clip-openscad

OpenSCAD parametric CAD models for clips. For the clip STLs in mirror-clip, they go through FreeCAD for filleting before release.

The public repo is called mirror-clip.

Folder Overview

• Components: Generic functions used by all clips
• Dimensions: Dimensions specific to each clip, these are pulled from Apple's Accessory Design Guidelines
• Archive: what it sounds like, ignore

Adding a new clip

1. Copy and paste a phone dimensions .scad and rename, for example, copy and paste xs-dimensions.scad and rename to thirteen-dimensions.scad
2. Open up your new file and rename the prefixes throughout the file, in this case update xs__ to thirteen__. Don't use numerals.
3. Open clip-general.scad and make sure to include your new file, for example: include <dimensions/thirteen-dimensions.scad>;
4. In clip-general.scad , Copy and paste a translate block and then rename all the variables with your new prefix. Don't update variables that do not have a prefix (clip_length, cutout_width, cutout_length).
5. Comment out all versions you don't want to render by using //
6. Open clip-general.scad in OpenSCAD and run Design -> Preview.
7. You should see your clip.
8. To see it on the phone, open components/assembly.scad and then uncomment the phone() at the bottom.

Critical Dimensions to gather from the Accessory Design Guidelines

All in mm. It can be a bit tricky to read these from the CAD diagrams.

Device

1. Device length
2. Device width
3. Device thickness
4. Set --__rounded_corners to true for iPhones, false for iPads

Camera bump

1. Bump width
2. Bump length
3. Bump thickness

TrueDepth Placement

1. Trudepth offset: likely just leave this at 0

All other dimensions are generated for you. As you can see there are a fair number of "magic numbers" from experimetation.

Testing your clip

The clip is designed to be not too loose and not too tight. This means that tolerances are very stringent and we expect some experimentation/iteration to be required to dial it in. Even variability within a printing method can be troublesome and needs to be accounted for. For example, you may print 10 of the same clip with the same printing method - some may be some fit great, and some be too tight. If some are also too loose, then I would suggest calibrating your 3D printer or considering another method.

There is no way to release a clip without printing it and testing it. Given how variable FDM is, we do not suggest using it for a part that requires these tolerances.

Releasing a clip

**This section is incomplete, been a while since I did this. ** Once you have dialed in the dimensions that work well for the device and printing method. You then need to make it prettier.

1. Export your OpenSCAD design as a CSG (make sure only the clip you want is visible)
2. Import the CSG file you saved into FreeCAD
3. Add fillets where you want them
4. Save it as a STEP (which preveres the Brep geometry) and as a STL

Contributing

• Please use a new PR for each clip.
• Include a CSG, STEP, and STL in their relative folders. (new guideline, so you won't see historicals in here right now)
• Merge into master once the dimensions have been physically verified with an appropriate printing method on a small batch of clips (5-10). This way we also avoid "verisoning" clips (eg let's avoid 11pro-v5.stl, etc)

Current clips

• ✅ iPhone X - Verified on HP MJF (this clip was designed via another method and is not in this repo)
• ✅ iPhone Xr - Verified on HP MJF
• ✅ iPhone Xs - Verified on HP MJF
• ✅ iPhone Xs Max - Verified on HP MJF
• ✅ iPad Pro (2018) - Verified on HP MJF
• ❌ iPhone 11
• ❌ iPhone 11 Pro
• ❌ iPhone 11 Pro Max

License

This repo is released under the MIT license