V2 printed and installed
Lifeguard Stand Cupholder
A removable cupholder, revised with storage, a phone holder, and a reinforced mounting design.
- My role
- Part design, printing & revision
- Objective
- Add removable drink and item storage to a lifeguard stand
- Tools & methods
- CAD · FDM 3D printing
- Current result / status
- V2 printed and installed after V1 mount failure
V1: A practical problem
At GCIT’s indoor pool, drinks could spill or get in the way when placed loosely on the lifeguard stand. I designed a removable cupholder that hooks over the stand’s arm, keeping a drink accessible without drilling into or modifying the stand.
Design decisions
I modeled the holder as a single piece with a cylindrical cavity and a hook sized around the stand arm. The goals were a compact shape, straightforward installation, low material use, and compatibility with common drink containers.
A drain hole lets condensation and splashed water escape. Fillets soften exposed edges, and the recessed GCIT lettering personalizes the part. The model combines extrusions, hollow geometry, a text cut, and fillets.
Printing and use
I printed the holder in white PLA for use indoors, using adaptive layer heights. The one-piece design reduced assembly work and was intended to limit the need for support material.
The initial print fit the stand and kept drinks within reach during shifts. I evaluated it through everyday use rather than a controlled load test.
What failed and what I learned
After a few weeks, an accidental elbow bump cracked the holder near the mounting junction. The initial fit worked, but the failure showed that the mount needed to tolerate incidental impacts as well as the weight of a drink.
That failure guided the V2 redesign below. This project taught me to consider how a part is likely to be bumped or handled during normal use, as well as how it supports its intended load.
V2 Update
I redesigned the mount and revised the infill configuration to address the failure, then printed and installed V2 at GCIT’s indoor pool. The revision also adds storage for small items.
The new shelf gives pocket items a dedicated place. A separate phone holder is intended to keep the phone put away to reduce distractions while keeping it nearby for emergency communication.
Two mounting hooks and diagonal braces reinforce the design around the shelf and mount. The revision retains the removable fit, cup drain hole, rounded edges, and GCIT lettering.
What changed in V2
| Need or observation | Design response | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| V1 cracked near the mount after an elbow bump. | Two mounting hooks, diagonal braces, and a revised infill configuration. | V2 printed and installed. Improved load capacity has not been quantified. |
| Pocket items needed a dedicated place. | Integrated shelf and separate phone holder. | The CAD layout and installed part show the added storage. |
| The stand needed to remain unmodified. | Retained the removable hook-on mounting approach. | Installed fit without drilling into the stand. |
