Advice on Best Approach (noob)

Support Modeling
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Hi All

I am about to start my first blender project (for 3D printing). I’m totally new to 3D so a lot of learning ahead! I have a home automation that I use android (Kindle Fires) touch screens as wall mounted controllers. Problem is no-one makes dedicated wall mounts for Kindles, Galaxies, etc. After months of searching, I decided to have a go at 3D printing and make one myself. The finished product should look something like this (think picture frame).

vidabox_ipad_frame_front2.jpg490×719 58.9 KB

Given it’s going to be 3D printed, I want to make it hollow. I sketched some diagrams of how it would look:

This is a cross section of one of the rails. Haven’t finalize the profile design yet. For now well assume a curve.

Cross2.JPG1055×680 89.2 KB

This is 3D cross section of same from the bottom, so the tablet would go face down onto this. The screen lays on the lower “step”, the rest would be hollow (to save on material costs) and then the outer “wall”. The second “step” is where protruding plugs and the cables would be routed and will be about 1.25" wide.

Cross.JPG1915×2036 638 KB

I figured that I’d have to put some “trusses” in to stop it flexing too much. I figured one at each corner and one in the middle of the long edges. These are shown dotted in the bottom view below

Bottom.JPG1645×2047 482 KB

I’m looking for advice on the best plan of attack

My thoughts have been

Start with the widest part of the frame and make the frame, then add the steps and the outside wall.

Start with the outside wall (extruded) and then add the “inner” components and trusses

Start with the outside wall and trusses and extrude, then add other “inner” components.

Start with a solid piece of the total depth and “cut away” the rabbets.

As you can see, I’m all over the place. Any pointers or reading recommendations for this type of work gratefully accepted

I’m going to buy this, given that I’m new to 3D design and printing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HolxfI4XgCE

Regards

Mark

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Here is good tutorial on 3D printing:

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thanks for the link ridix

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Quite frankly, since your interest is in getting your Kindle mounted in a convenient spot on your wall, and not in Blender, 3D or 3D printing, I’d suggest you take your Kindle to a picture frame maker (not one of the chains, but an independent artisan), explain the problem, and let him solve it.

Not that I’m against your Do-It-Yourself impulse, mind you, it’s just that sometimes, getting it done takes precedence over getting it done yourself.

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Hi Orinoco
Thanks for the reply and suggestion. I understand where you’re coming from; however, there are quite a few reasons why I don’t to go to a framer:

  1. Price. I’m shocked at what custom framing costs in US (at least the Chicago and Boston, where I used to live) - an acquaintance of mine paid $750 for two 8x10 photos to be framed (but he’s pretty gullible). Besides the multi-level rabbets, they need cutouts for a plug, channels for wiring and holes for speakers, reset, etc. I reckon they would cost me $100 or more each (without the cutouts and holes) and I need to do at least 3, probably 4.

  2. I have a few friends who are also interested in the mounts and may sell some to other people who’ve done the same thing with the Kindle Fire. I’m not looking to make money from it (though it would be nice :-)): it’s more of a way to give back to some of the online communities I’m currently involved. If there was a big market, I’d have it professionally designed and injection molded, but I reckon the total demand from the people I know that want one between 10 and 50 units. I do my own framing and planned to make them with wood myself, but making 3 or 4 would take quite a bit of time. When I post the finished piece online (like a fellow online member did) there’ll be requests to make some for others. I don’t have the time for this, so if someone like shapeways could sell them, it gives others an opportunity to buy and saves me all the fulfillment inconvenience. If it works, I’ll probably make alternative versions for Nexus tablets, etc. I realize the time to learn blender and 3D printing is probably longer than the time to time to make from wood, but I can work in blender at lunch times and read tutorials in bed, etc. Finding 20-30 hours for blender is a lot easier than finding 15-20 hours in my garage (not too comfortable in summer). Plus, I’m learning a re-usable skill.

  3. I (like many people) have a kinesthetic learning style so the way I learn many things is by finding a real world project and tackling it. This is my project to get me going with 3D printing, as I am pretty interested in it and think I’ll do more and more as I understand it better.

So far, I’ve watched many you tube videos, bought the 3D printing DVD training and watched several chapters of that. I now understand a lot more about box modeling, manifold vs. non-manifold, 3D printing capabilities and limitations. I hope to have my first attempt complete this week. I’ll then get one printed using cheapest material to check design and fit, tweak it and then get the final version printed.

Regards

Mark