Ideas needed: attaching our tablets to shelf poles
Everyone, None of my ideas for attaching a tablet to our shelving units have yet panned out. Following are * specific requirements *. - We need to install tablets vertically against the metal upright poles of our shelving units in the museum. (Poles are this style: http://tinyurl.com/zzz9rch but the tablets need to be against the vertical pole, not involving the actual shelves.) - The tablets (Insignia Flex 8) only cost $50. So we do not want an industrial mounting system that costs just as much or more. - The tablets need to be flush (more or less) to the poles, not sticking out. They do not need to be adjustable; in fact I'd prefer they are not adjustable. - The mounts don't need to lock, but they do need to be basically secure -- goal is to stop a visitors from casually walking away with one, not stop a determined criminal. - Must be non-ugly. This is a museum, not your workshop. My first plan was to buy hard-shell tablet cases and put pipe/conduit-style U-clamps on the back of them. But I wasn't able to find hard-shell cases that fit the dimensions of these tablets. Second plan was to use locks like the kind atop this stand: http://tinyurl.com/zfqx6yl (you only get the horizontal part on top and the locking mechanism). Figured we could adapt those to be installed on top of a piece of plexi or sheet metal, in the shape of a tablet, with the bottom bent up like capital J. But the lock thingamajigs do not fit our tablets. Third idea was to use something like this (http://tinyurl.com/zs6nkea) but they are too big for our tablets. Also they're ugly. I need new ideas. Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that. We need to solve this ASAP. I want to install the tablets in time for VCF East. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
What's the budget per unit, and would you be adverse to using epoxy to fasten the brackets directly to the aluminum back shell of the Flex 8
Ahem: "Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that." :) The tablets are $50 and we could spend maybe 25-ish max per mounting system. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
What about 3M mounting hardware? They have some pretty heavy duty double-sided foam/hooks that stick to most surfaces. On Feb 6, 2017 6:14 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
What's the budget per unit, and would you be adverse to using epoxy to
fasten the brackets directly to the aluminum back shell of the Flex 8
Ahem: "Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that."
:)
The tablets are $50 and we could spend maybe 25-ish max per mounting system.
________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit
evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999
www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
What about 3M mounting hardware? They have some pretty heavy duty double-sided foam/hooks that stick to most surfaces.
I don't think double-faced tape would be secure enough. What I have in mind is some kind of tablet surround that we could bolt to the poles. But again, it needs to be non-ugly, non-bulky, and non-expensive. :)
Sooo.... there are all kind of good ways to attach solid pieces to the poles, but we still need something specific for the tablets themselves. The outside of these tablets is 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4. If we could find (or if someone can make/machine/3-D print) rectangular cases that have a cut-out in front for the screens (7" x 4.5", starting 13/16ths from the top edge of the device)....
I think you're overthinking this. These are cheap, effectively disposable tablets. Why not just glue something to them? Take an electrical junction box cover. Use a dremel tool to cut four slots in it, spaced so you can thread two worm clamp type hose clamps through them. Bend the centers of the pairs of slots up a bit to give a space so the strap of the hose clamp fits and the rest of the plate sits flat against the tablet. Thread the hose clamps through. Epoxy the junction box cover to the back of the tablet. Now you have a tablet with a pair of worm clamps attached to it, that you can loop around and tighten on to the pole. You can use all manner of adhesives to attach such a homemade mounting plate to the back of the tablet - epoxy, construction adhesive, double sided tape, etc. Just think of those anti-theft plates that you find glued to old computers to allow cable locks to be installed. Those stay stuck. You're just creating one of those with hose clamps threaded through it, so you can mount it to a pole. Maybe not the most elegant, but they'd cost less than five bucks apiece to make, and nobody would ever see them because they'd be behind the tablets. -Ian On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 6:48 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Sooo.... there are all kind of good ways to attach solid pieces to the poles, but we still need something specific for the tablets themselves.
The outside of these tablets is 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4.
If we could find (or if someone can make/machine/3-D print) rectangular cases that have a cut-out in front for the screens (7" x 4.5", starting 13/16ths from the top edge of the device)....
-----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic- bounces@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic Sent: 06 February 2017 23:32 To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Cc: Evan Koblentz <evan@vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ideas needed: attaching our tablets to shelf poles
What about 3M mounting hardware? They have some pretty heavy duty double-sided foam/hooks that stick to most surfaces.
I don't think double-faced tape would be secure enough.
