So I thought it would be great to have cup holders, and not anything flimsy or feeble or obtrusive that might take away from the sleek interior design of the Fiero. There were a few existing files out there that, but I wasn't too happy with them. Thus, I sat in the car and asked myself where could I add cup holders that would be very stable while minimally modifying the car, and my eyes fell on that upright storage bin between the seats. What I crafted is a simple bolt on design that replaces that door/bin.
It prints in 4 pieces and takes 12 screws to assemble, and is very, very sturdy. You can fit large drinks in this thing and they don't fall out or wiggle.
It also has two additional trays behind and above the cup holders that can accomodate everything from glasses cases to smart phones. In fact I've found it easier to store things in these than in the door that was originally there. They are designed so the items won't slide out.
What you see in the photos is the prototype, so it's crude with paint marks and scuffs on it, and the curves are slightly off from the final files, but it is generally correct. 3d printed items also look different in photos than in real life, as the lighting often exagerates the layer visibility.
I'm curious what people think, and can share the files if anyone is interested in trying it. Even in pieces it's a big print.
I can imagine some people won't like them being somewhat behind you, and require reaching around, but they aren't in the way of anything and that was important to me.
[This message has been edited by Jeffdylanproctor (edited 07-10-2023).]
I have a cup holder that is hung on the center console glovebox door. Because the drink is located behind your reach it is very difficult to grab the drink while driving and equally hard to put it back. The front of the console design by Txgood seems far better. Nice effort to create something you believe is good, but I do not see functionality with this design.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
This is a really cool and unique design, wonder what material would be best to print it in? (How hot does it get in a typical Fiero interior? 🤔
I would avoid PLA as its transition temperature starts around 60C. ABS or PETG would be fine.
I bought my printer kit for around $150 ten years ago. I didn't had succes printing ABS untill I built an enclosure which helped to maintain the higher temperatures needed to print ABS. A heated bed and an enclosure are a must for ABS. I use my printer regularly and it has become one of my tools to make parts which are difficult to make otherwise or I cant find in a store. So far I have designed and printed several parts for my Fiero (including cupholders!).
These are made from PETG, as I do almost all automotive stuff with PETG. Pla will warp in the sunlight. ABS fairs well, but I prefer the qualities of PETG, even though I like the finish of ABS more.
On my truck, I have some PETG and TPU parts that have been in place for several years and have survived the heat of the sun both inside and outside the vehicle. Some of these are very large parts, some of them are small. But PETG is great, especially at 100% infill on all small parts, but big parts can be 15%-30% if they aren't all that critical
[This message has been edited by Jeffdylanproctor (edited 07-15-2023).]
I would avoid PLA as its transition temperature starts around 60C. ABS or PETG would be fine.
I bought my printer kit for around $150 ten years ago. I didn't had succes printing ABS untill I built an enclosure which helped to maintain the higher temperatures needed to print ABS. A heated bed and an enclosure are a must for ABS. I use my printer regularly and it has become one of my tools to make parts which are difficult to make otherwise or I cant find in a store. So far I have designed and printed several parts for my Fiero (including cupholders!).
Do you have to design the parts in CAD or can you just 3D scan an object you want to print?
I can think of a lot of things I would print if I could just sculpt the object and scan it.
[This message has been edited by fredtoast (edited 07-16-2023).]
Do you have to design the parts in CAD or can you just 3D scan an object you want to print?
I can think of a lot of things I would print if I could just sculpt the object and scan it.
I never 3D scanned an object but sculpting an object to scan it to make it again sounds a bit counterproductive. I can imagine you would do that if it is to complex to model in software.
You can find many printable files at Thingieverse and the likes but if you want to design your own objects you need to learn the basics of 3D design. Any (free) 3D software that can output .stl files could be used. Most of the objects I make are simple basic shapes combined to a final (sometimes complex) shape. The sizes and dimensions I put in are the same as I get in the final product so this is more accurate than handshaping.
I never 3D scanned an object but sculpting an object to scan it to make it again sounds a bit counterproductive. .
I have never done it, so I can't say for sure. But I think I could sculpt a face from clay quicker than I could design it on a CAD program.
I am intrigued by the possibilities either way.
If you changed your design so that the cup holders set forward more and dropped down to the level of the arm rest would that get in the way of resting your arm there?
[This message has been edited by fredtoast (edited 07-20-2023).]
So I do both sculpting and the sketch/draft style of CAD work, and I find that a part like this takes far longer with scuplting. Thus, for a part like this I tend to use Freecad, which can be a bit painful to learn, but is very competent when it comes to sketching out parts like this.
