Cardboard Laptop Stand With Cooling Fan

Some time ago, I realized that I needed a laptop stand because I was using an additional screen with my laptop. It became quite uncomfortable using the laptop without a stand. So, I tried to purchase a laptop stand from a computer accessories store nearby and the price was relatively outrageous for me – about ₦25,000 equivalent to approximately 53 USD today. There and then, I decided to make mine.

Materials:

1. Cardboard (carton)

2. Ruler and measuring tape

3. Box cutter

4. Scissors

5. Set squares

6. Marker and pen

7. Hot glue gun and stick

8. Power supply or CPU cooling fan

9. Blank A4 paper

10. Calculator

11. 12v power supply

12. Popsicle sticks

The first step is to get your laptop dimensions, particularly the width and the length as shown in figure 1a. Also, measure the thickness of the laptop. The thickness will also be relevant at a later point.

From the width and length values, calculate the value of the diagonals using the Pythagoras theorem as shown in figure 2a. The diagonal values represent the optimal resting of the laptop on the stand.

(NB: Figure naming is by the order of upload and priview)

From the length and width values, decide on how you want the laptop to rest on the stand and calculate the diagonal values for your desired state. In my case, I wanted about 2.5 cm on both sides of the laptop when it rests on the stand. So, I ended up with a new diagonal of 27.7 cm as shown in figure 2b. Due to the small size of the cardboard I used, I ended up with about 5 cm on both sides as shown in figure 2c.

Then, decide on the height of the stand. Use your desired height and diagonal to calculate the length of the base. You will notice that the more the height, the shorter the base length as shown in figure 2d. Once you decide on the height and the diagonal, use Pythagoras theorem to calculate the base length as shown in figure 2d.

Also, add some extra spaces to accommodate the height of the base from the resting surface as well as the part that will hold the laptop in place as shown in figure 2e.

Draw the shape that you have in figure 2e on the cardboard as shown in figure 3a. Then cut out the shape from the cardboard. You should get results like those in figure 3b and 3c.

A brace is needed to add extra strength to the whole structure, strength like that of the mechanical structure called TRUSS.

Take measurements and calculate brace dimensions as shown in figure 4a and 4b. In my case, the value of l1 plus additional space was 24.5 cm and h1 plus additional space was 20 cm. Draw the brace on a cardboard and cut it out of the cardboard.

The brace needs to slot into the main stand for additional support. So, cut out slots into the two parts at the predetermined locations in figure 4a and 4b, with a width equal to your cardboard width. This is shown in figure 5a and 5b. Decide on the length of the cut on each side as it is best comfortable for you. In my case, for the length, I used 3 cm on one side and 3.7 cm on the other side as this was easier than 3.35 cm in two places (two halves). Then fit the two parts together as shown in figure 5c and 5d. Figure 5e shows the laptop on the stand.

The cooling fan could be attached in two ways: the fan could rest on support or be attached to the body of the stand with hot glue. I used both in my case. You could use a popsicle stick to support the cooling fan by making holes on both sides of the stand as shown in figure 6a and 6b. Then fix the popsicle sticks into the holes and place the fan on the sticks as shown in figure 6c and 6d.

You can further by holding the fan to the body of the stand using hot glue as shown in figure 6e, 6f and 6g. Also, cut out a small slot on the side of the stand for the cooling fan wires to pass through as shown in figure 6h, 6i and 6j.

Connect the fan to the power supply to power it and then place the laptop on the stand for testing. Figure 7a, 7b and 7c show the power supply, the results and the testing scenario. Also, the video attached shows the fan in action.