The problem

I like using my digital stylus to write on my laptop for taking digital notes.

In principle, my laptop has quite a neat magnetic mechanism to hold the stylus. Unfortunately, this mechanism fails when storing my laptop in my backpack.

The solution

Instead of relying on the magnetic mechanism of my laptop, I will store the stylus in a custom case that I put in my backpack separately.

For that purpose, I designed a 3D printed case with an integrated thread, an attachment hole and stylus stand using FreeCAD. This is a Blender render of the 3D model:

Render of the 3D model. Left panel shows the main body and right panel shows the top cap. The colours are merely for visual guidance.

This is the final product:

Picture of the final product. Left panel shows the main body and right panel shows the top cap that also features a stylus stand. I printed the model in green PLA.

The case is super sturdy and the integrated 3D printed thread is very practical! The printed model has served me well so far and I use it every day!

Attention: Download the CAD file shown in the first figure in form of a STEP file by clicking here!

Conclusions

I have used this case daily for the last few months, so that I am happy to confirm that 3D printing has proven itself to be very useful for a niche problem yet another time!

Another example of such a solution for a niche problem is my 3D printed bike lock mount 🚲, where I mounted a lock to my bike using 3D printing!

Acknowledgements

Thanks a lot to University of Edinburgh’s uCreateStudio for letting me use their printers!