For those complaining about the low number of cup holders in Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s Model S sedan, there may be a solution. And that solution is about as futuristic as the Model S is—it involves 3D printing.
Printing a cup holder for your Tesla
Street Insider points to a 3D-printed cup holder / center console for the Model S. It’s on Thingverse, and it looks like the thing sort of sits in front of the center console between the console and the touch screen. It wouldn’t provide cup holders for the back seat, as some have complained about, but it could spark ideas for those who happen to have not only a Model S but also a 3D printer. And hey, if you’re rich enough to have a Model S, you might be rich enough to have a 3D printer too.
The blueprints provided on the website are designed for the MakerBot printer made by Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS). Those who happen to have a 3D printer can print it in a variety of different colors.
Tesla working on another cup holder
Apparently Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is working on its own solution for the console complaints. However, that’s going to be priced at around $500. So it’s up to you. Spend thousands of dollars on a 3D printer and print your own, or just wait until Tesla releases its own solution and fork over the $500. Of course if you’re an engineer, the answer to that question is easy. Get the 3D printer. There are all kinds of other fun things you can do with them.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has experimented with 3D printing himself. He built a design lab for his other venture, SpaceX, so that they could 3D print rocket parts out of titanium using just hand motions. He said he got the inspiration for the lab from the Iron Man movies.
