As many of you guys know the iPhone 5 doesn't have an official docking station from Apple. This has inevitably created a massive 3rd party race to create successful iPhone 5 docks. There have been docks made out of Legos, metal, wood, plastic, etc etc etc.
I jumped on the band wagon as well and started making a 3D printed docking station. I started modeling a 3D printed docking station but as I worked on it I wasn't happy with the results. It lacked the extra geek factor I look for when purchasing my own Apple accessories, it was mundane and just plain ordinary.
When people walked by my desk I didn't get any of the neck breaker double takes. So I endeavored in my search for the ultimate docking station design. Still, nothing out there was good enough so I started asking myself what was the ultimate sign of power and geekiness. Then while browsing the inter-webs I came across a 10,000 dollar life size 3D printed Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones HBO series. Then that's when I realized that the Iron Throne would make the ultimate docking station for any true geek out there.
For more of my work go to nuPROTO.com
I jumped on the band wagon as well and started making a 3D printed docking station. I started modeling a 3D printed docking station but as I worked on it I wasn't happy with the results. It lacked the extra geek factor I look for when purchasing my own Apple accessories, it was mundane and just plain ordinary.
When people walked by my desk I didn't get any of the neck breaker double takes. So I endeavored in my search for the ultimate docking station design. Still, nothing out there was good enough so I started asking myself what was the ultimate sign of power and geekiness. Then while browsing the inter-webs I came across a 10,000 dollar life size 3D printed Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones HBO series. Then that's when I realized that the Iron Throne would make the ultimate docking station for any true geek out there.
For more of my work go to nuPROTO.com
Step 1: Modeling and cleaning up the model
So, I went to town and downloaded every graphic available of this throne and begin modeling every single detail down to the smallest gems on each sword's handle. This modeling task took me months to model and get it just right. I took a screen shot of a few of my many files (I have many, many more as this was a long, iterative process).
Modeling was actually the easy part believe it or not. Getting it non-manifold, "watertight" and without any holes was the greatest challenge. Basically all of the technical details which are essential when 3d printing. To give you an idea of the amount of work.. you see those little yellow dots on my model? each dot represents a non-manifold vertex that, after a few major clean ups, still needed to be fixed.
It was extremely painful and extremely time consuming. However, after I was done I had to make it thick enough to be printable (greater than 1mm) and skinny enough so it didn't take forever to print and use and absurd amount of material. Creating such a complex model is no easy feat in and of itself, and each step required more precision since I knew I was going to be printing.
Modeling was actually the easy part believe it or not. Getting it non-manifold, "watertight" and without any holes was the greatest challenge. Basically all of the technical details which are essential when 3d printing. To give you an idea of the amount of work.. you see those little yellow dots on my model? each dot represents a non-manifold vertex that, after a few major clean ups, still needed to be fixed.
It was extremely painful and extremely time consuming. However, after I was done I had to make it thick enough to be printable (greater than 1mm) and skinny enough so it didn't take forever to print and use and absurd amount of material. Creating such a complex model is no easy feat in and of itself, and each step required more precision since I knew I was going to be printing.
Step 2: Slice it up and get it ready for printing
Finally the fun began... Since I only have access to a 4.7" x 4.7" printer, I had to carefully chop up my 3D model into smaller pieces while preserving my non-manifoldness and the structure of the model so it could be easily re-assembled after printing. So not only would I get an awesome 3d printed dock but a nice fun puzzle to put together right after the printing. This wouldn't be included if I had access to a larger printer, but A) those printers are on the order of 10x the price of my printer, and B) it actually lends itself to be molded into several parts anyways, so breaking it down was counter intuitive.
Step 3: Interchangeable Custom made docking stations
I wanted to give some of these docks as gifts during Christmas to some of my friends. However, not everyone has the same phone.. So while modeling this Iron Throne Dock I kept this in mind. When I constructed this dock I kept the opening big enough to fit my phone and other phones with or without cases. I made the bottom part interchangeable so that way I could make custom pieces that would accommodate different phones. So far I've made attachments for the iPhone 5, iPhone 4/4s, and Galaxy Samsung S3 (or any microUSB charger). I'm currently in the process of making some more adaptive trays for other people who would like to get one of these.
Step 4: Printing and glueing model together
After planning, modeling, cutting, and many sleepless nights I was ready to push the literal button on the 3D Printer. This one throne dock took about 4 print jobs. All printing was done down to .2 mm level of detail which increases both the level of detail and the amount of time printing. Print job #1 took about 24 hours of printing. Print #2 #3 #4 totaled to about 18 hours. So basically the print job took a very very long time. However, the wait was worth it!! The amount of detail on this dock is incredible!!.. you can see the gems on each sword handle!!
The final step was to glue the parts together, sand, and prep for painting.
Since my printer uses ABS plastic (not PLA), I glued the parts by melting small pieces of ABS in a cup using acetone. This makes a very fine and sticky paste that is brushed on using small brushes. As the acetone evaporates and dries out... the paste becomes solid and fuses both pieces together. This process gives excellent results that leaves a seamless effect. Everything else like crazy glue, two part glue, plastic glue, etc are all horrible and leave very bad seams and discoloration.
The final step was to glue the parts together, sand, and prep for painting.
Since my printer uses ABS plastic (not PLA), I glued the parts by melting small pieces of ABS in a cup using acetone. This makes a very fine and sticky paste that is brushed on using small brushes. As the acetone evaporates and dries out... the paste becomes solid and fuses both pieces together. This process gives excellent results that leaves a seamless effect. Everything else like crazy glue, two part glue, plastic glue, etc are all horrible and leave very bad seams and discoloration.
Step 5: Prepping, sanding, prepping, sanding and painting!! Then Enjoy!
Once glued into place, I sanded down the model using a fine Dremel bit.. then I brushed the model with another light coat of acetone which dissolved any small imperfections and gives something for the paint to hold on to. Then once again I sanded down the model with a fine sanding paper. Then I used a silver acrylic paint and some black paint to give it a nice aged metal effect.
And voila.. The ultimate Game of Thrones inspired Iron Throne dock is created!!..
Hopefully you guys like it.. So please comment, like, share and vote for me for all the available contests!!
Also please check out my website nuPROTO.com for more of my work and my upcoming projects.
Thanks!
And voila.. The ultimate Game of Thrones inspired Iron Throne dock is created!!..
Hopefully you guys like it.. So please comment, like, share and vote for me for all the available contests!!
Also please check out my website nuPROTO.com for more of my work and my upcoming projects.
Thanks!
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sunshiine
If would ever consider releasing the stl let me know and I could build you one (free) and of course one for me. My son is a big George R. R. Martin fan. Regards
Recently i published a Metal-Casting-at-Home tutorial with the low cost Bismuth (Metal) using your very own personal 3D Printer, ABS filament ,Acetone and a free software called Meshlab.
This innovative easy method (originally created by CosmoWenman) will cut your 3D printing cost in Metal to practically nothing.. instead of paying $8-$10 per cubic cm to 3D printing services who by the way demand a 3mm wall thickness..
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:33450
Dizingof
http://www.thingiverse.com/Dizingof/things