Over the holidays I used CAD to design my 1st "otter box" type case for the Panasonic ToughPad FZ-M1 with a Ram Mount 1" ball. Got it 3d printed and have used over the past 2 weeks with great success. The case allows for the use of Panasonic 16hr extended life battery.
Here are a few photos.
Very nice.
What material was used? I presume it will stand up to prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures without degrading or becoming brittle.
Chris,
I had it printed at a commercial shop in New York City at www.shapeways.com. Made from a powder form of PLA - Strong & Flexible Plastic.
I have used it in near 0° temps for last 2 weeks, with no problems. Does not appear brittle or fragile. Much like an otterbox, but it has more of a textured feel.
They have many materials to choose from. Even metal products such as stainless steel.
From their website>>
To print in this material, we start with a bed of nylon powder and sinter the powder with a laser layer by layer, solidifying the powder as we go. Because of this layer by layer process, some products may see a staircase effect. How much you see this effect depends on how your model is oriented in the print tray. Our production planners are working hard to orient models optimally to ensure efficient and good lookin' trays.
Look and Feel
This material is incredibly versatile, and can be used for a wide variety of applications, from iPhone cases to jewelry, remote controlled quadcopters to wearable bikinis. When thin, it's flexible enough for hinges and springs. When thick, it's strong enough for structural components.
Handling and Care
Strong and Flexible plastic is dishwasher safe, not watertight, not recyclable, and not food safe. Strong & Flexible plastics are heatproof to 80? / 176? degrees. Higher temperatures may significantly change material properties.
Did you work off of a scan of the tablet, or did you allow for some foam cushioning or other similar to snug up the fit?
No scan.
I made all manual measurements with calipers. This 1st prototype is a nice snug fit with no cushion. Found out thru the 3d print process, that case needs to be larger.
I have designed several more a bit larger to allow for a loose fit.
Does the 3d printing place offer scanning? That would make sense to me...
If you've ever seen the Jay Leno/Faro/Autodesk thing on youtube, something like that.
Very nice,
what's the price for printing?
Chr.
Cost about $125 to 3d print.
No they do not scan. But I did find a free software that will turn my kids Xbox 360 Kinect into a 3d scanner.
I have access Faro scanner. Didn't need it so far.
Lee,
As I have mentioned in other posts with you we have exactly the same Toughpad which the guys love except for the current holder we use. It sits in such an awkward way that it hits the power button at all the wrong times.
Would you be willing to share your design so that we could get one processed as well?
I don't have a problem compensating you since you obviously put some time into that.
Thanks
Gregg,
Send me an email and I'll get you the info.
LeeGreen.com
Gregg,
I was in the field and could NOT call your office in time to catch you.
Call me tonight or in am before I head to Florida.
Lee Green
