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Gadget Storage

Discussion in 'Projects' started by Harry, Feb 24, 2013.

  1. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    Hey All. So I"m not the most experienced, but I was wondering if anyone, and consider yourself pretty dam good at 3D Design, wanted to partner up with me and make some sort of Gadget Docking/Charging Station. That also has audio, network, and sync support. Let me know.
    - Harrison
     
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  2. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    That sounds like a cool idea! I especially love the idea of setting up a collaborative. What were you thinking Harry?
     
  3. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    Hey Michael and all interested, so I was thinking of something that in a way is a never ending expanding object. Something that could be a speaker for you device, a charging station for usb devices, storage for your gadgets (Organization), and maybe an alarm clock feature. I know this is a wild idea. And complex, but what do you think?
     
  4. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    Right away I think of a modular system, each feature is a new "block". So first block would let you lets say charge your Iphone, then maybe have magnets on the sides so that you can add a second block which could be a speaker, it locks in via magnets and a male/female connection that ensures it is going in the correct orientation and could even be used for power or other data connection. A cool feature would be if block #1 connected via a power supply and then you could add up to lets say 5 blocks with out the need for additional power. I could see it in a family situation, you have 4 Iphones in the family 4 blocks (maybe even different colors) where each phone can sit and charge, even sync to the computer.
     
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  5. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    Magnets are a great solution for attaching objects. I'm amazed it has taken until recently for mainstream designers to implement this.
     
  6. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    Agreed JDM_ plus they can easily be concealed, a small pocket could be made one top right and one top left corner, and a small magnet could be used, this way if you want to remove a block you simply pull that block off. I wonder if USB mini would be a good connector to use to link the blocks?
     
  7. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    Yes. Either a USB Mini, or just a normal USB Port. I'm thinking since the USB Port is bigger, it would have greater support for the product.
     
  8. SPyKER

    SPyKER Active Member

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    Remember, items can be "embedded" into objects you print. Just insert a pause point where you want it, have the print head move out of the way, insert the magnets or whatever, then have the process continue. The only really tricky part is making sure the object does not move.
     
  9. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    If the box is made hallow and you can access the inside... then you could design places where the magnets will sit then glue them in. If you have a positive of on box attracting to the negative on the next box then they should attract even if there is a small layer of plastic I between.

    Does this make since?
     
  10. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    Spyker great point, embedding the magnet would be great, would give the block a cleaner look. JDM_ I think that would work as well but if they could be embedded into the print I think it would actually work better. My thought is for each one to have a "base" which would be solid but then the walls would be hollow, this way they would have enough weight to sit but not use up so much material. I'm imagining a rounded cube sort of box. I may tinker with this a bit and try coming up with a basic model that okay Harry?
     
  11. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    That is fine! I think it would be really cool, if we could come up with a "Open Source" product, and then once we get a good prototype up and running, we can tell people where to buy the parts, or buy the parts for them and sell them to them, so they can build their own. Kinda like the Robo. Your thoughts?
     
  12. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    Hey Michael, also was wondering what software do you use?
     
  13. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    I did this with Sketchup, I'd be happy to share the files. So here is the first prototype. It is designed to dock an Iphone 4S which would sit in the dock at a 10 degree angle. The "panels" are 65mm and the entire box has a 5mm radius all the way around so the box cube is 75mm all sides. It is hollowed with an open bottom and posts so that a bottom could be attached after the insertion of electronics. Was trying to make the cut outs needed for USB Micro but was having some difficulty. Should note, there is also no cut out for the actual Iphone connector either.
    Screen Shot 2013-02-25 at 10.48.05 PM.png From top
    Screen Shot 2013-02-25 at 10.52.23 PM.png showing dimensions
    Screen Shot 2013-02-25 at 10.54.12 PM.png bottom view, showing the open idea with posts for screws to attach the bottom plate to the cube.
     
  14. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    How did you do the rounded corners in sketchup? Are you using the free or pro version?
     
  15. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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  16. Harry

    Harry Team ROBO 3D
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    Nice Michael! I'm liken it. I'm going to come up with an idea based off that, I think if we all make ideas based off one another and say what we think is good/bad we could end up making an epic thing for us haha
     
  17. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    Michael.. Can't get round corner to load :(
    Getting following error messages...

    "Cannot load plugin LibFredo6 because the script cannot create DEFPARAM_Dir folder in:
    /Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins
    Please create it manually, respecting the case"
    &
    "Cannot load plugin RoundCorner because the script cannot create DEFPARAM_Dir folder in:
    /Library/Application Support/Google SketchUp 8/SketchUp/Plugins
    Please create it manually, respecting the case"
    &
    "Error Loading File LibFredo6.rb
    undefined method `average_load_time' for Traductor::plugin:Class"

    I'll have to play with it tomorrow... getting late...
     
  18. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    @JDM_ I had the same issue, navigate to library/application support/google sketchup8/Sketchup/Plugins and create a new folder called DEFPARAM_Dir then back out to the .../Sketchup and right click (ctrl click) on Plugins and make sure that Admin (or whatever user you are on the computer) is set to read and write. Restart Sketchup and it should work.

    @Harry, sounds good! I probably spent about an hour or so doing it as I was watching some TV last night, I'm sure I could do some pretty heavy revisions to it but want to see what everyone else is thinking too. What other blocks do we think would be good to have?
     
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  19. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    It works..... Thanks Michael !!!! :D
    Now to find a good tutorial for it....
     
  20. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    One thing to consider when making an iPhone dock is wether it will be able to work with a case on the phone. I have bought docks and then later down the road bought a new case just to have it not fit anymore. I have seen docks with adapter plates that snap in to allow for cases. Not sure if this is something you guys want to mess with on the first go round though.
    Another box could be a wallet and or spare change holder. I usually store my wallet where I charge my phone....
     

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