Feb 4, 2016 | By Benedict
Let’s face it, people won’t stop buying iPhones and iPads anytime soon. For various personal and professional reasons, portable tech is virtually indispensable in the modern age, and you’d be hard pressed to find a smartphone-free adult on your local high street. However, universal dependence on the technology certainly doesn’t entail universal satisfaction. With a wide, detailed screen now the beau ideal for portable electronic devices, handsets are getting bigger and bigger. With this expansion comes clear advantages in terms of video playback, multitasking and tapping accuracy, but an even more obvious drawback: How are you supposed to hold the thing?
Fed up with cumbersome yet skinny tablets which are difficult to hold and which need propping up with separate stands, New York-based Devansh Shah was inspired to create Tabulate, a pragmatic smartphone and tablet case aimed at travelers, gamers, readers and everyone else fed up with the ergonomic recklessness of major electronics manufacturers. “Tabulate snaps on to your device, instantly making it much more comfortable to use and versatile enough to mount almost anywhere,” Shah explained on his product’s Indiegogo campaign page.
So what differentiates Tabulate from the thousands of official and unofficial tech cases on the market? One important reason is its manufacturing process. The body of each Tabulate case is 3D printed, and Shah is even selling the 3D printing files themselves so that customers can 3D print their cases locally. Because of the additive manufacturing process used to produce each Tabulate case, users are offered a wide range of color and design options. Shah hasn’t had to order thousands of factory-produced items, and can instead print his products on demand.
Another unique feature of Tabulate is its range of 3D printed attachments, which include a stand, hook and wall mount. These simple accessories allow users to use their tablets in a range of situations. Walls, shutters, desks, fences… Tablets can now be mounted anywhere and everywhere, so the days of jamming your iPad between two books will be long gone. As is clear, Shah has completely prioritized ergonomics and functionality in his 3D printed product. A cross-stitch pattern on the back of the case allows users to securely stick their fingers under fabric-like bands to avoid slips and drops.
These bands also come in handy for other reasons: Tabulate users can stick pens, cables and other bits and bobs within the bands of the cross-stitch pattern, keeping all essentials is one handy place. Tabulate thus functions as a smartphone or tablet case and personal organizer in one. Backers of the Tabulate Indiegogo campaign can secure their own case for as little as $15, with a range of more comprehensive options also available. Backers can expect their physical Tabulate cases by April 2016, or can opt to download the STL files for immediate 3D printing. The flexible goal campaign will run until early March, with backers receiving their orders regardless of whether Shah’s $15,000 target is met.
The 3D printed Tabulate case is currently available for iPad Mini 2 and 3, iPad Air 1 and 2, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Nexus 9, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 6, and Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter
Sweeet. Got me one.
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
