A foam tray alternative that is carved, not plucked
Pluck foam asks you to tear a shape out by hand, and the shape is only ever roughly right. MyMiniCase computes the shape instead: the tray is the exact negative of your miniature, offset by the clearance you choose, and it comes out of a 3D printer or a laser cutter.
Where foam falls short
- It is never the right shape. Plucked cubes leave a rectangular hole; the figure rattles in it or gets squeezed at the widest point.
- It sheds. Foam crumbs stick to fresh varnish, and old foam leaves residue on the paint.
- It compresses. After a few months the pocket is looser than the day you cut it.
- Thin parts snag. A spear tip pushed into foam catches when you pull the model out.
A carved cavity in rigid material fixes each of these. The walls do not compress or shed, and a draft angle on the walls lets the figure lift out without catching.
Two ways to make the tray
3D printed. The default: a case with the cavity inside and a sliding lid on top, exported as STL for any FDM or resin printer.
Laser cut, in layers (Pro). Laser mode slices the same cavity into layers as thick as your sheet material and exports a layered DXF, nested on sheets you size, with cut lines, engraved layer numbers and optional registration-pin holes. Stack the pieces in order and glue them — or choose the accordion style, one strip with perforated fold lines. It suits workshops that already cut MDF or acrylic.
- Load the STL of the figureDrop the file into the generator; it is processed in your browser and never uploaded.
- Choose printed or laser-cut outputKeep the default for a printed case with a sliding lid, or switch to laser mode (Pro) and set the sheet thickness and sheet size.
- Export and make itDownload the STL for your slicer, or the layered DXF for your laser cutter, and assemble the layers in numbered order.
Settings that replace what foam did
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Clearance | The gap between figure and wall. 0.4 mm grips a bare print; 0.8–1.0 mm is kinder to paint. |
| Draft angle | Slopes the cavity walls outwards so the figure releases cleanly. |
| Slice | How finely the cavity follows the figure’s outline, step by step in height. Smaller is closer, and slower to compute. |
| Depth (laser mode) | Auto follows the whole figure; a fixed depth makes a shallow locating tray instead. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a printed tray heavier than foam?
Yes, a solid tray weighs more than foam of the same size. In exchange it does not compress, shed or wear out, and it holds the figure on every side instead of only at the widest point.
Can I line the tray with something soft?
You can, but a fitted cavity does not need it. If you want a lining, increase the clearance by the thickness of the lining so the figure still fits.
What materials can the laser mode cut?
Any sheet your laser cutter handles: the layer height equals the sheet thickness you enter, and the pieces are nested on the sheet size you set. Laser mode is part of the Pro plan.
Carve a case around your own miniature
Drop the STL into your browser, tune the clearance, and download a case with a sliding lid. Three free cases on an email address — no card.
Start the free trial