Modular Luminaire &

Media Stand

Project Summary

The Modular Luminaire & Media Stand is a portable, dual-purpose station designed to fix the posture and lighting issues that come with modern studying. By combining 3D-printed joints with wooden supports, I created a lightweight system that functions as both a stable stand for large tablets and a focused task light.

Why did you do this project?

I noticed my cousin, a medical student, had really bad posture when studying at my house while my mother was traveling. She was constantly hunching over her iPad and textbooks, which made me realize she needed a better way to support her devices. I also have this problem myself; my room has poor lighting, so I needed a lamp that could illuminate my sketchbook while I use my tablet for drawing references.

How did you make your project or solve this problem?

I started by designing a modular, dismountable system on my tablet, choosing 3D printing and wood to keep the project light and affordable. I bought five 1-meter wooden sticks (about 15.5mm thick, but each stick had its own imperfections), even though I only needed two. Then, I 3D modeled custom "feet" and "head" joints to hold them together in Fusion 360, a professional software for 3D modeling. It took some trial and error. I had one failed attempt with the hole sizes, so I had to adjust my models and spend time sanding and varnishing the wood to get a perfect fit. While I’m still figuring out the best way to mount the light bulb, the structure is finished and successfully supports the weight of a Samsung Tab S9+ (the device I used to test my project's resistance).

What did you find out?

After testing my design, I found that the tripod-style frame is surprisingly stable and doesn't tip over, even with a heavy tablet. I learned that precision is everything in a "friction-fit" project; if the measurements are off by even a millimeter, the sticks won't stay in the 3D-printed sockets. I had to do a lot of "sanding and testing" to make sure the parts were secure enough to hold a book but still easy enough to pull apart and move.

Why do your results matter?

This project shows that you can solve real-world problems like neck strain and bad lighting using a "hybrid" approach to building. It proves that mixing modern 3D printing with simple materials like wood can create something that is both functional and looks good. I decided to leave the wood natural and use transparent filament because I think seeing how the materials work together gives the project its "spark," which would be lost if I just painted it.

What could you do next?

My next step is to finalize the electrical part of the project and figure out a secure way to mount the bulb inside the 3D-printed head. In the future, I’d like to design different styles of "feet" so that the viewing angle can be adjusted even more. I also want to experiment with different shapes of integrated lampshades to see how they affect the direction or general appearance of the light.

References

This project is an original design I developed after my teacher L, prompted me to "mix" different construction techniques. I took that advice and decided to combine 3D printing with woodwork to create a hybrid structure. I’m proud to have handled the design, 3D modeling, and manual labor of this project on my own.

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