Valve Made Accessory Design Easier — So I Made 3 Steam Controller StandsValve recently did something really nice for makers: they released CAD files for the external shell / surface topology of the new Steam Controller and Steam Controller Puck. The files include STP/STL models and reference drawings with important keep-out areas, specifically to help people hack, mod, or design accessories around the controller.That might sound like a small thing, but if you design 3D printed accessories, it makes a huge difference.Usually, designing around a controller means a lot of guessing: measuring curves by hand, taking reference photos, printing test pieces, adjusting, printing again, and slowly working your way toward a good fit. Having proper surface geometry removes a lot of that friction. You can spend less time guessing the shape and more time making something useful.For me, that turned into three simple accessories for the new Steam Controller.1. IKEA SKÅDIS Wall MountThe first model is a compact IKEA SKÅDIS-compatible wall mount.I wanted something clean that gets the controller off the desk, but still keeps it easy to grab. The mount uses a strong vertical SKÅDIS hook and holds the controller snugly in place, so it feels more like a proper fitted accessory than a generic wall hook.It is a nice option for pegboard setups, gaming rooms, desk walls, or anyone who already uses SKÅDIS to organize their gear.2. Ultra-Slim Display StandThe second model is the most minimal one.This stand uses under 9g of filament and prints in under 40 minutes, even on high-quality settings. It is basically the quick-print option: small, lightweight, and simple, but still enough to hold the controller upright on a desk or shelf.I like this one because it does not try to be more than it needs to be. It is just a clean little stand that does its job.3. Minimalist Desk StandThe third model is a more solid-looking minimalist stand.It has a slightly larger cradle shape and gives the controller a clean display position while still staying compact. This one feels a bit more like a permanent desk or shelf stand — simple, stable, and made to blend in instead of stealing attention from the controller.Why I Appreciate Valve Releasing These FilesThe best part about this is not just that I could make a few controller stands.It is that Valve made it easier for the community to build around their hardware. They did not need to release full internal production files or anything sensitive. Just the outer shape, useful references, and keep-out information are already enough to help makers create better-fitting accessories.That is the kind of support that makes a product more fun to own.A controller is already useful on its own, but once the maker community can design around it, it becomes part of a bigger ecosystem: wall mounts, stands, docks, travel cases, grips, accessibility mods, holders, display pieces, and probably a lot of strange ideas nobody has thought of yet.I really like that Valve seems to understand this. Instead of locking everything down, they gave makers a head start.

As a car engineer and a huge rotary engine fan, I wanted to make something for my Bambu Lab A1 / A1 Mini that brings a bit of JDM culture into my setup.So I designed this Rotary Front Cover.The idea was simple: not just making the toolhead look rotary-inspired, but actually making it feel alive. The part I’m happiest with is that the design uses the A1 extruder shaft to turn the rotor, so when the printer is extruding, it looks like the rotary is revving. That was the whole vision from the start.    Getting there took way more work than it might seem. I 3D scanned the area of the toolhead and went through countless iterations to get the fit, proportions, and overall look right. I wanted it to feel clean on the printer, but still instantly recognizable to anyone who loves rotary engines and JDM styling.  I personally really like the grey version because it gives it a clean OEM-style look, but printing it in silk PLA gives it a much more metallic, “real engine part” kind of vibe, which also suits the design really well.  This is definitely a small mod, but it adds a lot of character to the printer, especially if you’re into cars and want something a bit different from the usual accessories. Any rotary fans here?