Elephant IPad Stand

Here's a little twist on a regular iPad stand. Forget bulky iPad stands, this small (and cute) iPad stand is portable, lightweight, and an awesome alternative to the big and expensive iPad stands that you may find elsewhere. This little iPad stand can easily be slipped into a backpack for a long roadtrip, or used to watch your favorite movies at home! Let's get started.

Materials:

3D printing filament

Tools:

3D printer

Software:

Tinkercad

Slicing software

I started off by designing the stand in Tinkercad. I used the scribble tool to draw the shape of the elephant, and then resized it to be able to hold an iPad. I then flattened out the feet of the elephant so that it could easily stand upright. Instead of designing the entire stand yourself, you may also want to download the .stl file below to 3D print.

Upload the .stl file into your 3D printer's specific slicing software. Make sure that you have selected the filament type that you will be using. Next, slice the 3D model. Slicing quite literally slices the model into thin horizontal layers that the 3D printer can print. After slicing the 3D model, plug the flash drive into the printer. Select the file that you would like it to 3D print, and then begin the print. For my 3D printer, the print took 3 hours and 3 minutes, though different print settings and 3D printers may print at different speed and detail levels.

Remove the iPad stand from the 3D printer bed, and slot your iPad in as shown above. despite it's small size, this stand is actually extremely stable, as well as inexpensive to make.

Here are a few other iPad stands to 3D print that you might be interested in. I have an inchworm and a whale iPad stand that you are welcome to download below.

Hopefully you found this Instructables helpful, and have fun!