In the world of technology, the old and the new often collide, creating opportunities for innovation and preservation. At Matter and Form, we recently embarked on a nostalgic yet futuristic project—reviving a shattered shell of a retro handheld game console using our product, the THREE 3D Scanner. This is a tale not just of restoration but of how modern tech can preserve the charm of the past.
Dismantling the Past
Our journey began with a delicate task: dismantling the remnants of the retro game console. Each piece was meticulously organized, ensuring that every fragment was accounted for. This step was crucial, as it set the stage for a careful reassembly process.
The Art of Reassembly
Using tape and CA glue, we reassembled the broken shell. This step required patience and a steady hand, as aligning the jagged edges of broken plastic felt almost like piecing together a historical artifact. The aim was not just structural integrity but restoring its original contours.
Filling the Gaps
Not all pieces of the puzzle were present—some fragments of the shell were lost to time. To address this, we used wax-based clay to fill in the missing gaps, sculpting the fill-ins by hand to match the original shape as closely as possible.
Capturing Every Detail
The next phase involved the heart of our project—3D scanning with the THREE. For this, it was necessary to use AESUB scan spray to ensure the highest fidelity in our digital capture, although since these parts are not useful after scanning, spray paint or talcum powder would also be fine. For the thin walled parts, small magnetic markers were strategically placed, aiding in aligning the fragments during the digital reconstruction.
Digital Cleanup
After scanning, the digital models needed refinement. This step involved removing the imprints of the magnetic markers and cleaning up noise left over from the scan. Then alignment was done to get a complete model of each part.
Ready for Reproduction
Once the digital models were polished, we simplified them to prepare them for 3D printing. This simplification process made sure the models were not only faithful to the original but also optimized for the printing process.
Bringing It to Life
Using a high-resolution resin printer, we printed the reconstructed parts. The precision of resin printing was key in capturing the nuances of the game console’s design. Although resins can be quite brittle (foreshadowing), so we suggest you use FDM if the details are not needed, or ABS like resins.
The Finishing Touches
Post-printing, we had to remove any residual artifacts from the scanning and printing processes. A Dremel tool proved invaluable here, allowing us to refine the surface to its near-original texture. Holes for screws and components were also drilled. The resin was brittle enough that tapping was necessary, which means we used machine screws instead of using the original plastic self tapping screws.
Test, Tweak, and Perfect
With the structure reassembled, we meticulously test-fitted each component. Hand files and sandpaper helped make fine adjustments, ensuring everything fit together just as it did decades ago.
The Final Brushstroke
The last step was painting. This was more than just aesthetic; The paint protects the resin from excess UV which will make it even more brittle. In this case, the original design wasn’t important and the client (A student - age 11) wanted a flashy silver upgrade.
Completion: A Blend of Past and Future
The project concluded with a fully functional and restored piece of gaming history. This journey was not just about the technical steps taken but about the connection formed with the past through the lens of future technology. Using the THREE 3D Scanner, we didn’t just preserve a game console, we preserved a piece of personal and cultural history, demonstrating that technology not only moves us forward but also helps us hold onto the joys of the past.
In the realm of 3D scanning and printing, every project tells a story. This project was a vivid reminder of why we do what we do at Matter and Form—bridging gaps between eras, restoring the old, and making it new again.