What I have in mind is some kind of tablet surround that we could bolt to the poles. But again, it needs to be non-ugly, non-bulky, and non-expensive. :)
Evan, At MOSI we have IPADs on a panel. They are retained by an acrylic plate with a hole on the centre as you suggest. The "sandwich" is held together by tamper-resistant screws. Very simple. Looks nice. Should be easy to replicate. Will send picture if interested. Dave
On 2/6/2017 6:10 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
What's the budget per unit, and would you be adverse to using epoxy to fasten the brackets directly to the aluminum back shell of the Flex 8
Ahem: "Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that."
The tablets are $50 and we could spend maybe 25-ish max per mounting system.
Flat steel plate with two of these on the back: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rsb-i10000 to clamp to the rack post Use industrial Velcro to fasten the tablet to the steel plate. The low budget really constrains what can be done....
Flat steel plate with two of these on the back: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rsb-i10000 to clamp to the rack post
Use industrial Velcro to fasten the tablet to the steel plate. The low budget really constrains what can be done....
I like the block clamp gadget, but velcro is not a theft-prevention system. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
On 2/6/2017 6:41 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Flat steel plate with two of these on the back: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rsb-i10000 to clamp to the rack post
Use industrial Velcro to fasten the tablet to the steel plate. The low budget really constrains what can be done....
I like the block clamp gadget, but velcro is not a theft-prevention system. I'll bring down a sample of the stuff I'm referring to - our test object is Velcro between two rack panels.
They use an acrylic adhesive to bond the velcro to the mounting surface.
On 2/6/2017 6:55 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
They use an acrylic adhesive to bond the velcro to the mounting surface. But velcro is MEANT for its halves to be separated. What am I missing? This particular product is intended for semi-permanent mounting of heavy parts to counters and vehicle interiors. It does not separate easily and usually requires a spatula or other flat tool to separate the sections.
On 2/6/2017 6:10 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
What's the budget per unit, and would you be adverse to using epoxy to fasten the brackets directly to the aluminum back shell of the Flex 8
Ahem: "Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that."
:)
The tablets are $50 and we could spend maybe 25-ish max per mounting system.
double sided 3m foam mounting tape, and/or maybe some sort of wood or metal backing plate with edge clamps which hold the tablet in place? I have no idea how much that would cost... -- Jonathan Gevaryahu jgevaryahu@gmail.com jgevaryahu@hotmail.com
What about a 3D printed custom mounts? On Feb 6, 2017 5:44 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Everyone,
None of my ideas for attaching a tablet to our shelving units have yet panned out.
Following are * specific requirements *.
- We need to install tablets vertically against the metal upright poles of our shelving units in the museum. (Poles are this style: http://tinyurl.com/zzz9rch but the tablets need to be against the vertical pole, not involving the actual shelves.)
- The tablets (Insignia Flex 8) only cost $50. So we do not want an industrial mounting system that costs just as much or more.
- The tablets need to be flush (more or less) to the poles, not sticking out. They do not need to be adjustable; in fact I'd prefer they are not adjustable.
- The mounts don't need to lock, but they do need to be basically secure -- goal is to stop a visitors from casually walking away with one, not stop a determined criminal.
- Must be non-ugly. This is a museum, not your workshop.
My first plan was to buy hard-shell tablet cases and put pipe/conduit-style U-clamps on the back of them. But I wasn't able to find hard-shell cases that fit the dimensions of these tablets.
Second plan was to use locks like the kind atop this stand: http://tinyurl.com/zfqx6yl (you only get the horizontal part on top and the locking mechanism). Figured we could adapt those to be installed on top of a piece of plexi or sheet metal, in the shape of a tablet, with the bottom bent up like capital J. But the lock thingamajigs do not fit our tablets.
Third idea was to use something like this (http://tinyurl.com/zs6nkea) but they are too big for our tablets. Also they're ugly.
I need new ideas. Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that.
We need to solve this ASAP. I want to install the tablets in time for VCF East. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit
evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999
www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
On Feb 6, 2017 7:41 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
What about a 3D printed custom mounts?
Fine if someone offers to do it.
There is a piece musicians use to attach iPad (with music scores) to microphone poles. Made specifically for attaching an iPad to a pole Bill
On 2/6/2017 8:08 PM, william degnan via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
On Feb 6, 2017 7:41 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
What about a 3D printed custom mounts? Fine if someone offers to do it. There is a piece musicians use to attach iPad (with music scores) to microphone poles. Made specifically for attaching an iPad to a pole Bill
Maybe something from this? https://www.sweetwater.com/c1067--iPad_iPhone_Stands_and_Holders
Some type of ABS enclosure box would be excellent. Inner dimensions should be 8.5" x 5" x 0.5". (I might've said 8.8 in another message. That's wrong, it is 8.5"." I searched various electronics/enclosure web sites just now. Could not find one in the right size. But you guys know this topic better than I, so hunt away!
