12 x USB Flash Drive Holder
I was approached by Ping-IT, the same company that I had to design the SSD 2.5" - 3.5" Adapter Bracket. They requested that I must design a USB Holder for them. It must hold a minimum of 10 USB Flash Drives, their logo must appear somewhere as well. The holders will be given to the staff and it will be used in the workshop. They are going to 3D Print the holders, just like the SSD Bracket.
References
I searched for some ideas and send them to the CEO so that he can say which look does he like. He decided that he likes the look of the 1st and 3rd image. The 2nd and 4th image looks to "common"
Design & Measurements
I have no idea who designed the reference image, if I knew who the brains was I would give a shout out. It is a beautiful and simplistic design. I fell in love with the concept. I was planning to use the main idea but do some changes. Some of them was to add some extra height for the logo and the original was a little too steep for my liking so I wanted it to be more straight, like a 15 degree angle.
This will be the 2nd model that will be 3D printed, however, it will be the 1st to be size specific. Too small port holes and the sticks won't fit, too large and they will fall out. The CEO also assisted me by sending a .stl file which have multiple USB port measurements and told me which one was the one they wish to use.
I redrew the holder mainly to work out the right measurements and to show the CEO the idea and have him see what it will look like, maybe give some recommendations or extra requirements (this was when he told me about the wall mounting, that's why the design below was still looking like the reference image). I was not going to redraw the image, I was going to implement the changes while modelling.
He liked it and gave the go-ahead.
Modelling
The reference image I used had some circuitry design happening on the side and I decided use use the same idea but instead of a flat surface, I "engraved" it on the sides. I was worried that the printer will mess it up due to the size, so I made the groves bigger.
I made the backside flat and I also made a "hole" or small container area above the holder so that the caps of the USB Flash Drives can stay in there. I left enough space for small labels that will be printed with the name of each memory stick.
Technicians always have a bunch of sticks and the time they waste looking for the right one is is a waste. Trust me, I know, I am living with one :).
Printed Results
I did a test print of the holder and noticed that it was not necessary for the side to be that much. It took long to print and it was using a unnecessary large amount of filament, so I made it thinner. These pictures were taken after the new thin one was printed. The Memory Sticks all fitted and they wont fall out if you move the holder around or even flip it around. I painted the logo black so that it is more visible. The printer can only use one colour filament at a time. I also put a pen in 2 of the pictures to give a more realistic size comparison seeing as some memory sticks come in all shape and sizes.
Render
Sorry for the strange render. It looks sparkly...which was not my intention. I was playing around with my materials and lighting. I decided to keep it simple.
