Acquire - Replacement Game Board

This is a replacement game board for the classic board game, Acquire. Acquire was invented by the legendary game master Sid Sackson. It was originally published by 3M in 1964, and was later published by Avalon Hill, and others. The original version of the game has been out of print for decades, and is mostly kept by enthusiasts and collectors. If you have one of the original games, and can no longer play it because of a lost or damaged game board, this replacement board is for you.

If you like Acquire, you can find everything you need here on Makerworld. All of it is 3D printable: Game board, game tiles, stock certificate cards and chips (to replace paper money). 

This design matches the original game board, with a 9x12 grid and space for 108 tiles. Each square will accommodate the original tiles, or any tile measuring 17.3 mm square, or smaller.

A full sized game board is too big for a build plate measuring 256 mm square. So this game board is divided into two pieces that print separately. The pieces are attached to each other with snap fit dovetail connectors. Two types of connectors are included. One type incorporates a very simple one-layer “living hinge” that depends upon the toughness inherent in PETG, that allows it to flex without breaking. This hinge allows the game board to fold in half, making it easier to travel with. This simple hinge should last a long time, even with repeated folds. But if it breaks, it is simple and cheap to print more.

The other connector is stiff. If you use it, the board will not fold in half. Either connector can easily be removed once inserted. The game board can be printed in PLA. But the connectors should be printed in PETG, or another tough material that can deform and bounce back to its original shape. If you use PLA, there is a good chance the connectors will break when you insert them.

A complete print profile is included. But if you want to DIY, I have included separate stl files for the tile numbers/letters. In Bambu Studio, these files would be loaded as modifiers to the appropriate half of the game board. I adjusted the modifiers to a 1.6 mm Z position, which allows the text to be flush with the surface of the square. I turned on ironing, which worked good for me. But you may need to adjust based upon the filament you are using. 

This is a two-color print that very much benefits from the AMS. The print profile includes 8 filament changes and a flush volume of 2.3 grams of filament.