HELP: Mesh Headrest Inserts

[imari]

I ordered a pair of the mesh headrest inserts for my 986 and they look great BUT I'm not quite sure how to install them. I'm pretty handy but have nothing to go so before I begin the "trial and error" process...does anyone know about these? I would appreciate some pointers

[steved0x]

They just click right in, they are installed from the back of the roll bar hoops with the tabs facing forward. They are not symmetrical, the left and right are different. Hold them up from the back and see which is which. Then gently slide them in . I can't send a photo because I have a roll bar extension installed.

[grc0456]

....it couldn't be any easier. Just identify driver's and passenger sides and gently push them in from the rear. They will sort of click in.

Most of us further secure them to give some level of theft protection by using black zip ties. Just feed the zip tie under the roll bar and through the bottom of the mesh. Cut off excess.

I also noticed a little squeaking could be solved by using a little black duct tape around a few of the pressure points.

[particlewave]

I've never seen anyone ask how to snap something in, which makes me wonder...are they OEM?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by particlewave

... makes me wonder...are they OEM?

I know, I bought a wind blocker one time and got some fabric mesh thing... Definitely not OEM...

[grc0456]

Yes, you do want OEM. They are fashioned by old world german craftsmen using the finest materials manufactured to exacting standards worthy of your Porsche. Or you could just get some molded plastic ones at exorbitant prices. Wait, that is OEM.


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[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by grc0456

Yes, you do want OEM. They are fashioned by old world german craftsmen using the finest materials manufactured to exacting standards worthy of your Porsche. Or you could just get some molded plastic ones at exorbitant prices. Wait, that is OEM.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! :dance:

[imari]

Sorry everybody, I didn't even look to see just how SIMPLE the installation of those mesh headrests were. It took 30 seconds....smh.
I DO however appreciate the recommendation of using zip ties to secure them. I'm all set - on to the next project!!!!!

[986ohana]

Love them.... Where did you purchase them?

[imari]

Originally Posted by 986ohana

Love them.... Where did you purchase them?

Found them on Ebay for $120

[jb92563]

Need to 3D print these to bring the price down to $20 a pair.

If mine break I will give it a shot.

We should start a thread for 3D printable part models for the Boxster.

[Meir]

Originally Posted by jb92563

Need to 3D print these to bring the price down to $20 a pair.

If mine break I will give it a shot.

We should start a thread for 3D printable part models for the Boxster.

+1 on the $20.
also the material should be much more soft/flexible.
the OEM are just to brittle.

[epapp]

Have been trying to design something that would let me 3D print them.

My bed is 8x8x8 so I probably can't print a complete headrest all at once. I also don't have an original insert to reference to actually design it.

The best and easiest option I have thought of so far is a flat version of the OEM design, but thin enough to flex into the shape it should be when inserted into the roll bar. That takes car of the complicated surface shape modeling/printing.

Also been trying to print roll bar covers, similar to the Klissle (spelling) covers that were sold awhile back on the forum. I have some prototypes that fit but only on one small section of the roll bar. Modeling the shape properly/efficiently is difficult for me.

[jb92563]

I was thinking that I could print it flat in 2 halves, join it with CA glue and then form it over a rounded shape with a heat gun.

I still have my originals although it looks like a retaining tab has broken off.

[epapp]

Are you any good at 3D modeling? I have some good ideas to avoid messy glue at all costs, but in order to even get remotely close in my design, it would really help to have real dimensions.


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[jb92563]

I have been looking to try a 2D approach to starting a 3D model.

Snap a picture then scale it to the correct dimensions, make it a shape, extrude it to the right thickness then add the sill/tab edges.

Looking to see if there are any nice tools for doing that.

I typically use the free Sketchup V8 due to its .stl converter, and FreeCAD or Open SCAD.

Still a bit new to modeling stuff for printing but its the key skill set you need if you own a 3D printer.

[epapp]

I have tried that a few times for the rollbar covers. It works okay but requires tons of time to get right. I have one small printed chunk that fits well but it accounts for 15% of the whole job.

[grc0456]

If you 3D guys can figure this out, there will be a lot of people happy to buy these.


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[particlewave]

I hate to be a buzzkill, but a part like this will not print or hold up well.

I always thought that it would be easy enough to to make simple molds and bend some out of perforated sheet metal. You could even get creative with the perforations.

[Nine8Six]

That is one of those limitation of the 3D printers, I know I have an ARM-10 here that was given to me by a friend who had to leave China in a hurry. Unfortunately it worked twice for me ('effectively' anyway) minus the poor surface finishes. And they just take forever to print out :/ Nice to get a part done for yourself if you are not in a rush but for a production run, one would need to machine a injection mold for that particular part. Those mold normally cost in the 'many' thousand of dollars unfortunately.

I think Charles got the answer. I cutting & forming die would both be 1000x easier (and cheaper) to machine in steel. I think there is something nice to make out of the material that Charles posted above. E.g. nice and thin metallic mesh (Italian supercar style). yummy