3D printing a place to hang my backpack
Tuesday, January 11, 2022Finally got around to getting myself a nice backpack for everyday use. Having spend some money on this nice new backpack, I don't want to just throw it on the ground when I get home from work. So, the only solution to that problem was to design, model, print, and hang a 3D printed holder for it.
![A backpack handle being measured by a digital caliper](/media/da1phywo/2022-01-10-19-44-51.jpg?rmode=pad&width=696&height=0&v=1d99b1286d43fdc)
I started out by taking the relevant measurements using the digital calipers my parents got me for christmas. All of the measurements on the backpack itself was just to use as a guideline, and not the actual final measurements.
![A backpack handle being measured by a digital caliper](/media/vfgpwh5m/2022-01-10-16-50-19.jpg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=512&v=1d99b12a58dc326)
![A handle on a backpack being measured using a caliper](/media/disljmg5/2022-01-10-16-50-54.jpg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=407&v=1d99b12b63ea4ba)
Then, I measured the dimensions of the screws I was going to use. I needed three measurements, so I could get the correct size for the countersink holes that would be a part of the design.
![A screw diameter being measured with a caliper.](/media/hg4f3lrn/2022-01-10-16-53-53.jpeg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=464&v=1d99b12cc30a00c)
![Measuring the diameter of the screw with the thread.](/media/hjtncixo/2022-01-10-16-54-08.jpeg?rmode=pad&width=639&height=402&v=1d99b12db9a83be)
![A screw head being measured with a caliper.](/media/ir4bbd3l/2022-01-10-16-55-10.jpeg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=508&v=1d99b12ee764b08)
With all the measurements, I was ready to jump into Autodesk Fusion 360. In the past, I have been using Tinkercad, but for more complex designs, and pretty much all other designs, Fusion 360 is way faster to work with, when you get to know the basics. I still only know a very small part of Fusion 360, but it's enough to get me around, and to hack up the designs I need.
I started out by making a sketch, looking at the design from the front. Added in the holes for the screws. Then, it was just a matter of extruding that sketch, adding another sketch onto the extruded face, and then designing the rest. I used the awesome Loft tool to make the countersink by connecting two sketches on different faces. For the ribs, I tried out the Rib tool, but after a bit of trial and error, I ended up just creating a 3D sketch and extruding it to the sides.
![CAD sketch for a part of a backpack handle](/media/cpnoomvu/skaermbillede-2022-01-10-kl-171845.png?rmode=pad&width=638&height=214&v=1d99b13090431ba)
![Extruded 3D model and sketch of a backpack handle](/media/455nfrzb/skaermbillede-2022-01-10-kl-174348.png?rmode=pad&width=640&height=318&v=1d99b131745dfee)
![3D CAD model of a backpack holder](/media/wybiy5df/skaermbillede-2022-01-10-kl-174823.png?rmode=pad&width=640&height=318&v=1d99b13264a5be6)
When the design in Fusion 360 was done, I exported it as a .stl file and sliced it with PrusaSlicer. I used the 0.2mm quality setting with 80% infill and a brim.
![Sliced 3D model for 3D printing](/media/kqufrkby/skaermbillede-2022-01-10-kl-175303.png?rmode=pad&width=639&height=456&v=1d99b1340ac3f72)
The GCODE was copied to an SD card and the print was started on my Anycubic Vyper. I was going to print it in light grey, but the spool of light grey PLA that I have, is acting a bit up. I am having a hard time getting it to stick to the bed. So me being very impatient, I changed to my spool of black PLA that I have never had any issues with. And the print ended up pretty nice. It printed in a little over an hour.
![3D printed backpack holder](/media/bxygaoyp/2022-01-10-19-38-40.jpeg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=420&v=1d99b135fbd5770)
![3D printed backpack holder](/media/wucjrsxx/2022-01-10-19-38-44.jpeg?rmode=pad&width=640&height=474&v=1d99b137243fa20)
So, that's it. From unboxing the backpack, to hanging the handle on the wall, the whole process took me around 2-3 hours. Damn I love 3D printing. It's such a powerful tool to have at your disposal. I have used it many time now, to design small improvements to my apartment. More on that will come later.
Have a good one!