Catalog

The original Pebble Covers are available for the Pebble Classic smartwatch!!

Pebble Covers Version 2 are now available with a more consistent and smooth finish at www.Shapeways.com/shops/PebbleCovers

Buy Version 2
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The most popular design made to match the shape of your Pebble, and it snaps-on at all four corners for ultimate protection and security. The only design that DOES need to be removed for charging.

Buy Version II

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A flat design with edges that slope down at an angle. It does not need to be removed for charging.

Buy Version II

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A design with straight left and right sides and a curved top and botom to mimic the form of the Pebble. It does not need to be removed for charging.

Buy Version II

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The original design with a flat, square surface and four straight edges. It does not need to be removed for charging.

Buy Version II

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The only circle face design. Mainly for aesthetic purposes. Does not need to be removed for charging.

Version II
Not Available

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Grab a watch band loop to match your cover. Should fit any standard 22mm x 2.45mm mm watch band. Unique design allows the loop to snap-on without removing the band from the watch.

Version II
Not Available

Story

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Soon after I received my Pebble Watch, I wanted to create a mod and start personalizing.

I initially wanted to develop some apps but the Software Development Kit had not been released. I had some experience with 3D printing from my high school robotics team and started playing with some ideas and designs for a 3D printed snap-on cover.

Since I didn't own my own 3D printer, I sent the designs to a friend that printed several samples. Everybody that saw the covers loved the idea. I was already familiar with Kickstarter as a backer and started researching how to create a project on Kickstarter. Within a month, I launched the Pebble Covers project on Kickstarter with the primary goal to earn enough money to buy my own 3D printer.

30 days later I had over $10,000 in pledges from 359 backers in 25 countries.

During the 30 days of the Kickstarter project, I was able to refine the designs, add new designs, design a complimentary snap-on watch band loop, and get my own 3D printer (a Makerbot Replicator 2).

The support of the Kickstarter community has been great and I had many requests to buy the covers after the project ended which led to pebblecovers.com.

Thank you for visiting! - Drew

Original vs. Version II

Pebble Covers are now available at shapeways.com. I printed the original version in my basement using a Makerbot Replicator II that I received after my Kickstarter project. The Makerbot is fantastic but the covers have slight imperfections and inconsistencies in the surface. More importantly, I left for college and needed to find a way to reduce the time involved with printing, packaging, and shipping Pebble Covers. Shapeways is one of the leading service providers for 3D printed items and the quality and consistency is very good.

In general, I recommend Version II but have decided (at least for now) to still offer the Original (thanks to my family helping). The Original has some additional colors and a matching watch band loop but Version II has better quality. The Original also has the Oval design which is too small for the Shapeways printing process but that is by far the least popular design.

Hover over the for more information

Original Version II
Available Colors 16 11
Material PLA Nylon
Designs 5 plus watch band loops 4 (no Oval or Loops available)
Printing Method FDM SLS
Delivery Time 5 to 10 days 2 to 3 weeks
Finish Slight imperfections characteristic of desktop 3D printing Smooth and Consistent. Polished surface available
Cost 1, 2, or 3 for $15, $28, or $36 (free US shipping) $15 each plus shipping
Online Store http:// shapeways .com /shops /pebblecovers Visit Now!

The original Pebble Covers are available for the Pebble Classic smartwatch!!

Pebble Covers Version 2 are now available with a more consistent and smooth finish at www.Shapeways.com/shops/PebbleCovers

Buy Version 2

FAQ's

Why 3D printing?
3D printing is a great option for on-demand printing, prototyping, and small batch manufacturing. I researched various options for injection molding and thermal forming but they are very expensive unless you can produce large quantities. For Pebble Covers, it's also complicated by the number of colors since each color would require a fixed price per batch. Thanks to the Kickstarter project, I have my own Makerbot Replicator 2 (learn more here) 3D printer and can print one cover in about 10 minutes with no cost or consideration for molds, setup fees, production lead times, minimum batch quantities, and inventory.
Can you connect the USB cable with the cover installed?
It depends on the cover style. The Max style does not have a cutout that allows you to connect the USB cable while all the other styles do have a cutout. You can easily connect the USB cable with the Bevel, Square, Rounded, and Oval styles. The Max style has 'arms' that extend over the 'arms' of the watch. When I tried designs with a cutout on the Max style, it was too easy to remove the cover and the cover would easily pop off if the lower left 'arm' hit an object (or caught the sleeve of a sweatshirt).
Does the Pebble Cover fit over other stickers, wraps, or screen protectors?
The cover will fit over any standard stickers, wraps, and screen protectors. I've tested this on Pebbles with Slick Wrap stickers and screen protectors, which I believe are standard thicknesses. However, if the edges of the protectors extend too far to the left edge of the watch face, it's possible that the Pebble Cover could snag or scratch the protectors during installation or removal (primarily on the left side of the watch) so extra care must be taken to position the protector correctly.
How thick is the cover? Does it add a lot of bulk?
The cover is only about 1mm thick all the way around. I've added a CAD rendering cutaway view that shows the cover from two angles and the thickness of the cover.
Will the cover scratch the face of the watch?
No. The cover is made of PLA plastic and will not scratch the face of the watch. You can view a video of my scratch test at http://youtu.be/XTZXUF559dA. The side walls of the cover that hold the cover in place and snap-on to the watch may scratch the sides of the watch but I've installed and removed covers from my watch several thousand times (maybe even more) and there is minimal marks on the left side.
How do you install a Pebble Cover?
Identify the right side of the cover (the bottom of the cover is wider than the top). Align the right side of the cover over the right side buttons. The Oval style has small walls on the top and left and it's important to make sure these are properly aligned at the same time. While holding the right side in place on top of the buttons AND pushing in towards the watch, gently push out and down in the middle of the left side of the cover (for the Max style) or the top (for all other styles). You should not need to force the cover to snap-on. If there is too much pressure, double check the right side alignment.
How do you Remove a Pebble Cover?
Place your thumb on the watch face and simultaneously gently pry up the top left corner (don't pull out, just pry up). For the Oval style, gently use your finger nail and lift up (not out) the left side edge over the left side watch button. Important: Do not slide the cover up or down to remove as this will put too much outward pressure on the side walls and weaken or break the side walls.

Videos

What Not To Do

Demonstrates how NOT to remove the cover and NOT to install the cover. The sides of the cover can break during installation and removal if not handled correctly.

Scratch Test

I was initially concernced that the plastic would scratch the watch but after installing thousands of covers on my own watch I attempted to scratch the face. Version II of the cover is made of nylon and is even softer and more flexible. The video shows the original made in hard PLA plastic.

Original Kickstarter Video

This is the video that started it all - In 90 seconds I explain the project and demonstrate the first prototypes (which then went through hundreds of refinements).

About

Contact


Drew Beller


Engineering student by day.
Tinkerer, programmer, entrepreneur by night.


drewbeller7 {at} gmail {dot} com


@drewbeller

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