Phones tend to end up flat on a desk while we work — off to the side, face down, or constantly being picked up just to check notifications, timers, or reference content. Over time they add clutter and break focus, even though we rely on them all day.

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Overview

STEPH was designed to give your phone a natural home while working — up at eye level, out of the way, and always within easy view. By using the top edge of a screen, it keeps desks clear while making your phone more accessible than ever.

What It Is & How It Works

STEPH is a compact, 3D-printed, print-in-place phone holder that mounts directly on the top edge of laptops, flat monitors, and tablets.

When deployed, it securely supports your phone at a comfortable viewing angle. When not in use, it folds down into a slim, pocket-sized form that can be stored in a bag, drawer, or desk organizer. It can also be used as a small desktop phone stand when screen mounting isn’t needed.

Everything prints as a single assembled piece — no hardware, fasteners, or post-assembly required.

Key Parts & Mechanisms

STEPH is built around a set of compliant, indexed mechanical joints that allow smooth motion while holding firmly in place.

The upper support arm holds the phone securely, while the lower mounting arm hooks over the top edge of the screen and braces gently against the back for stability. The indexed joints provide defined angle positions so the phone doesn’t drift or wobble over time.

Fine adjustment features allow STEPH to accommodate different phone thicknesses — with or without a case — as well as small viewing angle changes for comfort.

Size & Dimensions

One of the main goals with STEPH was to keep it as compact as possible without sacrificing strength or usability.

When folded, it collapses into a slim, pocket-sized form that takes up very little space. Compared to the original Phone Multi Widget, STEPH is significantly smaller while remaining highly functional.

This makes it easy to keep in a laptop bag, drawer, or desk organizer when not in use.

Printing Notes & Recommended Settings

STEPH is a high-precision print-in-place design and benefits from a well-tuned, properly calibrated printer.

It prints in the provided orientation with no supports required. Proper first-layer adhesion and clean extrusion help ensure the compliant joints move freely after printing.

Recommended slicer settings are shown in the accompanying documentation images.

Post-Print Setup & Motion Release

Once printed, STEPH may feel stiff at first — which is intentional for long-term firmness.

Gently flex each joint through its full range of motion to free the compliant areas. Light, controlled movement will release any minor bonding between layers and allow the joints to move smoothly.

After a few cycles, STEPH will settle into a smooth, firm, and satisfying motion.

Assembly (If Required)

STEPH is a true print-in-place design.

No assembly, hardware, adhesives, or fasteners are required. Once the joints are freed, it is ready to use straight off the printer.

Everyday Use & Operation

STEPH is designed for everyday workspaces where phones are constantly checked but don’t have a natural place to sit.

Mounted on the top edge of a screen, it keeps your phone:

• comfortably within your line of sight
• easy to glance at without breaking focus
• off your desk and out of the way

It works especially well for notifications, video calls, timers, reference content, tutorials, and media playback.

When not needed, it folds flat in seconds.

Why This Design Exists

STEPH was created to solve a small but constant workspace annoyance — phones rarely have a good place to live while working.

Rather than adding another desk accessory, STEPH uses space that normally goes unused and turns it into something functional.

Like the original Phone Multi Widget, STEPH follows a satisfying kinetic mechanical design philosophy that transforms from compact to functional through clever motion. Where the Phone Multi Widget explored versatility across many environments, STEPH refines that idea into a simpler, purpose-built tool for modern screens and workspaces.

Together, they represent a continuing focus on compact, mechanically clever designs that make everyday life a little more organized and enjoyable.

The post STEPH – Screen Top Edge Phone Holder first appeared on logicalplanet.

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It is a super simple 1-piece print. And, it attaches by simply placing it behind a wall plate. The existing wall plate screws hold the wall plate and the Mini eShelf in place with considerable strength. Definitely adequate enough for small electronics or similar.

A complication I discovered after designing my first one and getting a few followers to test it was, not all wall plates are the same size. So I have created a few size variants to hopefully allow it to work for most people.

On the top back centre of the shelf is a recess (pass through hole) so that electrical wires can be container when using the Mini eShelf for charger or similar activities.

Print Settings

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle and a 0.2mm layer height. For best results, I suggest the following:

Assembly and Installation Notes

No assembly is required. It is ready to go right off the print plate. And, installation is a breeze. Simply unscrew your existing wall plate and then place the Mini eShelf behind it. Screw the original wall plate back into place. That’s it!!

