Group buy: 3D-printed 240 cup holders

jamesinc

What a time to be alive.

I am organising a group-buy of 3D-printed cup-holders for 240s. These cup holders are appropriate for things like coffee cups or other cups that are wider at the top than the bottom.

Originally designed by Blippy on Thingiverse under a Creative-Commons non-commercial license, and as such they are priced at $33 per cup holder, which is cost price + $2 to cover my expenses.

They will be printed from black ABS plastic and should be plenty strong enough for even the blackest of coffees. If you have a burning desire to get one in a different colour, let me know.

It doesn't include shipping costs, though I should be able to ship them in the $2 large letter bracket.

jamesinc

Edit: also, I am still hunting around to see if I can get the cost down any further, but it probably won't come down by much, as ABS filament is fairly expensive.

Some in the past have made these cup holders using PLA, which is a cheaper plastic, however it has been found to warp badly when left in the car on a warm day. ABS is much more durable.

Ghettobird

ABS is more durable, are you getting these printed by someone else?
I might try printing one out of PLA tonight and seeing how tough it is

jamesinc

By all means have a go, the settings and files are all on the Thingiverse page. Just FYI the verdict is already in from others that have printed these that PLA isn't suitable for hot/sunny car cabins

Aggy

Hi James, would like to order 2 if it can.

Goofy87

Keen as a been! One for me please

jamesinc

I'm going to have some test models made to check that it'll work well. We're also looking at a revised one-piece design, a one-piece design that suits the 240's aesthetic better, and a design to fit the 7/9 series (no promises there as they don't have such a nice overhang to clip onto)

Ghettobird

A one piece will be a nightmare to print & wont have the layer strength of a flat print with significantly more fillament wastage if supports are used

Whos doing design work?
Ive already designed a nicer looking bracket for mine

jamesinc

Ghettobird;136491 wroteA one piece will be a nightmare to print & wont have the layer strength of a flat print with significantly more fillament wastage if supports are used

Whos doing design work?
Ive already designed a nicer looking bracket for mine

Uhhhh, I'll probably draw it. I see what you mean about wastage. A 2-piece design might still work though. The main concern I'm seeing is people want larger brackets to spread load and reduce the risk of damage to the interior.

DW42

Count me in for one.

pineapple

Is this still going ahead?

jamesinc

@pineapple still on the cards. I'm trying to sort out a prototype /possibly do an improved version based on feedback

pineapple

@jamesinc too easy

jared244

I'm in James!

c30c30

What are your printing costs? I have printer that does ABS. Might be able to do a better rate.

jamesinc

@c30c30 I'll send you a PM

Ghettobird

Any colour requests in Blippys design? Ive got a batch in blue and black pumping out, Dark brown if I have time before Friday

Any other colours? Also working on another design, But these will be present at the Meet!

Printed in ABS, 0.2mm layer height and 25% Infill

Philia_Bear

I wonder what milled 6061 would cost me...

Ghettobird

Probably wouldn't be too bad for a few, but Id hate to see nice alu being wasted on an old design.
Maybe some suggestions would help direct a more useful/aesthetic design?

Ive made up a rough cad with some universal sizes, just dont have the time

Xs4Eyes

Maybe interior tan? Machined micarta or G10 might work, both are awesome materials.