Gadget Storage

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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?

 

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.
From top
showing dimensions
bottom view, showing the open idea with posts for screws to attach the bottom plate to the cube.

 

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

 

free version, plugin called round corner, you need to register but here is the link for it
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20485

 

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:lugin:Class"

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

 

@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?

 

It works..... Thanks Michael !!!!
Now to find a good tutorial for it....

 

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....