Octoprint tablet case and wireless charging dock

I've been slowly reworking my BLV MGN Cube 3D printer. Since I ended up repurposing the original PanelDue touch screen display, I wanted to come up with a different solution for the front display. I decided to go for a cheap 7" Android tablet, which would let me access the full Duet Web Control interface, as well as connecting to my other printers. (And play music and take pictures, I mean, why not?)

This wouldalso have the benefit of allowing me to grab the screen and take it on the go, if for example I wanted to keep an eye on my print while I was in a different part of the house!

I wanted a clean look, though, and that meant not fussing around with plugging in a micro USB to the janky tablet connector all the time. So I got myself a Qi wireless transmitter and receiver, and integrated them into the dock.

I also wanted a solid connection between the tablet and the dock, so I integrated pairs of neodymium magnets into the case and dock. This yields a very satisfying "thunk" when the tablet connects!

The transmitter I used also has an abundance of bright blue LEDs to indicate charging status, so I integrated a light ring printed in transparent PETG to make it visible.

It turns out the strong magnets interfere a bit with the inductive power transmission, so after a bit of research I found that angling the transmitter board gave me a reliable connection. YMMV, though, so it might also be worth trying less powerful magnets. They're*plenty* strong as they are!

The case is printed in PLA with an inner TPU liner for shock absorption. It has a print-in-place kickstand for when it's undocked; the kickstand is held closed by a pair of press-fit 3x3mm cylinder magnets..

Here's a rough parts list:

• 1/2" x 1/4" x 1/8" neodymium bar magnets (8)
• 3x3mm neodymium cylinder magnets (2)
• wireless receiver (make sure you get the plug facing the right way for your device)
• wireless transmitter
• various M3 screws, plus M2 screws for affixing the transmitter board
• Vankyo MatrixPad S7 tablet

Print instructions

Category: 3D Printer Accessories Summary

I've been slowly reworking my BLV MGN Cube 3D printer. Since I ended up repurposing the original PanelDue touch screen display, I wanted to come up with a different solution for the front display. I decided to go for a cheap 7" Android tablet, which would let me access the full Duet Web Control interface, as well as connecting to my other printers. (And play music and take pictures, I mean, why not?)

This wouldalso have the benefit of allowing me to grab the screen and take it on the go, if for example I wanted to keep an eye on my print while I was in a different part of the house!

I wanted a clean look, though, and that meant not fussing around with plugging in a micro USB to the janky tablet connector all the time. So I got myself a Qi wireless transmitter and receiver, and integrated them into the dock.

I also wanted a solid connection between the tablet and the dock, so I integrated pairs of neodymium magnets into the case and dock. This yields a very satisfying "thunk" when the tablet connects!

The transmitter I used also has an abundance of bright blue LEDs to indicate charging status, so I integrated a light ring printed in transparent PETG to make it visible.

It turns out the strong magnets interfere a bit with the inductive power transmission, so after a bit of research I found that angling the transmitter board gave me a reliable connection. YMMV, though, so it might also be worth trying less powerful magnets. They're*plenty* strong as they are!

The case is printed in PLA with an inner TPU liner for shock absorption. It has a print-in-place kickstand for when it's undocked; the kickstand is held closed by a pair of press-fit 3x3mm cylinder magnets..

Here's a rough parts list:

• 1/2" x 1/4" x 1/8" neodymium bar magnets (8)
• 3x3mm neodymium cylinder magnets (2)
• wireless receiver (make sure you get the plug facing the right way for your device)
• wireless transmitter
• various M3 screws, plus M2 screws for affixing the transmitter board
• Vankyo MatrixPad S7 tablet

  Print Settings

Printer:

Artillery3D Sidewinder X1

Rafts:

No

Resolution:

various

Filament: various various various

Notes:

• grey PETG
• black TPU

• clear PETG
  Everything was printed at 0.3 mm layer height, using a 0.6mm nozzle with 3 perimeters.

  Post-Printing

  To connect the Qi receiver, I pulled off the adhesive plastic case to expose the bare PCB and flat charging cable. I desoldered the flat cable, and added a short extension to allow me to place the coil and circuitboard in the center of the case. I also trimmed off the excess material around the coil and board with a pair of flush cutters. The magnet slots are a tight press fit, so I used a block of wood and a hammer to seat them.

  For the transmitter, the small LED board comes wired to the USB port breakout, and thus is solidly let whenever power is connected. I desoldered the LED cables from the USB breakout, and resoldered them to the LED+/- solder pads on the primary board. This lets the breakout LEDs pulse during charging.