On 2017-02-06 19:40, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
What about a 3D printed custom mounts?
Fine if someone offers to do it. To do what? Actually 3D print it or design the mount? If it's the former, there are lots of places on-line that will accept design files, 3D print, and drop-ship you finished product. I'm not sure what pricing is like, but its possible with enough copies in the order, the unit cost might be within your budget. If it's the later, no time like the present to learn CAD :) -Alan
there are lots of places on-line that will accept design files, 3D print, and drop-ship you finished product. I'm not sure what pricing is like, but its possible with enough copies in the order, the unit cost might be within your budget.
Yeah I just realized that. Here's my super-sophisticated-high-tech CAD drawing (clipboard abstract doodle): http://vcfed.org/evan/tabletcase.jpg
Here's my super-sophisticated-high-tech CAD drawing (clipboard abstract doodle): http://vcfed.org/evan/tabletcase.jpg
In case it's unclear: the front has an opening for the screen, and the back is solid other than the speaker opening. Of course we need a way to get the tablet in and out of the box. :) Someone else can design that. Maybe hinge the whole top, and put a loop on the bottom to hold the two halves together with a small padlock or cable lock. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
Those may be prohibitively expensive to print through a 3D printing service. They usually charge a $1 or $2 per cubic centimeter. And that includes the full volume, even if it's hollow in the middle. How about rigging a shadowbox to mount the tablets and you can hang them like a picture. Are people expected to touch the tablet during use? On Feb 6, 2017 9:30 PM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
there are lots of places on-line that will accept design files,
3D print, and drop-ship you finished product. I'm not sure what pricing is like, but its possible with enough copies in the order, the unit cost might be within your budget.
Yeah I just realized that.
Here's my super-sophisticated-high-tech CAD drawing (clipboard abstract doodle): http://vcfed.org/evan/tabletcase.jpg
How about rigging a shadowbox to mount the tablets and you can hang them like a picture.
Maybe, if it's strong enough, can be painted opaque, can be locked, and can be found in the right size.
Are people expected to touch the tablet during use?
Yes. Visitors will be able to touch different parts of the screen and get more information about artifacts. I tested 20 kiosk apps and found one that's perfect. Then I made a sample web page. It works great. It's locked down out the wazoo and is very reliable. The software part is done, now I just need a way to install the hardware.
how about this: http://www.dudley.nu/tablet_holder/20121203_001jpg.html Look at the various views of one I made by clicking "Next". Bill This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 5:43 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Everyone,
None of my ideas for attaching a tablet to our shelving units have yet panned out.
Following are * specific requirements *.
- We need to install tablets vertically against the metal upright poles of our shelving units in the museum. (Poles are this style: http://tinyurl.com/zzz9rch but the tablets need to be against the vertical pole, not involving the actual shelves.)
- The tablets (Insignia Flex 8) only cost $50. So we do not want an industrial mounting system that costs just as much or more.
- The tablets need to be flush (more or less) to the poles, not sticking out. They do not need to be adjustable; in fact I'd prefer they are not adjustable.
- The mounts don't need to lock, but they do need to be basically secure -- goal is to stop a visitors from casually walking away with one, not stop a determined criminal.
- Must be non-ugly. This is a museum, not your workshop.
My first plan was to buy hard-shell tablet cases and put pipe/conduit-style U-clamps on the back of them. But I wasn't able to find hard-shell cases that fit the dimensions of these tablets.
Second plan was to use locks like the kind atop this stand: http://tinyurl.com/zfqx6yl (you only get the horizontal part on top and the locking mechanism). Figured we could adapt those to be installed on top of a piece of plexi or sheet metal, in the shape of a tablet, with the bottom bent up like capital J. But the lock thingamajigs do not fit our tablets.
Third idea was to use something like this (http://tinyurl.com/zs6nkea) but they are too big for our tablets. Also they're ugly.
I need new ideas. Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that.
We need to solve this ASAP. I want to install the tablets in time for VCF East. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)3 educational non-profit
evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999
www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation
participants (11)
-
Adam Michlin -
Alan Hightower -
Christopher Gioconda -
dave.g4ugm＠gmail.com -
Evan Koblentz -
Ian Primus -
Jonathan Gevaryahu -
jsalzman＠gmail.com -
Martin A Flynn -
william degnan -
William Dudley