I was not planning on making or selling these in mass, as they aren't the sort of thing that deserves a high price tag but at the same time take an large amount of material and a very long time to print (I printed the four pieces over a three night period). But I wouldn't mind sharing the files if someone was wanting to try a model as an individual.
Edit: I personally do not like scanning items, as I have not found any success in that area. A fine micrometer and protractor are my choice of tools, and I so far they've treated me well in precise fitment.
[This message has been edited by Jeffdylanproctor (edited 07-21-2023).]
Regarding awkward access: my wife's 2020 Subaru Forester has two cup holders side-by side on the center console just to the right of the driver's right elbow. To make it worse, the padded rectangular lid to a little cargo compartment slightly overhangs the cup holders. The lid cannot be slid back.
Bottom line: the only way I've found for the driver to safely - sort of safely - use a cup holder in her car is to reach across with the left arm/hand. At least that way you're approaching the cup holder from the front and not from directly above. Also avoids jamming the right elbow backwards.
Looks like the left hand cross-over technique would work with this thread's cup holder arrangement. Maybe a bit of a torso twist, but what the heck? Don't reach for the strawberry shake in a decreasing radius corner.
------------------ John W. Tilford
[This message has been edited by John W. Tilford (edited 07-22-2023).]
Regarding awkward access: my wife's 2020 Subaru Forester has two cup holders side-by side on the center console just to the right of the driver's right elbow. To make it worse, the padded rectangular lid to a little cargo compartment slightly overhangs the cup holders. The lid cannot be slid back.
Bottom line: the only way I've found for the driver to safely - sort of safely - use a cup holder in her car is to reach across with the left arm/hand. At least that way you're approaching the cup holder from the front and not from directly above. Also avoids jamming the right elbow backwards.
Looks like the left hand cross-over technique would work with this thread's cup holder arrangement. Maybe a bit of a torso twist, but what the heck? Don't reach for the strawberry shake in a decreasing radius corner.
My thought exactly. Reach under your right arm with your left hand, grab the drink, and enjoy.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-22-2023).]
Haha, yes you do have to reach, but it's not that bad. Maybe I'm still young, lol, but it's basically like reaching my right elbow with me left hand. I can do it whole driving a manual without a lot of effort. I'm also tall and lanky.
there is the ash tray drop in cup holder that is pretty nice. I have made an addon to it allowing the ash tray area to hold a cell phone. If someone is looking for something specific for cup holders and shifter area i might be able to help. That console piece is cool just hard to reach for it. I have another design that cameron rose is testing for me adding cup holders in front of the shifter area. It screws into your current shifter plate. If you have a manual shift place i can reprint those too. The automatic shift plate is much harder to replicate.
there is the ash tray drop in cup holder that is pretty nice. I have made an addon to it allowing the ash tray area to hold a cell phone. If someone is looking for something specific for cup holders and shifter area i might be able to help. That console piece is cool just hard to reach for it. I have another design that cameron rose is testing for me adding cup holders in front of the shifter area. It screws into your current shifter plate. If you have a manual shift place i can reprint those too. The automatic shift plate is much harder to replicate.
Link or pics?
[This message has been edited by fredtoast (edited 07-24-2023).]
Today I finished and tested my glovebox which has 3 printed cupholders in the backside of the glovebox door. To me it is good to not see them when I don't need them and I had space for them in the door. Not hard to reach with my long arms.
I'm pretty sure cup holders were intentionally left out of the Fiero interior design on purpose.
They don't fit the whole concept of a midengine sports car.
I think the Fiero just barely missed the "cupholder era" by a few years. Cavaliers, first-gen J-Bodies, 3rd-gen Camaros etc didn't have any either at first.
We often speculate here on the forum about what a modern-day Fiero would look like. One thing is certain - it would have several cupholders!
The first mass produced vehicle with cupholders was a 1983 Dodge/Plymouth minivan, later, other cars, such as the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, had some form of cupholder, in the Cutlass' case, 2 circular indentations on the inside of the glovebox door, like airplane tray tables, mainstream adoption didn't happen until well into the 90s. For being an 80s car, the Fiero has 2 of the best cupholders I've seen, the one in the dash and the two map pockets, both hold drinks very securely, and when compared to the majority of other 80s and even some 90s cars that had literally nowhere to put a drink except for leaning in a more square ashtray, or just sitting, unrestrained, on the center console.
