I own a 3D printing business...want suggestions

[pendragn]

In other posts you all might have seen me saying that I just ordered a new 2013 128i Convertible...I am super excited about it, but am just at the start of my waiting period

NEvertheless, I want to get going on making it more unique. I own a 3D printing business where (among other things) I work with people to make 3D designs on the computer printable in real life. I want to do something(s) to the car when I get it, and want to see if you all have suggestions.

My own suggestions:

-custom awesome tablet/cell holder above the dash
-...or even dash replacement housing for the above
-custom shift knob of some sort

...but since I do not own the car yet, I don't really know what I might do. I will probably go down to the car dealer and think a bit more.

What all would you suggest...and remember, 3D printing "can" print in stainless steel/titanium, but those are far pricier....normal ABS plastic or nylon is the affordable/usable prototype material, then the fancier materials can come later if desired.

[TheSt|G]

If you could make some variety of fitted iPhone/iPad holder with a weighted base that fits into the tray in front of the shifter, that would be perfect.

[///Machiavelli]

Start/stop rings?

[gregthegr8]

I think one thing that might be of interest to people with navigation, and the ashtray instead of the storage compartment would be if there's some way of making a small tray that could clip into that cupholder clip and give us a place to put things like a cell phone and/or wallet/keys. Basically something akin to the storage tray, only it would use the cupholder clip slot and go there.

Hmm, I suppose another location would be if it slipped into the existing cupholder in the center console.

Other ideas might be drop in compartments/dividers that could be used in the 2 cubbies on each side of the trunk so things sit in there better and don't slide around when you drive. Most people I think have left side with no net and right side with a cargo net, but some of us for some reason have no cargo nets on either side. I'd like to be able to just keep some car cleaning supplies there like a couple of towels, glass cleaner, and detail spray, but they don't really stay put as currently set up.

Then, you could always do a bunch of other small things might be cool too, like custom 1-series related keychains or other lil things like that. Sky's the limit. Now I want a 3-D printer, too.

[pendragn]

They are coming down in price, but there are none outside of the very expensive range that will not require maintenance pretty frequently. They are great for the hacker community, but the technology needs a bit of time to mature before you can just hit "print" and a successful, beautiful print will come out every time.

These are all great ideas...the cupholder ideas are good, specifically because there are known objects that can be measured to get all of the connections right (and many times it takes a few iterations) since BMW has already made a connector that works. The tray idea is also good, and it is just either measuring or making a mold out of clay, etc. and then measuring the positive mold.

[Gray_Panther]

+1 for start/stop rings

Also, some type of seat belt holder so I don't have to reach 3 feet behind me to get the seat belt. I am sure many of us would be interested in one.

[Dafttt]

Print me an M3, thanks.

[iGot1]

you could always get one of these..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XEII26

although for $50 i'll just reach back, think of it as BMW yoga

[worries]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

If you could make some variety of fitted iPhone/iPad holder with a weighted base that fits into the tray in front of the shifter, that would be perfect.

+1

[Freon]

Aftermarket subwoofer install kit (mounting rings for a few popular brands) would be nice. I had actually considered it myself, but cost was a bit of a constraint since MDF is so cheap and easy to work with.

[infinitekidM2C]

bezels for tv screens/tablets where radio is

[JimD]

A model of our car would be nice to have, both to look at and to use to create a custom car image for a Garmin GPS (process involves lots of pictures at small variations of angles).

There is also a BMW retrofit for a in-dash cubby that goes right about where the BMW navigtion is. They put it in the European units but not U. S. cars. There is a thread in the electronics technical section about installing a tablet there. He used velcro. A nicer solution would involve a custom cover that would hold the tablet. Might be a small market though.

Another idea for the cubby would be a small cubby to replace the ash tray. I like having the cigarette lighter for use for power but the ash tray is not a great cubby.

[IEDEI]

1M fenders on the cheap? lol

[vertebra]

The first year of production the car came equipped with a specially engraved Start/Stop button with the inscription: “Year One of the 1�. How about "The Last One of the 1".


Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

[pendragn]

Another awesome idea, and that one is super easy to do....hmmm...I wonder if the dealer might have a spare ring lying around I could measure....

[tapout2taxes]

Originally Posted by vertebra

The first year of production the car came equipped with a specially engraved Start/Stop button with the inscription: “Year One of the 1�. How about "The Last One of the 1".


Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

Originally Posted by pendragn

Another awesome idea, and that one is super easy to do....hmmm...I wonder if the dealer might have a spare ring lying around I could measure....

Holy crap I love this idea! When I went to the dealer to talk about buying the part they would only sell the complete start/stop assembly. However, it is supposed to be really easy to pull out the button then pop off the ring. I've been considering wrapping the ring, the door handles and the shifter assembly for about a month now but this would be so much better. I hate seeing the grey in the reflection of my window!

[ronssito]

seatbelt chime defeat plug in bypass thing

[MuNkY6913]

+100 on the start stop ring. I painted mine the same color as the car. Thinking about putting the ///N54 logo across the top. Cutting it out of paper and putting it under clear coat. If you could print that on it, raised or indented, I would pay.

[whostorm05]

A radar detector mount which doesn't hang under the mirror but to either side. Getting tired of suction cups.

[MuNkY6913]

Engine cover? Or is that too big?

[Fifty3bags]

+1 on the start/stop ring. If you could raise/emboss something custom on there it'd be pretty awesome and I'd pay. Those wouldn't use alot of material either.

From what I've read its really easy to just pop it off. Couldn't you just pull yours off for a few hours to measure it? MuNkY6913 could probably give some pointers since he's had his off already to paint it.

[RimasRS]

For center left vent, make 60mm boost gauge pod/holder something like this...