2G FEEDBACK - Center Console Switch Panel/Cup Holder

[Kai Hefner]

I'm suited into my new area and I'm finally getting back to trying to create 3D printed parts for our cars. I've been working on a drop-in replacement for the cup holder in the center console. Personally I never use the cupholder so I wanted to make a touch-button switch panel. Noticing that people like having cup holders and hate the little change holder thing, I'm also considering making a drop-in replacement that has 2 cup holders.

No pricing or anything at all yet, just want to get feedback on if there would be any interest in one of these replacements. Any ideas on what else the replacement could be? Any comments about fitment? Let me know what I could improve.

The part is still a prototype so there is a big hole cut in the middle to save on material printing out different iterations.

 

[SNAKE_15]

I agree, I rarely use the cupholder just on the fact drinks get in my way when I'm shifting gears. I like that idea for a switch panel so I would be interested nonetheless for different options. Would you be able to color match the tray to the color of interior?

 

[Kai Hefner]

Would you be able to color match the tray to the color of interior?

Most white filaments are just cheaper for prototypes, that's why this one is white.

The match won't be perfect, but I can print in black and grey so that would be somewhere close. That's likely the majority of the color options I would offer considering I believe most people's center consoles are either grey or black.

Also, this idea came to me because of the shifting gears problem too! I just have a water bottle behind the passenger seat that I reach for now.

 

[Kryndon]

Can you add a small curvature on the top profile so it follows more closely with the other pieces? It would make it nicer, and the printer can just add onto it I guess.

Also, there's a few important bits under that section, such as the rear O2 connector, the SRS module and the handbrake lever adjuster. Thus, it means the part needs to endure constant taking off and on just in case somebody needs to mess with those systems.

Also, from personal experience, I've found the stock cupholder there (not the one under the armrest) to be the best spot to put my phone in. I've even glued on some foam padding on the bottom to stop scratches occuring. However, that means you can't put a drink in it! So it would be great if you can incorporate a wider phone holder on the left side (in place of the small ash tray), and retain the normal cup holder.

 

[Kai Hefner]

What do you mean by small curvature? Do you mean blending better with the back part of the console? Pic attached, sorry it’s messy.

I’ve been messing around a lot with the take in/out stuff. You might be able to see in some of the pics but they are just “sticks” kindof, holding it in. I’ve put bumps on these sticks for them to “snap in” well but I haven’t yet gotten the best height of the bumps for them to snap out easily. The other alternative is just to make it decently tight-fit and gravity holds it in there. Pic is attached of a zoom-in on one of the sticks, if you look closely enough you can see the bump on the right side but this one is too big.

I used to put my phone there too but I got this stick-on thing with a magnet for my dash. I just throw my phone on it and it holds there. I do like the slot for the phone though, that’s an easy incorporation. I could make a slot for it to slide and hold in but you likely wouldn’t be able to see much on it. Could make it a decent depth so that you could still see notifications. This is hard though considering phones are so many different sizes nowadays.

 

[Kryndon]

I illustrated what I'm talking about on your pic. Hope it makes sense this way. It's a minor thing, but it would make it look better and more "OEM"-like, following the default contours.

As far as not being able to see stuff on the phone; you're right. You have to turn your head too much down and to the right, which is dangerous. But then again, using the phone at all while driving is. I just find it to be a very convenient place to quickly drop my phone in. Otherwise I keep my small OBD2 reader in the ashtray. Actually, it would be so cool to install a secondary OBD2 port hidden in the ashtray, so when you want to log stuff with ECMlink you just connect the laptop plug there instead of the default spot.

 

[Kai Hefner]

Ah ok, makes much more sense. That’s something that I’m working on, a lot harder than it seems because of the flex of the part, the sticks tension, etc. but it will get dialed.

I actually like that OBD2 port idea but as-of-now I’m not sure if there would be products available for me to incorporate it into the design.

I do like the place just to store something like a phone so I’ll definitely incorporate it, likely into the switch panel one.

 

[ErikTande]

Awesome work!

 

[Bleakley]

Feel free to make something for the pocket below the radio as well. Valuable real estate I’ve often thought about utilizing.

Switch panel, gauges, a block that slides in and has a cup holder arm attachment that kicks over the passenger side, or an arm attachment that kicks over the passenger side for WHATEVER. I’ve thought of a few ideas. Again, valuable real estate to some. Especially OEM interior guys.

 

[Kai Hefner]

Feel free to make something for the pocket below the radio as well. Valuable real estate I’ve often thought about utilizing.

Do you mean this area with the pocket in this pic? I've definitely considered that but this part is exceptionally hard to take measurements for. Definitely a thought for the future.

