this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2023
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The other ones:

And today evening I will print a case for my recently upgraded trusty old iPod:

Update:

After a few changes the second prototype came out great, files also available for free now on my printables:

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I printed most of them laying on the back to get this nice PEI printbed finish. The only one I printed upside down is the LEGO one, because I was afraid the back would look ugly if supports where on it. Of course you could print all of them facing the back up, so the „ugly“ supported sides are inside. You obviously will need more filament that way because of the supports, but it should work just fine.

BUT…

I highly recommend printing these in TPU, not PLA. I don’t know if you will even be able to get your phone in these, as they get a bit around the phone and PLA is not really flexible. And even if you get it in, it will possibly brake fast and not protect your phone they way it should.

Edit:

Here is how it looks after slicing. The brighter parts are supports.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh of course I'd print them in TPU. I was just saying that because I have no experience with printing it and if the ugly side is as ugly with TPU. That's my only concern with printing a phone case. I'm pretty new to 3d printing so I only just learned some the limitations and the ugly side of things lol.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ah okay, then I got you wrong. I edited my last comment with a picture that shows the supports, so you get an idea where the „ugly“ parts would occur. I made good experiences with gas lighters (not normal ones, the ones which flames look a bit like a blowtorch). With these you can carefully warm the TPU and try to make the ugly parts a little more beautiful. You can as well use a clean soldering iron to iron the ugly parts a bit more flat.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I see that. Doesn't look too bad. Appreciate the picture. I'll have to do some experimenting trying what you've suggested.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Feel free to ask if you need further help ;)