Framework Novel

Context

This was made, from scratch, specifically for the September 2026 Framework competition on Printables. Zero AI was used. All ideas, text, and mistakes, are my own. Happy to upload the STEP/F3D file and make the license more permissible after the contest ends.

I wanted to print this out and put it on my actual bookshelf for a nice photo; but I have neither the filament or printer to do that at the moment as both of my Bambulab bed slingers are on the fritz.

The dimensions of the mainboard are very, very close to that of a typical paperback book. But a paperback book would look quite boring, so I designed a hardback book instead. The idea is that when the computer is not in use that it would be able to sit on a bookcase shelf mostly unnoticed. When in use, it would lay flat on a desk. 

After looking through several interesting contest entries, I noticed that not a lot of them seemed to actually address ALL of the design rules given. My own design intentions:

• Proper fan exhaust port inline with existing mainboard exhaust and some slots for air intake

• Mechanical print-in-place button to turn the board on/off

• Four USB-C expansion card slots

• Fasteners aesthetically incorporated into the design itself

• Designed to be printed on a 256x256 printer

• Can be printed with minimal supports, but I recommend supports for the spine (shown in model photos). If you have a corexy you may want to print the spine vertically with brims and no supports instead

• Overall print time of about 7 hours with no AMS required

Assembly Notes

Additional needs:

• 8 x M3 self tapping screws (length is pretty flexible, anything between 10mm and 20mm should be fine)

• 5 x M2 heat inserts

• Glue/adhesive for the power button

Use the 3mf file to see what to print and how to lay them out on the print bed. Otherwise, print 1 of each STL fil.

The "interior" of the book is a single piece which the mainboard can be mounted into; BookInternal. This requires 4 or 5 M2 heat insert threads, and then the existing M2 captive screws in the board can be screwed into the thread inserts.

With BookInternal laying flat, put CoverFront on top, CoverBack on the bottom, and then take CoverSpine and slide it over the long flat side of BookInternal. At this point, if correctly assembled, you should see little holes in each coroner of the assembled unit. Holes that run through the spine, cover top, internal and cover bottom. You can take 4 self-tapping M3 screws (2 for the front and 2 for the back) and screw them through the pilot holes in the spine. Take another 4 self-tapping M3 screws and do the same for the holes on the non-spine cover; except this time optionally put the little cornice pieces down first before screwing into them.

At this point you just need to take the power button and place it into the little round hole towards the bottom of the top cover. You may want to use a tiny dab of superglue to hold it in place, but I would advise you checking to make sure its installed and works first (it won't need glued down for this part).

Please see the exploded view of the construction in the model images if anything is unclear, or feel free to leave a comment and ask.