T6 3D Printed Top Dash Tray with Lids

[mrMike]

A year ago or so I decided not to buy the T6 VanX top dash tray Lid as I don't like it, I didn't fancy an entire comfort dash swap just yet for a tradesman van
(end of working life it will be converted to a camper)

So plumped up here and said i would design something for it that could be printed!

Then my business, work and home life went mental for the last 12 months.
I finally got a break this last couple weeks or so and finishing all my tick lists for the van before the end the year has become achievable, sport line bumper, lowering it, etc
and this dash tray!! Im very close to finishing this project.

As there has been an awful lot of time gone into this and imo starting to look very decent I thought it warranted its own thread.
first id like to mention Dan Harding If you are here, thanks for your original cup holder design, It has helped me a fair bit along the way with this and the form inside this difficult space in the dash.

So I will on the 3D forums make this a payable model. It will only be a small contribution ask, but for this Community I will if DM send on to you the STL and Gcode files to print this for free!
(that said i have probably lost 90% of those that would buy it! so feel free to buy instead if you want to make a small contribution to a hobbyist designer who's spent a long time on perfecting this!)

I am still finalising the hinges as I want them to be printable as well so it will be a glued final attachment to the lids and boxes. and then they may need a grip catch but has proved impossible with CF PETG due to matt finish and .5 nozzles and not enough tolerance gap for movement!! So are re trying today with standard PETG and .3 nozzle .2 layers

Once the last snaggs are sorted i will make it available so its "work in progress for just a few more days"

only pic missing is open on hinges...... to follow very soon!

Print info is

IMEA CF PETG (milled CF not strand) available on amazon pretty good dash plastic match)
.5 SS nozzle
.3 layer
237'c head
80'c bed
45-50mm P speed
3d Lac adhesion
brim for boxes
skirt for lids
15-17 hrs each box
5-6 hrs each lid
8 mins pegs
50 mins 4 hinges
40+ hrs total print time

I wont be offering these printed for sale I wont have the time, some wont like the price! (no concept of this and its make up)

Mike

 

[SlothBurger]

That is very cool. Lots of thought and hours gone into it. Well done. I was just thinking of this the weekend when I could barely fit a few things into the existing cubby there on my Kombi. I was thinking to making a lid that is not flush with the top of the dash so more fits into it.

 

[mrMike]

So i have a finished product, and i'm bowled over at how well its final incarnation has turned out. truely have surprised myself!!

I had to give up on printed hinges as to difficult to get the small size with strength and movement i needed so opted for these

Amazon.co.uk

Its men't i had to redesign the boxes and lids and reprint so another 45 hrs of time

gave me the opportunity to add a wedge to the lid insert and invert to boxes thus has created a grip and hold catch, and it works amazingly, if hinges are glued correctly!

tomorrow is fitting time!

 

[mrMike]

Final fitment, I bought some jewelry box felt baize and lined them, one of them will have coins and rad bleed keys etc in them my reason for making this in the first place.
im 99% happy with this design but as always with me, keep looking to see what can be bettered or improved.
i will eventually redesign a few bits, the lids to sit flush with the front of the hole and design a hinge cover into the boxes so they cant be seen from the screen looking in.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I think that this tool is amazing and has a lot of potential. I have no doubt it will develop over the years. For me i think that I have let the electronic computer tech pass me by. I don't have a smart phone for example i only carry a switched off tiny phone in a metal box for emergency use only or a prearranged call, I never text, I don't even like chatting on the phone or even know what occupies others on it. So vehicle diagnostics or learning new tricks with computer aided design will unfortunately for me pass me by which is a pity because it looks fun and useful. Oh well keep it up, it looks good!

 

[mrMike]

I think that this tool is amazing and has a lot of potential. I have no doubt it will develop over the years. For me i think that I have let the electronic computer tech pass me by. I don't have a smart phone for example i only carry a switched off tiny phone in a metal box for emergency use only or a prearranged call, I never text, I don't even like chatting on the phone or even know what occupies others on it. So vehicle diagnostics or learning new tricks with computer aided design will unfortunately for me pass me by which is a pity because it looks fun and useful. Oh well keep it up, it looks good!

thanks fella, a 3d printer in the right hands is a wonderful tool, my house is full of things I've designed and made to do things you could never buy!
im 51 I didnt let tech pass me by over the years even though I've never worked in the industry, I've self taught myself how to basic code, adobe suites, Ai , dreamweaver etc,
so built and maintain my own websites etc
i build hardline water cooled PC's for friends and friends of in my spare time to.
i say your never to old to learn a new trick!

