127 replies to this topic

[beentheunseen]

Hi guys,

Thought i'd share with y'all something i've been working on...

I just finished building a reprap 3d printer (which is a whole other story, see http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap). Anyways, I wanted a way to install my iPhone in my Mini, but all of the holders I could find on the market were either incredibly ugly or incredibly expensive. So, I decided to make a bespoke mini one using rapid prototyping.

 withAshtray.jpg   100.84K   147 downloads  inCar2.jpg   87.8K   218 downloads

It basically replaces the ashtray in the centre of the upper dash rail - no bolts/screws, no drilling holes, no lame sucker cups or sticky pads...

It's made up of 4 components, the base piece that goes into the ashtray slot, a back plate holding all the connections, a spacer piece, and the iphone cradle itself. The cradle is designed to hold the phone when it is fitted in it's case. No need for an adjustable angle as it's bespoke for a Mini!

 cad.jpg   15.66K   88 downloads  printing.jpg   132.02K   90 downloads

After printing, I shelled a cheapo cigarettle lighter adaptor to get the sweet sweet voltage regualtor from within:

 ciggyplug1.jpg   95.36K   31 downloads  ciggyplug2.jpg   135.69K   45 downloads

I also decapiated an iphone cable with audio and power connections, and threaded it into the unit. I then soldered the power usb power cables directly to the circuit board. The audio output wires were soldered to a couple of RCA suface mount jacks, and the power input to spade connectors. These were then mounted on the back plate:

 wired.jpg   100.37K   55 downloads  closed.jpg   92.99K   49 downloads

Done deal. I hooked it up to my Mini using shielded RCA cables, and a switched 12v output was wired to the spade conenctors, via a fuse of course. The negative cable was wired to the same point on the bodywork as the head unit to avoid ground loops.

 hookedUp.jpg   104.77K   67 downloads  doneDeal.jpg   96.3K   103 downloads

Boom. After a few initial engine interference issues, it now works perfectly! I can play music, stream podcasts, use satnav, charge my phone, and almost make hands-free calls. Only slight issue is that apple doesnt allow call audio to be routed through the 30-pin connector at the bottom, you have to use the 3.5mm headphone jack at the top... The next job will be to integrate this, though it won't be quite as neat to have a cable running into the top.

In closing, 3d printing makes dreams come true. Now where am I going to put my coins...

Attached Files

•  parts.jpg   121.59K   85 downloads

Edited by beentheunseen, 27 July 2012 - 08:39 AM.

[minimarco]

You should receive a Nobel prize for awesome.

Or money.

Edited by minimarco, 26 July 2012 - 10:11 PM.

[beentheunseen]

Hi guys,

Thought i'd share with y'all something i've been working on...

I just finished building a reprap 3d printer (which is a whole other story, see http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap). Anyways, I wanted a way to install my iPhone in my Mini, but all of the holders I could find on the market were either incredibly ugly or incredibly expensive. So, I decided to make a bespoke mini one using rapid prototyping.

 inCar2.jpg   87.8K   28 downloads  withAshtray.jpg   100.84K   21 downloads

It basically replaces the ashtray in the centre of the upper dash rail - no bolts/screws, no drilling holes, no lame sucker cups or sticky pads...

It's made up of 4 components, the base piece that goes into the ashtray slot, a back plate holding all the connections, a spacer piece, and the iphone cradle itself. The cradle is designed to hold the phone when it is fitted in it's case. No need for an adjustable angle as it's bespoke for a Mini!

 cad.jpg   15.66K   23 downloads  printing.jpg   132.02K   21 downloads

After printing, I shelled a cheapo cigarettle lighter adaptor to get the sweet sweet voltage regualtor from within:

 ciggyplug1.jpg   95.36K   9 downloads  ciggyplug2.jpg   135.69K   15 downloads

I also decapiated an iphone cable with audio and power connections, and threaded it into the unit. I then soldered the power usb power cables directly to the circuit board. The audio output wires were soldered to a couple of RCA suface mount jacks, and the power input to spade connectors. These were then mounted on the back plate:

 wired.jpg   100.37K   20 downloads  closed.jpg   92.99K   16 downloads

Done deal. I hooked it up to my Mini using shielded RCA cables, and a switched 12v output was wired to the spade conenctors, via a fuse of course. The negative cable was wired to the same point on the bodywork as the head unit to avoid ground loops.

 hookedUp.jpg   104.77K   22 downloads  doneDeal.jpg   96.3K   23 downloads

Boom. After a few initial engine interference issues, it now works perfectly! I can play music, stream podcasts, use satnav, charge my phone, and almost make hands-free calls. Only slight issue is that apple doesnt allow call audio to be routed through the 30-pin connector at the bottom, you have to use the 3.5mm headphone jack at the top... The next job will be to integrate this, though it won't be quite as neat to have a cable running into the top.

In closing, 3d printing makes dreams come true. Now where am I going to put my coins...

Edited by beentheunseen, 26 July 2012 - 11:24 PM.

[2-alex-2]

i would pay money to have one of them. did you make more than one ?

[zinzan]

If you're selling, I'm buying!

[MiniLuke]

Genius!

[Rainy]

I want one too!

[Cooperman]

Since you own the IPR's, why not offer it to a company like Mini spares to market. Keith Dodd would probably be interested in marketing it with you getting a royalty for each one sold.

[Andrew O]

I would buy one of these now. Are you going to make more ?

Andrew.

[Hegnirst]

ide pay for one of these :)

[Alex_B]

Excellent little project! loving the sound of the 3d printer! arduino based ?

[DaveJH]

Wow, that is very neat, I love it! I'd pay for a Galaxy S2 version, though I'd love to design and make one myself - if only I have enough money to get myself a printer...

[DaveJH]

Also, which version of the reprap did you make? And do you fancy printing the plastic parts for me to make one? I am an engineering student just finishing my masters, I'd love one!

[Alex_B]

Also, which version of the reprap did you make? And do you fancy printing the plastic parts for me to make one? I am an engineering student just finishing my masters, I'd love one!

Not the only one who was looking at getting the bits to make one as well ;)

even better if its arduino based as I have one sitting on my desk waiting for a purpose!

[Jakeclubby]

Excuse my french but you are an EFFING GENIUS my friend that is simply amazing... !!! :) make one for a galaxy note and youve got a customer