Frametendo Switch (A Nintendo Switch inspired handheld for a Frameworks mainboard)

This is my entry for the Framework 12 mainboard reuse challenge. The whole idea of this project came from the thought of when reusing your old laptop board, you may want to make it into a gaming console/handheld but you don't want to spend a lot of money on parts. I thought that using the Nintendo switch controllers would be perfect for this as many people have them laying around from their Nintendo Switch's. This is my first major 3d modeling project, I put a lot of time into it, I do not currently own the parts that you need for this build including the mainboard, screen, and cables but hopefully if I place in the competition, I will be able to build it and refine the design, I have a lot of ideas for the future of this project which I will list later.

Parts list:

I have tried to use the least amount of extra parts possible. Also I have optimized the print by splitting it up into 3 parts for better printing and less supports. I will provide a link for each of the items that you need to buy except for the screws and battery bank. 

3d printed parts:

1. One front plate

2. One back plate

3. One Button Rod

Extra needed parts:

1. One, USB battery hub with a USB c cable (it can be any size but it has to have at least a 60 watt output, however 100 watts is recommended for heavy gaming).

2. 7 inch touch display (Make sure to get the IPS Touch version)

3. Eight m3 x 8 screws 

4. Four screws for the framework 12 mainboard

5. USB C Splitter

6. USB C to HDMI adapter

7. Ribbon cable hdmi to hdmi cord (preferably the smallest length possible so it can fit in the case)

8. Ribbon cable USB C to Mini USB ( also the smallest length as it has to fit in the case)

Supplies:

1. Super glue (To connect to button rod to the faceplate)

2. An adhesive such as double sided tape (To stick the battery bank to the back of the console if it is small enough)

3. Sand paper as the tolerance between the faceplate and back plate is tight so you may have to sand it)

As of right now, I have this project priced anywhere between 50$-80$ depending on where you buy the supplies and also what kind of battery bank you get. I’d recommend getting all of the parts from ali express except for the battery bank. If there is any trouble with the links, let me know.

Print:

I recommend printing this model in ABA or PETG as they are less likely to warp from the heat of the main board. To use the least amount of filament on supports, position the face plate and back plate facing up with their underside touching the bed.

Directions:

1. First, you will have to super glue the button dowel to the bottom of the print in place button on the bottom left corner of the Face plate. (It uses a lot less filament from supports to print them separately and then glue them together).

2. Second, you place the motherboard into the Base plate and screw it in with the motherboard screws, It should be upside down in the case

3. Third you should attach the USB to HDMI adapter to the bottom USB port on the motherboard and the USB c splitter to the top port.

4. You should wire the cable from the battery bank through the hole on the backplate and connect the USB mini and HDMI cables to the screen. ( If your power bank is small enough, this would be the time to attach it to the back of the console with adhesive)

5. After connecting the wires to the screen you can screw it into the four standoffs with four of the m3 screws.

6. Place the faceplate on top of everything and screw it in with the four remaining m3 screws. (if it doesn't fit you may have to sand the sides where the two plates touch.

7. To attach the Joycon rails, you first have to unscrew them from the wrist straps, there is three Phillips head screws holding each one in place, be carful to not lost the plastic square and spring that are loose underneath, I put the springs, plastic squares and both of the plastic wrist straps into a bag so that I don't lose any part.

8. Lastly use the screws that you just removed from the wrist strap to secure the metal rails onto the side of the faceplate.

Design Features:

• Intake and exhaust vents so that the mainboard doesn't overheat

• A printed button in the bottom left hand side of the Switch that presses the button integrated on the mainboard 

• You are able to choose the size of the battery you want as it can use many different kinds of power banks

• You use the actual Joycon rails from the wrist strap for a perfect fit.

• You can access the two USB C ports that are not in use on the side of the console. You can use these ports if you want to connect a keyboard or mouse and use it as a computer or for any other uses of the USB c ports.

• The 7 inch display I used to model is produced by many different people on both amazon and Ali express under different companies

Future of this Project:

If I do end up winning (fingers crossed), I plan to continue refining the design and adding features. The two first improvements I would make would be to add a grip to the back of the console to make it more ergonomic add a button that routes to the top and I will also want to make a version that has the battery inside of the case with the mainboard.

DISCLAIMER:

I haven't tested the print with the parts yet as I don't own any of them except the joy cons I used the official frameworks mainboard 3D model and the measurements of the screen from its listing to design this model. 

I'd appreciate any support, feel free to comment any questions on this post