Pixel: fix the seat
The first recess bottomed out before the puck seated properly. A revised curved seat passed the physical fit test; the small test print took approximately 7.5 minutes.
Product development / September–October 2026
Two watches.
One design.
JDC Duo: a modular charging dock for IKEA SKÅDIS, developed around two different chargers and a bracelet that cannot open flat.
- Role
- Brief, design direction & physical testing
- Process
- AI-assisted CAD & FDM printing
- Outcome
- Working personal prototype
01 / The brief
Design around how it is used.
The dock needed to hold an original Pixel Watch 3 charger and a Galaxy Watch 4 charger side by side, with a consistent appearance. The Galaxy’s closed link bracelet made a conventional upright stand awkward: the watch needed to slide on from the side.
The resulting pair has mirrored entry sides, charging faces tilted upwards at 45°, and integral SKÅDIS hooks. Removable charger inserts let the same holder accept different pucks without bolts.
02 / Test, then change
The print was the test.
Galaxy: fit is not retention
The initial coupon seemed to fit, but the charger fell out of the assembled holder on its own. Stronger local grip ribs and tapered retaining beads were added to a replacement insert. Its grip was confirmed working on 1 October.
Supports: count the cleanup
The complete pair worked, but the supports used too much material and their removal damaged the model. Future body prints need a comparison of selective supports, tree supports and orientation. That improvement has not yet been validated.
03 / Make only what changes
Replace the insert.
Keep the holders.
The Galaxy revision reused the existing holders and Pixel insert. It printed flat without supports, using a 0.4 mm nozzle, normal profile speeds, two walls and 10% infill in black PLA.
- Full pair · slicer estimate
- 4 h 14 min / 132.5 g
- Galaxy replacement · slicer estimate
- 21 min 12 sec / 12.1 g
- Replacement supports
- None
04 / Ownership & tools
Direction, feedback and iteration.
I set the requirements, chose the mounting and loading arrangement, ran the physical fit checks and directed each revision. AI assistance generated the parametric Blender geometry and helped prepare and operate the slicer. My test feedback determined which dimensions and print settings changed.
Existing charging stands informed the fit investigation. This is a personal prototype developed while exploring a 3D-printing workflow for JDC Ventures Ltd; it is not a released or commercially validated product. Long-term durability and charging endurance have not been established.
More engineering work ↗