 

[Frigo110]

If that ever becomes something you want to sell put me in the list.

 

[mrMike]

If that ever becomes something you want to sell put me in the list.

Thanks Frigo, i will take that as a compliment that you would happily put this in your van,
the reality of 45-50 hrs to print all the bits for this and the time to sit and build it to work and look good its not viable tbh.
But should i ever find myself at home unable to work god forbid!
then it maybe something id consider, along with other side lines to make a bob or 2!
if you have a friend thats into 3d printing but doesnt drive a transporter im happy to send you on all the files to get them to print for you

 

[icn05]

Thanks Frigo, i will take that as a compliment that you would happily put this in your van,
the reality of 45-50 hrs to print all the bits for this and the time to sit and build it to work and look good its not viable tbh.
But should i ever find myself at home unable to work god forbid!
then it maybe something id consider, along with other side lines to make a bob or 2!
if you have a friend thats into 3d printing but doesnt drive a transporter im happy to send you on all the files to get them to print for you

My father in law has a 3D printer if you wouldn’t mind sharing! They look great!

 

[mrMike]

My father in law has a 3D printer if you wouldn’t mind sharing! They look great!

send me your email addy in a dm ill send you a zip folder with all the files in and do post some pics if you get round to it

 

[T6Jay]

These look great, well done with the design.

Anyone can buy a 3D printer and print stuff, but making it look good and fit well is an art and a science, then getting the printer set up properly is a job for a magician

 

[icn05]

send me your email addy in a dm ill send you a zip folder with all the files in and do post some pics if you get round to it

Here’s my attempt - not as good as yours @mrMike as there’s a slight alignment issue with one of the hinges but still usable for storing bits n bobs that usually rattle around the door pockets!

Thanks again for sending the print files

 

[mrMike]

Nice one fella, mine took quite alot of fettling to, they are a bit fiddly but they look great im glad they all printed for you ok,
I fooked my back 3 weeks before xmas, i had to take time off, I couldnt do nothing but sit at my desk, I've since taught myslef how to competently use freecad in that time,

So I will be looking to make a new version of this at some point, as now i can use Freecad I can refine it to the upmost detail.

I will keep this posted and let you know when i get round to it send on a new one

just an example of something I've redesigned from scratch in freecad attached

 

[icn05]

Nice one fella, mine took quite alot of fettling to, they are a bit fiddly but they look great im glad they all printed for you ok,
I fooked my back 3 weeks before xmas, i had to take time off, I couldnt do nothing but sit at my desk, I've since taught myslef how to competently use freecad in that time,

So I will be looking to make a new version of this at some point, as now i can use Freecad I can refine it to the upmost detail.

I will keep this posted and let you know when i get round to it send on a new one

just an example of something I've redesigned from scratch in freecad attached

View attachment 269558

Sorry to hear about the back, a long time sufferer myself. Hope you’re on the mend now.

Sounds like every cloud has a silver lining though with your new found skills!!

Just been away for a few nights, the boxes were well used for those little items you always forget where you put them..not any more!

 

[samsonite]

These look awesome, is it possible to also get a copy of the files to print?

 

[JOG]

So i have a finished product, and i'm bowled over at how well its final incarnation has turned out. truely have surprised myself!!

I had to give up on printed hinges as to difficult to get the small size with strength and movement i needed so opted for these

Amazon.co.uk

Its men't i had to redesign the boxes and lids and reprint so another 45 hrs of time

gave me the opportunity to add a wedge to the lid insert and invert to boxes thus has created a grip and hold catch, and it works amazingly, if hinges are glued correctly!

tomorrow is fitting time!

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This is a cracking piece of work. Bought older boy (12) a 3D printer for Xmas and he’s in the middle of setting it up right now!

I may ping you for the files when he’s got the hang of it!

Well done @mrMike