Nintendo Switch Game Holder
I spent a weekend noodling on a Nintendo Switch game holder idea that’s been stirring in my mind for a while. Here are the iterations I went through as well as the learnings along the way.
Project Definition
Hold games in a way that protects them, yet also is visible to be able to find the game you’re looking for
Easy to take out games and put away games
Accommodate 12 games, but also is fairly easily scaled with more games in the future
Blend into the environment when games aren’t being browsed at
V1 Assembly - Telescoping Rods
In theory: wanted to be able to lift up the top, expand to see multiple layers of games and collapse it when not needed. That way, we can fit multiple layers of games, without them having to take up the same space.
In reality: printed this and
There was no way to hold the layers up
Maybe if I got the fit really well (so relying on friction) or if there was a lip, it would sit up
You had to be really careful to fit each layer into the right spot to get it to collapse
Needed a rail system so that each layer would ride in the right groove of the adjacent layer
It didn’t actually achieve the intended purpose of being able to fit more games since the games would have to be staggered on each layer
V2 Assembly - Double Layer Mushroom
Made the center column a certain diameter to try to be able to fit the bearings I had on hand later on, later on decided it was actually unnecessary since the fits and small protruding lip minimized friction enough that it was easy to spin
Designed in heat set inserts to make it easy to disassemble later on
Mushroom top had heat set inserts that inserted from the bottom, which meant that it would’ve needed a carrier part so the cosmetic part wouldn’t get scuffed up when the inserts were being heat staked in
Tried to remove weight from the mushroom base, but it would’ve been a very tall part that would’ve taken a very long time to print since things take longest in Z
Included spots for weights at the bottom, for a more premium feel and so the bottom wouldn’t lift off when the top was being lifted
Separated center column, bottom of center column, and top of center column into different parts because the bottom needed to fit in a groove to be able to sit up and it would’ve been too large of a part (not easy to reprint if it was one part)
Printed center column on its side for better structural integrity and test printed it to see if layer 1 would rotate nicely around it
Mushroom proportions not accurate, the mushroom top would have to be so large to have it be shaped more accurately
Test printed the springiness of the game in the game holder, interferences ranging from 0.2 to 0.6mm, where 0.4mm was the best
High risk interfaces
Lip for the bottom to sit in - test printed it but ABS is quite brittle so it wouldn’t move, next time with a dynamic interface like that would want to test print using PETG and have a smaller form factor to print so it’s easier to test
Games - having some leeway in layer 1 so it’s easier to see
V3 Assembly - Single Layer Mushroom
Mainly wanted to simplify the problem as much as possible to get a proof of concept out the door for the gamejam presentation
Single layer
Have it sit in a lip so the games can be seen when expanded
Modified so screws would install from the top through the white dot cutout
Removed excess material from mushroom bottom
White dots / mushroom eyes required clever surfacing tricks to get it so it completed the mushroom’s shape
Reduced surface area that would rub against each other for layer 1 on the tower base, resulted in a smooth rotation (bearing-like feel without the bearing)
Added a bowl like compartment as a secret container for the top dot
Realized that the mushroom form factor makes it difficult to see the games, opting for a green pipe form factor instead that has pocket door to be able to see the games
V4 Assembly - Green Pipe
Modified the assembly to more easily scale the number of games held without being tied to the proportional mushroom form factor
