Nintendo DSi tour

Pre-History

I was not comfortable in deconstructing my Nintendo DSi but i thought it would be an interesting electronic for this assignment. I found a website that a had a step by step on how take apart a DSi. Here is the link https://makingstudio.blog/2016/09/15/nintendo-dsi-teardown/

Deconstruction

tools needed

1. Spudger
2. Metal Spudger
3. Flathead 3/32″ or 2.5 mm Screwdriver
4. iFixit Precision Bit Driver
5. Solder Wick Braid
6. Lead‑Free Solder
7. Soldering Station Hakko FX888D‑23BY
8. Phillips #000 Screwdriver
9. Tri‑point Y00 Screwdriver

Disassembled unit highlights

• logic board (C/TWL-CPU-01) carries 3 chips:
  • 1. Samsung KLM5617EFW-B301 for Flash Memory
  • AIC3005 (haven’t found purpose yet)
  • Mitsumi 3317A (haven’t found purpose yet)
• Plastic casing – Some form of molds are likely used, could be injection or compression molding
• Printed circuit boards – Very briefly, this includes the steps of copper patterning, etching, lamination, drilling, coating, then soldering/alternate mounting procedures
• Speakers – A metal die is likely used to cast the frame, and attached to other components (cone, voice coil, copper wires) via gluing
• Touch screen – A transparent material (the film), a conductive layer, and a cover sheet are adhered, then coated or cased with glass
• LCD screen – Two glass layers are polished, washed, and coated. A layer of indium tin oxide is evaporated onto the glass, followed the application of a long chain polymer. These components are sealed together using a resin.  Spacers are then put into place, and the screen is filled with a liquid crystal material.

Here is also a video on the disassembly of the DSi in the same sky blue color I have

Lived History

The Journey of a Nintendo DSi

1. Purchase, November, 2006, Best Buy, Springfield,VA, USA

• My Dad bought my brother and me Nintendo DSIs when they came out, although I do not remember knowing anything about it nor asking for one before receiving it.

2. First Power-On, November, 2006, Alexandria, VA, USA

• The DS Lite was powered on for the first time, its dual screens lighting up and emitting the familiar Nintendo startup chime. The device’s first game, “Nintendo dogs,” was inserted, and the obsession with dogs began.

3. Family Fun, 2007, Northern Virginia

• The DSi craze swept the family. Every child had a DSi or wanted one. Multiplayer games of “Mario Kart DS” and “Pokémon Diamond” were the highlights. The DSi, passed around among friends, became a central part of my cousins and I’s social interactions and gaming experience.

4. Family Road Trip Companion, 2007 – 2010, Road trips from Virginia to Canada

• The DSi proved to be an essential entertainment during long family road trips multiple times a year to Canada. It helped pass the time with games like “Mario Kart DS” and “Cooking Mama.” The device endured hours of playtime, providing entertainment, and as a source of music, ensuring the journey was less monotonous.

5. Blizzard Entertainment, February 5-6, 2010, Alexandria, VA, USA

• Description: During a two-week break from school being snowed in with family, the DSi became a favorite evening pastime. After a day filled with outdoor activities, the DSi was a welcome source of relaxation and fun. Many hours were spent on Flipnote watching and creating.

6. The Upgrade, N/A, Alexandria, VA

• The DSi experienced a major game upgrade. My dad worked some sort of crazy magic which allowed me to have one sd card in my DS with the ability to play any game I wanted, instead of switching out cards.

7. Ipad introduction, April, 2010, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

• The iPad was released, and I was gifted it for some special occasion. Slowly and surely it replaced the love for the DSi

8. Apple Takeover, 2012, Alexandria, VA, USA

• The DS Lite was, alongside its collection of games and accessories long forgotten. It was replaced by newer Apple devices like the iPad and iPod. Its whereabouts in the house are unknown, and its existence is forgotten.

9. Rediscovery and Revival, Spring, 2020, Alexandria, VA, USA

• During a spring cleaning session, I discovered my brother and I’s DSis in a drawer in my dad who had long since moved out side table. Despite the passage of time, it powered on without issue. I went through looking at old pictures and seeing the games and music still worked. The DS Lite, despite its aged appearance, still held a special place in and made me reminisce on the memories of my childhood.

