How to Upgrade an Ender 3 3D Printer Into a Gaming PC Case

Ready to give your 3D printer a massive aesthetic and functional upgrade? This guide will show you how to transform a standard Creality Ender 3 into a custom enclosure that looks exactly like a high-end gaming PC rig. Beyond just looking great, this upgrade drastically improves functionality. We will cover relocating the mainboard and power supply into an ATX case, building a custom 3D printed electronics box, and setting up OctoPi on a Raspberry Pi 3 B for completely wireless 3D printer control via Wi-Fi. Whether you want better cable management or remote monitoring, this project has you covered.

Features:

-WiFi Controlling

-Octopi in-built using raspberry Pi 3-B

-RGB Light Bluetooth Control

-Modern Look

Here below download the BOM File.

This took to 1 week to Design and Finalization. Designed in Fusion360 Software.

This took 3 to 4 Days to Print all parts.

To begin the transformation, you will need to print all 38 custom parts for the new electronics enclosure. I have designed these specifically to fit standard ATX case dimensions and house the Ender 3 components securely. Use a durable material like PETG or ABS for parts near the power supply to ensure heat resistance.

Note1: LED diffuser is printed on transparent PLA Filament. Need to have Brim support. 100% infill.

Note2: Front-middle-1 needs support.

There is holes for matching parts and for fitting in each other. Use Super Glue to joint parts.

Note: Do this before painting.

Here I am using an old CPU Case therefore Cleaning the Case and remove all parts from CPU Case.

Remove the power supply from the 3D printer, open it and clean all dust from components.

Note: Do not close it.

Marks all holes of Power Supply and Mainboard on the inside of CPU case. Here I am using the Brass Female nut to attach the mainboard and throw hole screw nut bolt the power supply attaching. Also noted that here I am using another power supply for other components.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Tip: Use solder wire and solder Iron to joint Brass Nut on metal plate of CPU.

Do paint work after all holing part are done and joining of all part done.

Here I choose the Black, Orange and Grey colours.

This will enable you to turn ON/OFF the 3D Printer via WiFi.

Make hole on top of the Power Supply and using Brass Male Female Screw attach the WiFi Relay module on SMPS.

Also upload the program on WiFi Relay module.

Here I am attaching the program code, download and upload using Arduino IDE.

This step is optional if you do not want use the WiFi turn ON/OFF the 3D Printer.

Refer the image for how to cut the switch extra part and also make cut similar at back of CPU where it need to be inserted.

Also cut the metal part of back of CPU Case.

Mark the hole of base stand on CPU Bottom and then make holes.

Use Allen Bolt( Bolt Head Cap) (5x60mm-4) and its nuts to attach the Base with CPU Bottom.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

After inserting the SD Card Cable use super glue to glue permanent.

Attach the LCD with screw to its holder. Now put the acrylic sheet as per dimension of LCD screen.

Pass the cables from the given back hole and then after close Back lid with screw.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Join the Front- Middle , Front - Bottom and LCD parts together with screws.

Step1: Joint both the Front-middle-1 and Front-bottom-2 parts with screws.

Step2: Drill hole in Front parts and on CPU front side as shown in image.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Attach the LCD Assembled part.

Here I am using the Momentary Switch to turn ON/OFF 3D printer Manually.

This switch connected to the WiFi Relay Module.

Make the 12mm Diameter hole and insert the switch.

Cut the acrylic sheet as per given dimensions then stick the mirror film on it. (This is part optional)

Download the G-code file for Engraving printer symbol.

Do the engraving on the where you stick the mirror film.

Use RGB LED Strip 12v with Bluetooth controller. Stick the LED strip on LED plates both Bottom and Side and also inside the front compartment. Complete the wiring of LED strips

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Wire Harness the LED strips to controller and to Power Supply.

Hide all wire under the plate as shown in image.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Extend all cables and wires of motors, bed, limit switch , thermistor, hot end, fan and more.

use Crimping tool to crimp all wires ends.

Use DC-DC Step Down Module with 5v output set to power up the Raspberry Pi.

Connect it to 5v pin on raspberry pi.

Attach Fan, Supply Switch Plug and Raspberry Pi Bb to the Plate using screws and super glue.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Make hole and attach the back plates using rivets.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Here I use Transparent Flexible PVC pipe then I put orange colour in pipe to look nice. Use Pipe holder and stick it on the metal surface of CPU using super glue.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.

Insert Magnets in the given parts and glue it at shown in above image. The circular Magnets will be attached on Acrylic sheet and to hide magnet I use big circle parts and stick on front side of acrylic.

Note: Refer image for more understanding.