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Laser Cut iPod Dock

Laser Cut iPod Dock
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  • iPodClose.jpg
  • iPodUpload.JPG
  • iPodCable.jpg
  • iPodCorel.jpg
  • iPodCut.jpg
  • ipoddockacrylic1.jpg
  • iPodCutting.jpg
  • iPodDesign.jpg
  • iPodDock.jpg
  • iPodFinished.jpg
  • iPodNear.jpg
  • iPodPeel.jpg
  • iPodPeeled.jpg
  • iPodPieces.jpg
  • iPodSync.JPG
  • ipoddockacrylic2.jpg
  • last photo ←
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This Instructable covers the design and construction process used to create a neat laser cut dock for your iPod Nano.  The dock made in this Instructable is constructed from 3mm MDF, however other 3mm materials can be used (Clear Acrylic etc).

The design was created in Corel Draw X4, the design can be adjusted to suit other iPod models.

The dock design uses the original USB Sync cable that was supplied with your iPod.
 
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Step 1The Inspiration

The Inspiration
The people at Apple are kind enough to include a USB sync cable for FREE with every iPod. It certainly does the job of interfacing the iPod with the PC, but not much more. It tends to just flail around on your desktop looking sad and silly. I decided to design a dock to mount my iPod Nano (Gen IV). By using the original cable I saved cost and simplified the design!
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17 comments
Jun 4, 2011. 6:15 PMfogman103 says:
What laser engraver do you use hitechantics?
Apr 7, 2010. 12:42 PMdopman says:
 Hey,

I made a new dock for myself, this time I made it in plexi glass!
I'd also put some LEDs in to the dock so that it lights up nicely.

Once again everything is made by hand.

Thx for the great Instructable!!!

-dopman

Dec 9, 2009. 12:23 PMdopman says:
Great dock! The only thing that bothered me was that it was made for the iPod nano. I do have a nano but I already own an dock for it. But I didn't have one for my iPhone so I made one myself based on this one!!!
I didn't laser cut it but I did burn in a cool figure in it at the end. The project took me about 2h to draw on "mm-paper" and aprox 6-8h to build, so it is not a so hard project to do!
Dec 10, 2009. 6:47 AMdopman says:
The back and front pieces are made of 4mm thick wood, the center pieces are 6mm each and the "feet" are 5mm.

The phone fits very well and is easy to connect.
I could post a video if u want?

And that snake-skull thing on the front, believe it or not I actually burned it there with a "burningpen"

-dopman

Oct 12, 2009. 2:02 PMthepelton says:
I have a portfolio of my work under my name, Donald Pelton, on www.artbistro.monster.com
Oct 9, 2009. 11:12 AMthepelton says:
Neat!  Was that 1/4 inch plywood you used?  I have a laser engraver myself and have been making stuff for people on commission, and this looked like something I could add to my arsenal, although I don't have an Ipod myself.  I have been getting by with an answering machine from 20 years ago.
Oct 10, 2009. 12:03 PMthepelton says:

Neat!  I was wondering if I could use such materials as MDF and Masonite.  I had been using 1/8in. (3mm) birch plywood for a lot of construction with my Epilog.  This gives me more resources.  Thanks.  (I have to test Masonite.)

Oct 10, 2009. 12:34 PMthepelton says:
I looked up MDF on the web, and found that you can get it in 1/8in. (3mm) thickness.  I am going to go look for some, and see if I can buy it locally before I mail for it, but with paypal, that wouldn't take too long.
Oct 12, 2009. 1:49 PMthepelton says:
What I had been using was 1/8 inch (3mm) baltic birch plywood from www.woodcraft.com
Oct 9, 2009. 2:40 PMChromatica says:
Thx for the great site
Oct 9, 2009. 3:00 PMChromatica says:
awww... you only ship to Austria
Oct 10, 2009. 1:08 PMChromatica says:
Australia is what i meant, spell check changed it and thank you for the site
Oct 9, 2009. 3:56 AMgmjhowe says:
 Great work, Thanks for not only providing the templates, but giving us a good insight into how you went about designing it.

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Author:hitechantics(HiTech Antics)
I run an online laser cutting and etching service in Australia. I am adding open source laser cutting designs for people use and be inspired by on Instructables.... Enjoy!