Mass Effect Personal Terminal by Silesti

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

V2 files should be used.
The Source for this was a single model which I just couldn't print. It was also lacking some of the details I wanted and my goal is to add a sheet of engraved acrylic and some EL wire to make the screen glow. Hence I took it to pieces and started work.
All of the pieces currently butt together, I'll look to add some keys in future iterations to make matching the pieces easier.
The slot for the perspex is 3.5mm deep, this is to allow space or the EL wire to be routed and to slide the perspex into place.
The right-hand 'pod' has a space in the bottom for the inverter needed to drive the EL wire. The one I've pictured is for a 12vDC supply but the 5v one (for USB power) is the same dimensions. There is a hole through the pod and the base of the right hand screen section to run the wire for the EL.
For assembly work from left to right I think, prep work would include cutting your EL wire to length and ensuring it fits via a dry run.
UPDATE 1 - created additional centre pod option with void suitable for Raspberry Pi installation. Back is not open for cable access and there's a slot in the side for Micro SD card. Obviously if you want to use that slot you'll not be able to glue the Left pod to the centre... Print planned and will add photo(s) when done.
UPDATE 2 - After a draft print (photos shown) I've altered the design a little to both increase robustness and remove some elements which added complication with no real benefit (fillets on the edges etc). The right pod now has a larger space for the EL inverter / other electronics to live and a repair was necessary to one of the elements on the centre pod(s) which seemed to be floating for some reason.
In the photos you may be able to see the blue EL wire I've installed, this will illuminate the perspex sheet I'm going to engrave. I've also changed the screen elements and separated the top to allow for ease of screen installation or even swap.
You'll also see from the test print that the screen-left element shows some surface texture as it was printed on it's back and the unit is wedge shaped. I'd suggest print this piece alone on it's front to get the best surface finish unless you intend to fill and finish afterwards.
Any / all comments welcome!