close to an hour.

As for print settings those are dialed in for my modded K1 but I made a site to quickly calibrate and get speed out of your printer if you’d like to try it!

 

[DSoryu]

I'll wait for the expert on this to arrive and leave you his findings, but I can already tell you that this task is a nightmare, almost impossible to get right without mold injection.

3D prints are not suitable enough for DS cart sizes and form factors.

 

[TheStonedModder]

I'll wait for the expert on this to arrive and leave you his findings, but I can already tell you that this task is a nightmare, almost impossible to get right without mold injection.

3D prints are not suitable enough for DS cart sizes and form factors.

Sure they are I’ve done it lmao

Just get a smaller nozzle. If you’re tying to use a 0.4mm nozzle or larger you’re gonna have a bad time. It just doesn’t have the resolution

A 0.2mm works perfect

 

[LunarPurin]

I'll wait for the expert on this to arrive and leave you his findings, but I can already tell you that this task is a nightmare, almost impossible to get right without mold injection.

3D prints are not suitable enough for DS cart sizes and form factors.

I think it's possible to make something with similar outside looks potentially with an alternative locking mechanism but lack the skills, software or hardware to lab it fully.

Sure they are I’ve done it lmao

Just get a smaller nozzle. If you’re tying to use a 0.4mm nozzle or larger you’re gonna have a bad time. It just doesn’t have the resolution

A 0.2mm works perfect

That or just cheat and use a resin printer like I intend to with my Grandfather lol

 

[NathaanTFM]

Oh! That's interesting!
I'd love to see the model once you've refined it and feel comfortable sharing it

I had actually found one model that I was uncertain around whether it would work too well, since it has nowhere to attach to itself and seems to require gluing

https://www.printables.com/model/402102-nintendo-ds-replacement-cartridge

I have printed this model with various materials on JLCPCB. For what it's worth, the best material for it was "8228" (it was the most precise and fits a 3DS slot well). You can't print the cover though, so you'd have to make a new model.

 

[R3vi]

The original photos and screenshots are from company that outsourced their production to a 3rd party.

Resin 3D printing does work but because there are multiple thin parts the prints are prone to warping and breaking when curing.

I'm currently looking into injection molding my own as I've been trying to get new cases for years now and ran out of external solutions.

Edit: The originals were apparently made by a company called umdcase but when the original owner passed away and the son took over the models were lost. They still have them in stock on a new Ebay and Etsy store although the original listings are now gone and supply will eventually run out.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Resin printers do work but with how many thin details the cases have they don't print easily.

Also the ebay seller no longer delivers. They got them from a 3d party that seems to have shut down during the pandemic in 2020.

Post automatically merged: Aug 8, 2024

The original photos and screenshots are from company that outsourced their production to a 3rd party. In 2020 they suddenly stopped filling orders because the lockdowns and their eBay account was banned for it.

They will not fulfill orders on their independent website either. I've tried both and never was refunded.

They have since then set up an Esty and new Ebay profile but their reliability is questionable.

Resin 3D printing does work but because there are multiple thin parts the prints are prone to warping and breaking when curing.

I'm currently looking into injection molding my own as I've been trying to get new cases for years now and ran out of external solutions.

If you have an FDM printer I’ve had somewhat decent success using that as a pseudo injection mold machine for Nintendo switch cart shells

They have the same exact issue. They are so thin it’s almost impossible to print and cure properly with resin without major warping

I’m not having much better luck with normal FDM printing either. Since I’m still getting some warp when peeling off the bed. So maybe printing on glass is the solution ?

 

[R3vi]

If you have an FDM printer I’ve had somewhat decent success using that as a pseudo injection mold machine for Nintendo switch cart shells

They have the same exact issue. They are so thin it’s almost impossible to print and cure properly with resin without major warping

I’m not having much better luck with normal FDM printing either. Since I’m still getting some warp when peeling off the bed. So maybe printing on glass is the solution ?

An FDM printer doesn't have the pressure to properly injection mold stuff sadly. Did you use a resin 3D printed mold? If so what type of resin?

I've tried glass beds. Flat and textured build plates still has the same issue.

I want to try ABS with a 0.2mm nozzle using an ABS slurry on the bed but I don't have an enclosure.

 

[TheStonedModder]

An FDM printer doesn't have the pressure to properly injection mold stuff sadly. Did you use a resin 3D printed mold? If so what type of resin?

I've tried glass beds. Flat and textured build plates still has the same issue.

I want to try ABS with a 0.2mm nozzle using an ABS slurry on the bed but I don't have an enclosure.

If you use a high flow rate nozzle and a small enough mould there’s enough pressure. CNC kitchen did a video on it not long ago

That being said I’ve been having more luck on a glass bed with a 0.2mm nozzle provided I can be patient enough for wait for the bed to cool and the print to naturally release

Been using PETG and ASA since that is what I have on hand