Build a "working" tricorder

Step 3 Building a cardboard box

 So now we have a movie to simulate the medical scanner display.  All we need is a tricorder.  First, we will build a 3 sided corrugated cardboard box to the precise external dimensions of the iphone.  Next, we build a small wooden box to hold the cardboard box (the "head" of the tricorder).  Finally, we build a large wooden box to hold the small box (the "body" of the tricorder).  So rather than state the measurements up front, you need to derive the measurements from the prior stage, ie the cardboard box must fit the phone, the small wood box must hold the cardboard box, and the large box must hold the small one.  And the external dimensions of your phone may vary a bit, depending on whether you have it in a protective case or not.

The cardboard box has a cutout for the screen and speaker, plus a 1/8 inch hole over the "home" button.  We'll rig up a tiny piece of dowel rod later to let us press the "home" button to activate the phone once it is encased.  The width of the box is exact, but the length is slightly longer than the phone -- I used some additional cardboard shims to wedge the phone in place.   Be careful here -- don't destroy your phone.