3D Printed Smartphone Stand with Cable Channel

This project is perfect for first-time 3D printing users. The phone stand is a straightforward shape — a wedge with a slot for the phone and a channel for the charging cable — that prints without supports in under 2 hours. You can design it in TinkerCAD (free, browser-based) or download an existing STL and modify it.

What You’ll Need

• FDM 3D printer (Ender 3, Creality, or similar)
• PLA filament — about 30–50 g
• TinkerCAD account (free at tinkercad.com) or a downloaded STL from Printables/Thingiverse
• Slicing software (Ultimaker Cura — free)
• Sandpaper 120-grit (for finishing)
• Optional: small rubber feet (self-adhesive)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Design in TinkerCAD: Create a rectangular wedge body about 90 mm wide × 70 mm deep × 50 mm tall at the back, sloping to 10 mm at the front. Add a 10 mm groove across the front face for the phone to rest in. Add a 6 mm diameter channel through the base from front to back for the cable.
2. Export STL: Click Export → .STL in TinkerCAD.
3. Slice: Open in Cura. Settings: 0.2 mm layer height, 20% infill (gyroid), 2 walls, no supports needed if the design is correct, build plate adhesion = brim. Slice and export G-code to SD card.
4. Print: Insert SD card in printer, preheat to PLA temps (215 °C nozzle / 60 °C bed), start print. Monitor the first layer for good adhesion.
5. Post-process: Remove the brim carefully with a flat spatula. Sand any rough surfaces with 120-grit. Add rubber feet to the underside to prevent sliding.
6. Thread the cable: Route your USB/Lightning cable through the channel before placing the phone.

Safety Notes

• Never leave a 3D printer running unattended for long periods — thermal runaway is a real fire risk on older machines without firmware protection.
• PLA print beds reach 60 °C — avoid touching the print surface while hot.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• If the first layer doesn’t stick, relevel the bed and increase the bed temperature by 5 °C.
• Measure your phone width first and add 2–3 mm clearance to the slot width in TinkerCAD.
• Print a cable channel test piece first (small block with just the channel) to verify cable fits before committing to a 2-hour full print.