A Custom 3-D Printed Phone Mount for the Mach-E

[MachDoc]

For my past few cars, I have become accustomed to using a magnetic cell phone mount. I prefer the Natomount:

Natomount

Unfortunately, there is no way to get this thing to fit in the MME. I tried various holders from Amazon but wasn’t happy with any of them. I wanted one that would connect to the back of the large display and have the phone at the level of the display. My first plan was to take a commercial product or 2 and cut and glue different ones together.


I decided to create one but wanted it to use the Natomount magnet. This is what their base looks like without the washer and magnet:

A friend suggested 3-D printing a mount. Our public library has a 3D printer and charges very little to use it.

I wanted to invest as little as possible so I used an online CAD app called TinkerCAD. It took a few days to figure out but I eventually came up with a Triangular design that:

1. Had the same size ball as the Natomount so the magnet would connect, and
2. Supported the weight of my monster phone.

This is the CAD version:

This is the 3-D printed version:

The final product was printed first in PLA plastic. This melted into a blob on the first sweltering day. My subsequent designs were then printed with ABS plastic and seem to withstand the heat very well.

The wide base is taped to the back of the display using 3M Permanent Double Sided Extremely Strong Mounting tape just like the Natomount devices do. This can be obtained at HD or Lowes. You will have to purchase a Natomount to get their magnet and screw attachment. A thin piece of metal sticks to the inside of your phone case. Be aware, on many phones the metal sticker will prevent wireless charging (not a concern for me).

The final result:

If people show interest, I will post the .OBJ or .STL files for you to print your own.


Jeff

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I can see I need to catch up on the reality of how some mods are just done now. Otherwise, I’m going to be the Sandy Munro character yelling, “Get off my grass!”

this is way cool.

 

[MachDoc]

I can see I need to catch up on the reality of how some mods are just done now. Otherwise, I’m going to be the Sandy Munro character yelling, “Get off my grass!”

this is way cool.

Thanks.
J

 

[Rebelchopper]

@MachDoc Would you please share the STL? I'm just now seeing this!

 

[MachDoc]

@MachDoc Would you please share the STL? I'm just now seeing this!

I PM'ed you the file. Good luck. Reach out if you have any questions

 

[TheQ42]

Any chance you could throw the STL up on Thingiverse? I think getting the file out there (and starting a broader Mach-E community there) would be great

Nice work!

You could also try PETG--some variants of that material hold up well in the heat, but I'm not sure it'd be rigid enough . . .

 

[MachDoc]

The ABS material has held up beautifully in heat and cold.

 

[alockbox]

I would love this file. I have a MagSafe charging mount that looks extremely similar to yours I’d love to use but couldn’t mount it. I was going to work on something similar since I have a 3D printer.

There are a few on Amazon like the Spigen OneTap but not ideal.

 

[MachDoc]

I would love this file. I have a MagSafe charging mount that looks extremely similar to yours I’d love to use but couldn’t mount it. I was going to work on something similar since I have a 3D printer.

There are a few on Amazon like the Spigen OneTap but not ideal.

I would love this file. I have a MagSafe charging mount that looks extremely similar to yours I’d love to use but couldn’t mount it. I was going to work on something similar since I have a 3D printer.

There are a few on Amazon like the Spigen OneTap but not ideal.

I PM'ed you the file. Good luck. Reach out if you have any questions

 

[rodhx]

I too would love to get the file please. Got a road trip coming up in a few weeks and it would be great to be able to use both screens.

 

[MachDoc]

I too would love to get the file please. Got a road trip coming up in a few weeks and it would be great to be able to use both screens.

Done, let me know if you have issues.

 

[YoTech]

Please send to me too

 

[MachDoc]

Please send to me too

Done, reach out if you have issues

 

[Flux]

@MachDoc Would you be so kind to send me the files too?

 

[peterlhansen]

I wanted MagSafe charging, so I used the Spigen OneTap for the display-mounted ball mount, to which I attached an ESR HaloLock MagSafe charger. Both accommodate the standard 17mm ball methodology.

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