The post Mini eShelf first appeared on logicalplanet.

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The files for this are currently available on Thangs.com at https://than.gs/m/1256833

It isn’t so much about a car mounted version but rather making a 100% printable clamping phone holder. I mean, I think I can make this for the car but so far this is a desktop version that is also compatible with my ClampDock mount.

To make this all work, I needed a compact set of compliant springs that could clamp the phone securely and adapt to a fairly wide range of phone sizes. I also had to add in a gear which interfaces between the two spring sides so that they move in parallel and the exact same distance. Once these are put to gether you have the ClampDock. And, then various mounting options can be added.

As noted above, so far I have made an arm assembly that can hold the ClampDock at a desk, side table or similar. It uses a series of indexing “click” joints that can hold the arm assembly at variaous angle and in various positions. And, it can be free standing or attached to my ClampDock assembly.

Print Settings

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height. For best results I suggest the following:

• Material = PLA for everything but the Springs which should be PETG and the boots for gripping the phone which should be TPU.
• Nozzle = 0.4mm
• Layer Height = 0.2mm
• Line Width = 0.4mm
• Wall Count = 4 (1.6mm)
• Top and Bottom Layer Count = 5
• Detect Thin Walls = ON
• Wall Generator = Arachne
• Infill = 40% (Cubic)
• Support = None required
• Print orientation = As per the STL/3MF files and the included image

Assembly Notes

Please see the link video for assembly instructions.

The post SpringDock Phone Holder first appeared on logicalplanet.

This multi widget can hold your phone upright on a nightstand or shelf, at multiple angles on your desk, it can hang on a vertical face or a seat back (think airplane seat), it can also hang on a laptop screen or glass edge, it can also hold in a slot above a closed drawer of a cupboard, and probably more.

This one is going to be a challenge to document but here it goes…

In the widget’s most basic setup, the Phone Tray [2] rotates forward, the Phone Tray Lip [3] rotates forward to keep the phone from sliding out of the tray, and the Back Stand [4] rotates out 180° to stabilize the stand.

After that a more stabilized and angled stand can be made by folding the Back Stand [4] back away and flipping out either of the two sets of Arms [5] or [6] to lean the stand backwards at two different angles.

After that, if you fold the arms back and flip up the Thin Hook [10] you can hang the widget from any thin surface like a laptop screen. The Back Stand [4] can be used to angle the phone if desired.

Then rotating the Thin Hook [10] another 90° to the back positions it to be “wedged” in between a drawer top and its cabinet or a cupboard door and its cabinet. The Back Stand [4] can be used to angle the phone if desired.

I listed the above configurations before the next ones because to use the next ones you have to rotate the Thin Hook [10] 360° from its original location and as you do that rotate out the Upper Frame [7]. Sounds weird but it works when you have it in your hand.

Then with the Upper Frame [7] rotated out, you can flip down the Claws [9] to form another type of hooking arrangement that will allow the widget to be hung from larger objects like the back of a chair or door. But you can also slide out the Slide [8] and Claws [9] by pulling on the Slide. It has a detent at 0mm, 5mm and 10mm positions allowing it to be used in or out.

In this configuration, you can choose to use the Back Stand [4] or any Arms [5] or [6] to adjust the viewing angle of your phone.

In the end, its usefulness is moderate, but the fun factor is pretty good. And, I think for the most part you have to play with it to understand how to best use this thing.

Printing

Based on my own experience, I strongly recommend using my first layer squish tool if you have not got your first layer finely tuned before printing this product. If your machine is not set up well before printing this, the hinges, pivots and detents may not work as well as they should.

Material – I generally use PETG because I like its printability, durability and flexibility; and when printing well it is almost as clean as ABS. I have also printed it in ABS+ which works well too. I suspect you could make this with PLA as well but I have not tried it.

My Setup:
Nozzle = 0.4mm

My Settings:
Layer height = 0.2mm
Line width = 0.45mm
Wall count = 4 (1.6mm)
Infill = 40%
Support = Designed to print without supports.

Orientation: As shown in the screenshot.

Post Printing: It does not require anything special post-printing but there are a few things that might be helpful to know. Check out the following video to get an overview…

The post Phone Multi Widget first appeared on logicalplanet.