Open-Source Phone Tripod

In quartile 3, I started recognising the importance of taking good pictures of my explorations and models. I also wanted to improve my 3D modelling skills in OpenSCAD as I’m dedicated to using and promoting open-source software. To combine these interests, I modelled a phone holder tripod first in Fusion 360 (as the point-and-click environment allows for more rapid prototyping for me) and then I translated my findings into the OpenSCAD language. To further support the open-source community, I made my files available under a Creative Commons license on Thingiverse.

After a few weeks of use, the tripod links are not as tight as they were before, which prevents it from keeping its shape as well, thus sometimes sagging under the weight of a heavy phone. What I learnt here is that I need to familiarise myself with material properties more in order to build durable and dependable end products. Later, these realisations would come back in Creative Mechanical Engineering, where I was able to reflect on the mistakes in my earlier designs. Building and reflecting on this tripod mainly helped me develop the area of Technology & Realisation.