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.
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.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: 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!
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
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
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!
Good job looks good. I don't have an iPhone, so so far I have not designed a dock to fit. What thickness materaial did you use? Is it a good fit?
Realy good job manualy cutting that out!!
-Mig
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
Feel free to use the design. Obviously you can change the engraved image on the front to suit the customer.....
Enjoy!
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.)
Do you have any photos of the birch ply you use? I would like to find a wood which has an attractive grain pattern that can be clear coated.
Actually It's Australia, not Austria. But from where you live they might both be far away lands! I am starting with the Australian Market now and might branch out later. Try the other companies that I listed (Ponoko or Pololu) for international shipping.