Yet Another Bambu CMYK (108x144) Lithophane Frame

Note 3/24/24 - There’s now a simple frame stand for use with the plain, no kickstand, backplate. It fits this frame in any orientation and makes a nice clean and simple display. It's set for 2 walls and 15% infill but up the walls and/or add weight to give it some heft. It's now in the full 3mf file but also added as its own 3mf for those who already have the frame.

Note 12/13/23 - I modified the frame to include the diffuser retainer bumps/strips along the short edge too. It's harder to get it to snap into place but it holds the lithophane a bit better and is way better at resisting pushing the lithophane into the frame. I didn't have a problem with that before but this will make it even less likely.

Note 1/5/24 - Added a plain back with no kickstand to make it easy to use in a separate frame stand. The stl is in the files section but the updated 3mf has it in there now too.

The frogs image is AI generated by DallE3.

I like the Bambu CMYK lithophane frame that uses their LED backlight array, but wanted the lithophane secure, didn't want the diffuser sliding out, and didn't like the light leaks at the open end of the frame. So here is an alternative I worked up. It's pretty much a conventional frame that happens to fit the 108x144mm format lithophanes and LED backlight board. Changing out lithophanes is a bit more of a chore but not terrible. Might not be good if you like to swap them out a lot.

I printed the frame in copper silk PLA, the diffuser in white, and the frame back with kickstand in black. The diffuser snaps into place in the frame with the square ring on the diffuser holding the lithophane in place along its edges. The LED board drops in and the frame back engages the slots in the frame to hold it in place. When setting the back, I engage the two fixed tabs and then work it into place where the rest of the back pops into the recess with the two bendable tabs still not engaged. A gentle pull on the tabs and they pop into place too and complete the back attachment.

The only tricky print is the frame back. The way I've been doing it is flat face down on the Bambu Cold Plate and letting the printer put support between the back and the kickstand. It's a little awkward to clean out but the kickstand tilts out and makes it easier to clean out the support hairs. On my printer it doesn't seem to mind being printed flat but you can always orient it vertical like the way the Bambu frame prints. Down side is it uses a lot of support like that. I also wanted filament strands running along the bending retainer tabs to make them more resistant to breaking. Printing standing up loses some of that. Or, just go with the plain back and put it in a decorative stand.

The AI-generated frogs image 3mf is in the downloads and not part of the photo frame download.

Depending on the fit your printer gives you, you may want to use a little RTV to tack the diffuser plate in place. Looks like the LED heat may curl it a little where the ridges don't hold it as well. When first off the printer it was a fair press to get it to snap into place but a few days running continuously and the heat bends it slightly.