Framework Computer Mainboard Case Contest on Printables

We partnered with the team at Printables on a design contest for 3d printable cases and accessories for Framework Laptop Mainboards.

Check out the entries and submit your own design here:Framework Computer Mainboard Case | Contest theme | Printables.com

" Design custom 3D-printed case, mount, or accessories for the Framework Mainboard! We’re looking for innovative solutions that highlight the Mainboard’s capabilities as a powerful standalone computer. Whether it’s a sleek case for a mini desktop setup, a creative mount for a unique project, or a modular accessory that enhances functionality, we want to see how you can push the limits. A valid entry must securely house or support the Framework Mainboard. You can use the provided Mainboard case model as a template, even if you don’t own the Mainboard."

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Just to check, it should be a case for a Framework mainboard right?
I got confused by this submission!

Yeah they will be trimming some invalid entries. People don’t read!

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We’re looking for innovative solutions that highlight the Mainboard’s capabilities as a powerful standalone computer.

Curious, looked for an example of what this could mean… AFAICT even the CoolerMaster Mainboard Case page doesn’t yet “highlight the Mainboard’s capabilities as a powerful standalone computer”.

Could it mean …

a. the marketing page infographics and text highlight the capabilities, or

b. the case itself is an infographic that calls attention to the capabilties somehow?

How can capabilities be highlighted?

  • Maybe highlight the capabilities as specification text and infographics?

(How to make that innovative… Attention-guiding shapes and marquee lights? “Our case has LED paths to LCD signs identifying the destination device docked at each gate… they flash when ready to depart… never undock the wrong drive again.”)

  • Highlight specific applications that illustrate a capability of the Framework mainboard?

(“Our Lego® case was designed in Minecraft® running on the mainboard in this case…” How to do that legally without infringing on trademark logos and mascots…? )

  • Highlight sample products created using power-user applications on the Framework mainboard?

(“Our striking artwork case evolved on the Framework computer mainboard purring in this case…”, “Our golden case was financed by a business run on the Framework mainboard locked in this case…”, “Our digital picture frame accepts business cards and paints new artwork by the hour from its Framework mainboard…”, ) Maybe some of the early entries might take this approach, with additional marketing text or infographics to highlight these latent mainboard capabilities.

  • Make subtle or hidden features visible/audible/discoverable/usable

(such as speakers.)

(Edit: Or airflow, though that is affected by the case itself. “Via the transparent windows, edges, and vents of our case, follow Clean Trace smoke trails from the intake vents to the fans and radiators, and see how your Framework Mainboard airflow cools all its powerful components.”, “A field of arrows or flowers decorating our case illustrate airflow direction and velocity across the components of the Framework Mainboard from the intake vents to the fans and radiators.”)

Here is quite a nice one:

Uses a FW13 main board.

Impressive. That uses the battery, screen, and all 4 of the USB-C ports.

(I see it is listed in the List of company or individually driven projects. I haven’t seen any rule to disqualify it. I imagine the owner might rather keep all traffic coming to his own site, though the youtube page links to prusa3d. It also links to his forum, where he notes design weaknesses, like weak hips.)

Hey umm why was the Beth Deck by Beth Le disqualified from the contest? I am not affiliated with that project whatsoever, but I was shocked to learn it was disqualified.

Just two days ago, PC Gamer published an article about the Beth Deck, and it’s amassed over 500 likes on Printables in less than a week. Disqualifying a project of this caliber feels disrespectful towards the community, discourages innovation, and misses an opportunity to promote Framework’s sustainable values to the handheld market.

I hope this is a case of miscommunication between Framework and Printables, and if not, I hope that the contest rules may be amended to include this project—and others like it that might be submitted in the next few weeks.

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The lead picture seems misleading – it shows two different devices, and I think the attractive one that is showing a colorful screen is not an instance of the design. Could that be why?

It looks like it’s still on the contest page for me?

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That’s great! It was not there yesterday, so it must have been restored to the contest overnight. Sounds like the Framework team reached out to Printables to clear things up. I’m glad to see it restored, it’s a great project, and I’m excited to see if more like it will be submitted to the contest.

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