DIY Portable Monitor Recycled From IPad 3

This guide will walk you through the process of building a portable monitor using an old LCD panel from an iPad 3.

• 9.7-inch LCD panel from an old iPad (iPad 3 used for this project)
• Compatible driver board, preferably with 5V USB power input
• Screws and screwdrivers

• Screws and screwdrivers
• USB C power cable
• Mini HDMI display cable

Machines used for this project:

• 3D printer and filaments
• used to make the 3D printed case
• Laser cutter for acrylic sheets
• used to make the front border and cover sheet

For this step, I removed the LCD from an old iPad 3 (with a cracked glass cover) to use as the LCD panel for the project. And for the driver board, I sourced a compatible one online for ~₱900.

I also sourced an HDMI to mini HDMI cable for this project, as the driver board includes a mini HDMI port.

To get the LCD to act as a monitor, you only have to connect the board to the LCD with a ribbon cable. Then connect the PCB to the computer with an HDMI cable. Now, the electronic part of the project is done.

To create an 3D printed case that could fit the components inside, I measured each component. You may also 3D model the components to create a more accurate 3D model of the case.

Shown are the 3D models of the LCD panel and the driver board, done in Shapr3D.

Based on the 3D models of the LCD panel and driver board, I created a case that the components could be mounted on. The case also has holes cut out, to accommodate the ports of the driver board.

Next, I created a sketch for the front panel of the project, also using Shapr3D. This sketch was then exported to a .svg file, then imported to Inkscape to export again to a .pdf file. The pdf file will later be used in the laser cutting software.

From Shapr3D, the 3D model of the case was exported to .stl and then sliced with Ultimaker Cura.

Then, the final 3D model was printed using a Creality Ender 3 printer, for ~4h 30m

For the monitor kickstand, I found a 3D printable file online of an in-place printable kickstand made for a Steam Deck. I then 3D printed it for ~2h.

Link of stand 3D model: https://www.printables.com/en/model/144176-foldable-kickstand-for-steam-deck-print-in-place/files

From the sketch made in Shapr3D, I made a border frame for the monitor, cut from a large acrylic sheet with a laser cutter.

I also cut out a clear cover panel for the LCD and attached it to the border acrylic piece.

Assembling all the components of the project: case, PCB, LCD, and front acrylic cover:

First, I aligned the PCB by lining up the ports of the board to the holes on the case then attacehd it with double sided tape and hot glue

Next, I connected the LCD to the board with the ribbon cable and laid the LCD flat on the case.

Then, I put the acrylic front panel on the case and screwed it in.

Lastly, I attached the kickstand using double sided tape.