Making a replacement Hinge for a 15" Studio Display

[R5D4]

Hey folks,
I recently picked up a few monitors and unfortunately one of them has a broken hinge. I looked for a 3D model for the 15 inch Apple Studio Display hinge but couldn't find one.
Long story short my brother in law did up a STL file for me and we prototyped it on a 3D printer.

Now that I know everything fits I've sent off an order to Shapeways and will let everyone know if it works or not but thought I'd throw the STL file up here either way and upload a new version if we end up tweaking it.

Note: Now available for download from Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6590582

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Nice, I have a 15” with a broken hinge too. Thanks!

 

[JustG]

Patiently awaiting updates, broken 15" owner checking in!

 

[Paolo B]

Is it going to be milled out of metal?

 

[R5D4]

Is it going to be milled out of metal?

I've submitted it to Shapeway to be created out of aluminium. My brother in law has the tools to thread aluminium.
Won't receive it until March 1st but the resin piece fit well so I'm hoping the aluminium one will as well.

 

[Paolo B]

Is it machined from billet, cast or 3D printed? In the past I was considering maybe running a small series of machined parts, out of brass or aluminium…

 

[R5D4]

Is it machined from billet, cast or 3D printed? In the past I was considering maybe running a small series of machined parts, out of brass or aluminum…

Here's what Shapeways says about their process:

Aluminum 3D Printing - 3D Printed with Aluminum - Shapeways

Models made from 3D printed aluminum are strong and precise. The material is recommended for its strength, stiffness, low weight, and high accuracy. Learn more here.

www.shapeways.com

 

[Paolo B]

So, 3D printed. It will look a little coarse, you will have to finish the part by hand, but it should do the job. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

 

[3lectr1c]

I've got one with a busted off hinge too! Though mine also has liquid damage on the screen, still turned on when I tested it though. Could be useful

 

[teke978]

I just bought an Apple Cinema Display ADC 20" (A1038) that also has a broken hinge - broken during shipping. Will this hinge also fit that Apple Display? Thanks!

 

[R5D4]

I just bought an Apple Cinema Display ADC 20" (A1038) that also has a broken hinge - broken during shipping. Will this hinge also fit that Apple Display? Thanks!

View attachment 14989View attachment 14990

You would need to modify the file. The hinge on these Cinema Displays (and the 17 inch too) is wider than the hinge on the 15 inch. Once I have my aluminium piece back from ShapeWays I might tinker with the file and make different sizes available. Assuming mine works lol

 

[teke978]

You would need to modify the file. The hinge on these Cinema Displays (and the 17 inch too) is wider than the hinge on the 15 inch. Once I have my aluminium piece back from ShapeWays I might tinker with the file and make different sizes available. Assuming mine works lol

Thanks for the info and good luck with your project!

 

[R5D4]

Just arrived from Shapeways. Bit rough in texture but not too bad. Now I just need to get to my brother-in-laws place so he can help me finish them up!

 

[R5D4]

Alright folks I was finally out to my brother in law's place and we did the final assembly on this version of the part.
Here's my impressions of this version:

1) Depending on the print its going to fit either just right or be every slightly too tight. I bought two pieces from Shapeways using the same model at the same time and one went in perfect the other needs to be filed down every so slightly to fit.

2) We ended up drilling out the holes to be 2.5mm (originally 2mm in the model) so the 3mm tape would work properly. Given the variability in the prints I'm going to leave the model at 2mm and recommend that you drill it out yourself to the 2.5mm required.

3) Not sure if this is a spring issue or a part issue (maybe someone here has experience to talk to this point) but in the pictures I've attached you can see the leg seems to want to slide back to the most tilted angle (vs the 17 inch in the background). It just does not want to stay at the angle that the 17 inch does so effortlessly.

I'll see if I can adjust the spring or do something to tighten up the leg (any suggestions appreciated).

If I get this fulling working using this version of the part I'll post the second unit for sale.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I found this on ifixit.com about adjusting the leg spring.

 

[tom_B]

This is awesome!

What did the printed parts from shapeways end up costing?

 

[R5D4]

This is awesome!

What did the printed parts from shapeways end up costing?

Ended up being $125.55US with shipping for two units printed in aluminum.

Assuming it's just a spring tension issue and the unit itself isn't at fault I'll sell the second one for cost and try to recoup some money.