 

[Bleakley]

Yes sir.
and you tell me what measurements are hard to come up with and I can probably help with that. Lol.

 

[Bleakley]

By the way, the body kit on toothless isn’t necessarily for me but that car looks noice! Very clean.

 

[Kai Hefner]

Thank you!
I'll put this thing on the list for stuff I want to do. It's easy for me to get the part and measure overall dimensions, the hard part is trying to measure curves, and changing tiny details to make sure it blends like OEM. That doesn't even consider how hard it is to measure the "snapping" points (the mounting snap things) of this part and even harder to replicate it. Especially because this part extends to the heat controls, it will be pretty difficult for me to get all of the mounting points + curves correct. I do have a list of much cooler stuff that I want to do so don't you worry.

 

[dsmcrzy]

Doing the whole hvac trim piece would be a lot. I have been playing with making an insert for the radio area and just about have those curves done. Working on the final test print now. This is sized for a 7 inch screen I am placing there but the external dimensions would all still hold. I would be happy to share the file with you Kai.

the mockups on the part were the first print to verify dimensions. The image at the bottom is more or less the finalized piece. My printer isn’t big enough so I have to split this in half to print it.

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[BLACK'98DSM]

Feel free to make something for the pocket below the radio as well. Valuable real estate I’ve often thought about utilizing.

We'd have to check on the market for something like that. Many people, including myself have cut that center strip out to put a touch screen radio unit in there. I'm not saying that there is no market for something like this, but you know how people are, always doing new modifications. And thos particular modifications kills that market.

Just something to think about!

 

[Bleakley]

No doubt. Thanks for that.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Doing the whole hvac trim piece would be a lot. I have been playing with making an insert for the radio area and just about have those curves done. Working on the final test print now. This is sized for a 7 inch screen I am placing there but the external dimensions would all still hold. I would be happy to share the file with you Kai.

the mockups on the part were the first print to verify dimensions. The image at the bottom is more or less the finalized piece. My printer isn’t big enough so I have to split this in half to print it.

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I guess I could have looked at this before I replied .
Here's what I rigged up:

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Sorry if you can't really see that, but my car is covered in contractor paper. There's only a quarter inch gap all around.

 

[DSM B]

This is a great idea! Your prototype looks great, especially if you incorporate the feedback recieved so far you can into the final design. Seriously nice work, I would take one.

 

[Kai Hefner]

Getting closer, still trying to dial in the back curve. I think I have 3/4 pop-in things really dialed in. Also printed it in this grey but I think I could find a color that is closer to our grey.

Anything else you guys see could use work?

 

[Bleakley]

F*** that looks good.

 

[rabenne]

Doing the whole hvac trim piece would be a lot. I have been playing with making an insert for the radio area and just about have those curves done. Working on the final test print now. This is sized for a 7 inch screen I am placing there but the external dimensions would all still hold. I would be happy to share the file with you Kai.

the mockups on the part were the first print to verify dimensions. The image at the bottom is more or less the finalized piece. My printer isn’t big enough so I have to split this in half to print it.

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Why not just use an 8" screen? It doesn't require any fascia trim...

 

[dsmcrzy]

Why not just use an 8" screen? It doesn't require any fascia trim...

couldn't find one the right size. Where did you get that one?

 

[rabenne]

pm for link

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Why not just use an 8" screen? It doesn't require any fascia trim...

That's freakin snooth man! I like that shift boot too

 

[Kai Hefner]

Finally made the 2x cup holder. Took too many prototypes to figure this stuff out. The cup holes are staggered like that because there isn't enough room to fit 3" cup holders side-by-side. I had to make the best use of the space, mostly because the cup holders can't hit the mounting sticks, the under-lip on the front-part of the console, or the lips on the sides. The cup holders are 3" at the top, and taper down a bit to around 2.75".

Try to ignore the wriggly-looking stuff at the back. I matched the curve as best as I could but forgot to put construction material to hold up the curve in the print. There was 0 construction material in this print so other things like the sides also have a few defects, but that will be cleared up in the finals.

The signature is also way too big and in-my-face so I'm likely going to throw it on one of the sides in smaller font.

I got the pop-in stuff pretty down at this point. The part seems robust enough that you can smash it down to go in just like the OEM unit. Pulling the part up is not difficult, and I think just a tad harder than the OEM thing. It seems pretty strong so I'm not too worried about anything snapping unless people get careless. I'm thinking I will leave the little pop-in bumps tight when I send them out, and if people want it looser to take out, they can just lightly sand down the pop-in bumps.

What are your guy's thoughts? Does the cup-layout look alright? Any big issues that I haven't mentioned?