two part esthetic case for Fiio Snowsky Echo Mini mp3 player

Intro

I wanted a cool looking case for my new retro-inspired mp3 player, a Fiio / Snowsky Echo Mini, so I made one. Then I got a little carried away and made a few more variants, including a blank one for other people to mod.

Print Settings & quickstart

If you want the one in the photos, it was printed on a Prusa MK3S with a 0.4 mm Revo nozzle in PETG at a layer height of 0.1 mm. The models for these are in the folder “ slot_grid_cases ”, “ left_case_slot s” and “ right_case_slots ” and the labels are the non blank ones under “ labels ". The only spot that needs support is the lower left corner of the screen.

Multimaterial labels

I didn't use any kind of multimaterial setup for the labels. Instead, I used the method described by @JoanTabb in this forum thread: you create a copy of the printer profile in Prusaslicer that has multiple extruders, and then use M600 as the gcode for switching extruders. You will probably want to verify manually that the sections of the gcode are what you expected them to be. I've also found that a single 0.2 mm layer of the black is enough to completely mask off the lighter yellow under it, this is probably something you should experiment with.

Modding, variants and attribution

I'd like for people who like this model to be encouraged to make it their own. I've created two extra variants of the main case: one with a hexagon pattern instead of pill-shaped slots, because I'm not immune to memes, and a blank one that can also be used as a template for creating other designs.

In addition, every variant also has versions that lack either the indent for the QR code on the back, the side label, or both. Finally, I've included two versions of the reference model I made of the mp3 player itself: a normal one and one where the active portion of the screen is raised by 0.1 mm, so that it's easier to work around.

I've added a blank version of the side labels so you can easily make your own. I didn't do that for the QR code on the back, but you can use the existing one as a reference. It's a 35 mm square that's 0.8 mm thick and the chamfer is 45 degrees. You'll probably want to make it about 0.1 mm smaller in each dimension to make sure it sits flush.

The included QR code contains a link to my Printables profile. While I think it would be very cool if you add that to your Make of this, you shouldn't feel obliged to do so. If you make your own version of the case and upload it though, I would like you to include proper attribution online. I'm also just curious as to what you come up with!

Addendum: about making a QR code

There are probably other ways to do it, but here's how I did it:

- Found a QR generating website that lets you export the code as an SVG file; - Insert the file into Autodesk Fusion; - This doesn't add the colors, so add these in as separate 0.2 mm extrusions; - (you can use materials to assign different colors) - Group dark and light extruded sections into separate object folders in the project; - Export those folders as 3mf files using the 3D Print option - import these into Prusaslicer, allign them, and use the multi extruder trick mentioned above. Remember to check that the correct side is visible (facing down) on the printer.