Portable Desk: Rabaconda Race Case

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

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I would just like to thank GrabCad and Rabaconda racing for the first place prize for this challenge. It was a dream project to work on. It looks like this design will become a reality.

I've removed the files for now for IP reasons. I Might put up a an .stl in the future. Stay tuned for more progress updates on the project.

Thanks again.
Jon-
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Final update:

I've finished uploading my presentation slides and model. The slides should be fairly self explanatory. They are mostly large panels, 8K pixels so downloading and viewing them full size is a must. I've also answered some questions in the comments section which should be worth a read.

I'm very satisfied with this preliminary presentation, I feel that it offers a good foundation with which to move forward. I am going to leave the costing out as there isn't time in a month to get detailed figures on costs but I tried to design it for the 80$ mark, realistically it's probably in the 80-150$ mark but I feel a case of this quality could easily be sold @ the 299-349$ price point.

Some after thoughts:

I think that having some sort of small ledge integrated into the panels would be a plus, perhaps they could be indented to help screws and parts from rolling off.

I also think it might have been useful to incorporate adjustable leg lengths, to allow the work surface to be leveled off on very uneven terrain. of course these things would cost more so there's a trade off.

The rear support bracket, the thing that folds down to support the lid can probably also be minimized also....I'm thinking now just two .25OD bar stock attachments can be used to save weight and cost....experimentation needed ).

I should also thank the GC community for all the spare models I was able to use in my prop scenes. I've used too many to list, if you see your model in the prop shots, let me know.




Updated:Wed, May 1, 2014

Key features finished, Model uploaded.........

Update:Wed, April 30, 2014

I've added the Key features section. Still have one or two slides left on key features and a slide on manufacturing. Hopefully things should be clear enough to understand....from slide 9 on, they are all, 8500x5400px display boards so if things look small, just download the slides and display and expand them on a large screen to catch all the details. Will upload the model soon. Stay tuned.


update: Fri April 25, 2014

Added overall dimensions slide and assembly walk through instructions showing some of the detailing of the model........still more to come. It's called Race Case, double R, not ace case, in case there is confusion.

Finished 95% of the model, always more that can be done but deadlines are deadlines. Very satisfied with this first draft, a good solid model to start with, a lot learned. Will be slowly uploading final presentation slides containing key features, and some notes on manufacturing. throughout the week......stay tuned.

update: Saturday April 19, 2014

I've uploaded my preliminary presentation slides. Please follow the correct slide order(indicated bottom left). The next series of slides will be product presentation.


Update: Friday April 18, 2014

I've made a lot of progress since the last update and the model is coming along nicely. The transition from concept to solid model is going well, dealing with tricky design, engineering and architectural challenges as they arise. I've added 3 more "Midterm" progress renderings that show in better detail the design intent. Stay tuned for the finished proposal.........

Update: Friday April 11, 2014...
Along with my sketches I've managed to work on a concept for the legs, I struggled with this and just didn't feel good about what I was coming up with, either too expensive, too complicated etc. I came up with a simple short thread socket type design, super simple, super sturdy, super wide stance, I really really love it, to me it's the perfect blend of simplicity and strength and convenience. I would say the only downside is the fact that it's not "presto" ready with one motion but I've tried designs like that and I just feel, way too complicated....Let me know what you think..........

tubing is super light aluminum, straight extrusion, super cheap with thread cut into one end, rubber molded cap goes on the feet and a small ring is machine welded for the tent spikes....Feeling alot better about it, more confident to move into the case design )))

stay tuned.....and let me know how you feel about it!
I went with custom legs as opposed to a wholesale bulk order leg because I realized how expensive it is to order a set of folding legs. This will be much cheaper, at least in the long run.

I feel the leg designs with many of the submissions are a weak point, there needs to be a wide enough stance for good balance, otherwise there's not point. No one seems to be addressing this issue. I was inspired by David Pedersons leg design along with a few others.....
Ofcourse there is only a set number of ways to design and configure legs, but if you use something similar or were inspired by my design, don't forget to mention it. Otherwise I'll send my crack team of lawyers after you for IP infringement!!!! Muhuhahahaha.