3rd-gen iPod NanoSpool

thingiverse

A wire manager is sought after for a 3rd-gen iPod Nano, which should allow the wire to coil up for storage while being attached to the iPod without hindering full use of it, including access to all controls and ports. The device must also permit partial or full uncoiling with lockdown of the cord. Though it may slightly bulk up the iPod, it is still comfortable in a shirt pocket. However, if one stopped smoking due to discomfort caused by a cigarette pack in their pocket, they might not prefer this wire manager. The photos display a PLA print made on a Prusa Mendel Reprap for a 3rd-gen iPod Nano, which is the third iteration of the design. The first was just for practice, and the second was printed. Improvements in the 3rd-gen include deepening the spool to hold more wire, lengthening pins from 1mm to 2mm, and creating eight slots instead of four for convenience in wrapping and holding the wire down. Earbud cords can fit into these slots, available in various widths for accommodating different earbud brands. However, they can be filed out for a wider fit if needed. The stl file for the spool was 10 times larger than actual size, but the parts were designed in Sketchup and converted to stls using the skp-to-dxf plugin, specifying 1mm scale. The holder was designed at the meter scale. Cloud.netfabb.com fixed subtle flaws in the .skp files, enabling successful printing of both stls. Xendi printed the pieces and used slic3r to generate Gcode. Post-printing work includes filing down pins or enlarging holes if needed, cleaning out wisps of PLA from slots using various tools, and assembling the device by heat-bonding two pieces before melting protruding pins with a soldering iron on aluminum foil. Alternatively, superglue or acetone for ABS can be used for bonding. For more information about this wire manager's development process, visit wiki.hackmanhattan.com.