AI-Assisted Design · 3D Printing · RC
Folding. Indexed. Removable.
A folding, indexed-position desk and simulator stand engineered for the square carrying handle on the Spektrum iX14 transmitter and validated through repeated physical fitment and testing on the actual radio.
How this escalated
The problem
I was used to the adjustable stand on the Mikado VBar Control. Laying the iX14 flat on a desk or simulator station was less useful, and propping it against whatever happened to be nearby was not exactly an engineered solution.
Create a stand that could remain installed, fold out of the way, preserve the carrying handle and provide repeatable viewing positions without drilling or permanently altering the transmitter.
What started as a bracket became a small mechanical system with retained pivots, keyed load paths, a replaceable wear component, adjustable alignment and a spring-loaded indexing mechanism.
Development
V1 successfully proved that a folding, adjustable and indexed stand could work. V2 kept the useful idea and changed the architecture around the handle rails.
Caudal Rear Anchoring Platform
Side Mount Unit Technology
Final hardware
The finished V2 design is more than a shape that happens to hold the radio up. Each element has a specific job in keeping the stand compact, adjustable, serviceable and repeatable.
Compact left and right assemblies mount around the handle rails without a common through-bolt crossing the radio.
The indexed-position wear element is a separate keyed part rather than something buried permanently in the main stand geometry.
An M4 x 8 ball plunger provides positive, repeatable stand positions instead of relying on friction alone.
The side assemblies allow alignment adjustment to accommodate real-world radio manufacturing tolerances.
Keys carry shear and twisting loads so fasteners and inserts are not asked to do every job themselves.
The final layout leaves the carrying handle usable while the stand remains installed.
The stand folds tightly enough to remain attached while fitting inside the existing double-radio carrier.
The validated V2 build uses PETG-HF with tested print settings documented in the public project repository.
Actual build
The final geometry was not approved because it looked good on screen. V2 was printed, assembled and exercised through its complete range on the actual transmitter.
AI-assisted iteration
AI accelerated the translation from measurements, photographs and requirements into printable geometry. Repeated physical testing determined what actually worked. Dimensional corrections, interference, hardware placement and fitment observations went back into the next model until the printed parts behaved correctly on the real transmitter.
Build resources
The public repository is the authoritative source for printable files, hardware requirements and detailed assembly documentation so there is only one place builders need to check for the current version.
Same acronym, different project. The stand survived enough iterations to earn this version.
Arroyo Cooperative
V1 proved the concept. V2 fixed the compromises. The final stand was assembled and physically validated on the actual iX14, then documented as a complete open maker project.