Arccos Link Holder
Completed

Arccos Link Holder

Role: Builder
Autodesk Fusion 360 Bambu Lab A1

Problem Statement

Using the Arccos Link (now called “Air”) from within a pocket was less than ideal. The microphone on it could easily fail if your pants were thick or if you wore a jacket on top. I looked on their store and saw they offered a clip for $25 (here). I wondered if I could create something myself that would help me explore using Autodesk Fusion 360 and save me some money.

Solution Summary

I built a custom designed holder for an Arccos Link. It looks a bit like a pager, which is truly funny for anyone who remembers what those are, and it clips to a belt, pants, or a pocket.

Timeline

  • Start: 6/1/2025
  • First Prototype: 6/1/2025
  • End / current status: 7/1/2025

Demo & Artifacts

Project Core

I wanted to see if I could learn how to build my own 3D prints. I love golf, and had been struggling to use the Link well. So, I decided to address several issues at once by designing and building a holder for the Link that would make it more useful to me.

Inspiration and early learnings

As I mentioned before, Arccos offers an option for $25. I figured I could build one for much cheaper. So I challenged myself to do so. The first 4 prototypes had significant issues. Through them I learned a lot about how to translate 3D designs into 3D prints. Some of the core learnings:

  1. Overhangs are always going to provide interesting challenges
  2. More material does not mean more strength
  3. Usage and human factors must always come first (I knew this for software but did not realize just how shocking the difference is in physical products.)

Getting it right

After a few iterations I had developed a solid working prototype. The first 2 working prototypes I had failed in the same way, the clip snapping right where it met the pants when clipped on. I triaged the issue and realized it was because the layering could sheer right at that point. I tried to design thicker clips but did not have high confidence that they would solve the issue. A friend told me to rotate the build 90 degrees and print it again. I trusted his experience so I took his advice. It fixed the issue entirely. This made me realize:

  1. Orientation of the print greatly affects the strength of the final product

I have used that same prototype for almost a year, probably 15-20 rounds of golf. It still functions and has not degraded substantially.

Closing

The total cost of the project across the 5 prototypes cost me at most $3.00. Considering that I also learned how to make 3D products that could withstand phsyical activity. I call this an unmitigated win.