Making a replacement Hinge for a 15" Studio Display

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ComputerCompulsive

ComputerCompulsive

Tinkerer
Nov 27, 2022
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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

1706980075563.png
 

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Paolo B

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Nov 27, 2021
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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…
 
ComputerCompulsive

ComputerCompulsive

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Nov 27, 2022
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Paolo B said:
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…
Click to expand...

Here's what Shapeways says about their process:

www.shapeways.com

Aluminum - 3D Printing Material

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 www.shapeways.com
 
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Paolo B

Tinkerer
Nov 27, 2021
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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.
 
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teke978

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Feb 16, 2024
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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!

IMG_1735-sm.jpgIMG_1733-sm.jpg
 
ComputerCompulsive

ComputerCompulsive

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Nov 27, 2022
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teke978 said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
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teke978

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Feb 16, 2024
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R5D4 said:
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
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info and good luck with your project! (y)
 
ComputerCompulsive

ComputerCompulsive

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Nov 27, 2022
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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.
 

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ComputerCompulsive

ComputerCompulsive

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Nov 27, 2022
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R5D4 said:
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.
Click to expand...
I can happily report that after tensioning the springs on the monitor hinge everything is working great!

I will be posting the second aluminum piece I had created by shapeway for sale at cost $62.77 US in the North America Trading Post Section of the forums. Just be aware that it will likely need to be filed down to fit the the leg properly but it's already been tapped for the 3mm screws so it should be a pretty to assemble.
 
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saintjaved

New Tinkerer
Sep 17, 2024
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ComputerCompulsive said:
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

View attachment 14841
Click to expand...
Hi the person doing the 3d printing is asking for dimensions (length, Height) what are they?
 
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