Question Questions for planning my first portable

[JBmodz]

I am Just beginning to plan my first project and have some questions about custom pcb design, case design and other general questions I have as a beginner

1. Are custom pcbs necessary and what is the best pcb design software for a beginner? My current top picks would be kicad or eagle.

2. How should I get started learning how to develop a case model and what software do you guys use/recommend?

3. What 3d printer would be good enough for making cases like an ashida while still being affordable

I am new to this so please feel free to leave any tips or info that you think would help me on my first project

I apologize if these questions were answered in other threads these are just the questions that I still have after researching.

 

[Tmanso]

Hi - I am sort of in the same boat here. I made an Ashida about 2 years ago, and I have been thinking about creating my own custom portable this coming summer. Did you ever get any answers on these? I have experience in mechanical, electrical, computer engineering but at the same time I do feel a little lost on how to even start with this.

 

[JBmodz]

Hi - I am sort of in the same boat here. I made an Ashida about 2 years ago, and I have been thinking about creating my own custom portable this coming summer. Did you ever get any answers on these? I have experience in mechanical, electrical, computer engineering but at the same time I do feel a little lost on how to even start with this.

I actually decided to build an ashida instead of my own custom design. The 4layer tech pcb suite is a great base for projects. I ended up getting an elegoo neptune 3 pro printer, which cost about as much as a pcb way case does and got the print done pretty well. I think kicad should work fine, unless you have a preference. The bitbuilt discord is also a great place to ask questions, its helped me a ton.

 

[kolenot]

I am Just beginning to plan my first project and have some questions about custom pcb design, case design and other general questions I have as a beginner

1. Are custom pcbs necessary and what is the best pcb design software for a beginner? My current top picks would be kicad or eagle.

2. How should I get started learning how to develop a case model and what software do you guys use/recommend?

3. What 3d printer would be good enough for making cases like an ashida while still being affordable

I am new to this so please feel free to leave any tips or info that you think would help me on my first project

I apologize if these questions were answered in other threads these are just the questions that I still have after researching.

1. I believe it's required for several things like audio, built in screen, power, controller inputs, etc. You get most functionality from the wii itself. But none are ready to go immediately to the in/outputs. Easiest way is to reuse the ashida pcb's and maybe design the controller and audio pcb's yourself. ( so it holds the GC+ 2 and the U-Amp chips). The other 4 layertech are already pretty small.
2. Fusion360 or other cad software. I would recommend programs like maya or blender bc they're focused on creating characters and shapes instead of measurements. You can also start from 3ds scans of controllers, but they are tricky to work with since they are scans and not designs.
3. first make the design bc it's best if you decide your printer based on your design and future projects to prevent buying the wrong printer (for size and features like camera, speed, nozzles, types of filament, etc). If you're only gonna use it for the ashida, then I would recommend going to a makerspace or letting companies like pcbway make your prints for you.
The company of printers also depends on how much you wanna tinker with it. BambuLab is more expensive, but their printers are more reliable.
In general 3D printers have improved a lot since Bambu Lab joined the market, but there's still a difference between them and others
I've seen the Elegoo Centauri Carbon pass by in the discord a few times, so that could also be a good choice, but I can't back it up.

Best thing you can do is watch some reviews to get an idea what the ups and downs are, do some extra research to ensure it's actually a good printer.
And a last tip, never buy a 3DPrinter to also lasercut with it. Even though they can do it, doesn't mean they should.