10. Back in the drawer, June 2024, Alexandria, VA, USA

• The DS Lite was cleaned and placed in a side table drawer, but this time mine for me to hold on to. It is there as a testament to years of entertainment and countless memories, a reminder of gaming in my childhood.

Afterlife

Decision to Recycle, July 15, 2024, Alexandria, VA, USA

• After much contemplation in the process of moving out, I decided to responsibly recycle the Nintendo DSi rather than letting it gather dust. I research local recycling facilities to find the best option for ensuring the device’s materials are properly processed and reused.

2. Drop-Off at e-Waste Recycling Center, July 20, 2024, Fairfax County Electronics Recycling

• Description: The DSi is taken to the FairFax County Recycling Center, a well-known e-waste recycling facility. The center specializes in responsibly recycling electronic waste and provides transparency about their recycling processes. The device is cataloged and prepared for transport to their processing partner.

3. Transport to ERI (Electronic Recyclers International), July 23, 2024, Holliston, MA, USA

• The DSi is transported to ERI’s facility in Holliston, Massachusetts. ERI is one of the largest e-waste recyclers in the United States, known for their advanced technology in dismantling and processing electronic devices. The device will be dismantled here, with materials sorted for recycling.

4. Dismantling and Material Separation, August 1, 2024, ERI Facility, Holliston, MA, USA

• At ERI, the DSi is dismantled. The plastic casing, metal components, battery, and circuit boards are all separated. Each material is sorted into appropriate recycling streams. The plastic casing, made of ABS plastic, is identified for recycling.

5. Plastics Shredding and Processing, August 10, 2024, ERI Facility, Holliston, MA, USA

• The ABS plastic casing is shredded into small pieces. These pieces are washed and cleaned to remove any contaminants. The cleaned plastic is then melted and formed into pellets, which are easier to transport and reuse in manufacturing new products.

6. Shipment of Recycled Plastics, August 15, 2024, Holliston, MA, USA to Guangdong, China

• The plastic pellets are shipped to Guangdong, China, where they will be used by manufacturers in producing new plastic products. Guangdong is a hub for plastic recycling and manufacturing, ensuring that the recycled materials are put to good use.

7. Manufacturing New Products, September 1, 2024, Guangdong, China

• In Guangdong, the recycled plastic from the DS Lite’s casing is used to manufacture new plastic products. These could range from household items to new electronic device casings. The recycled plastic helps reduce the demand for virgin plastic and supports sustainable manufacturing practices.

8. Integration into New Electronics, December 1, 2024, Various electronic manufacturing plants, China

• The recycled plastic from the DS Lite finds new life as part of the casing for a new line of eco-friendly smartphones. These smartphones highlight the use of recycled materials in their construction, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

From its early days as a childhoood gift, the Nintendo DS Lite had quite the voyage. It rapidly won our affection as a traveling family member, entertaining us with its assortment of games. The DSi was always there, bearing scrapes and bumps along the road, whether it was playing Mario Kart with pals or discovering new meals with “Cooking Mama”. Newer consoles were released over time, and the DSi was finally withdrawn but not forgotten.

I transported it to a nearby e-waste facility in NYC when the choice was made to recycle it, and they meticulously disassembled everything. Researching to see how the different components—from its robust plastic case to its complex circuitry—were separated and ready for recycling was interesting. Its plastic parts will most likely be sent to a recycling center in Massachusetts, where they will undergo processing such as cleaning, shredding, and small-scale pelletization.

After that, the pellets will cross the world to Guangdong, China, where they will be revived and used in different products. It’s incredible to consider that something that used to keep us occupied for hours on end is now a part of cutting-edge technology. The entire procedure served as a reminder of the significance of recycling electronics: by repurposing outdated equipment, we cut down on waste and save precious resources. It serves as a reminder that every gadget has a backstory and can make a lasting impact even after its intended use has ended.