I Fixed My Problem with the PSVR2

I got the new PSVR2 headset and it has one problem and I fixed it.

Normally for projects, I’ll have the plan in place and I’ll just carry out my build plans. Instead, I want to take you through more of my process to see how I come to a final product plan.

1. PSVR2 Stand Design Planning
2. Sketching the PSVR2 Stand
3. PSVR2 Stand Prototype Materials
4. First Prototype Lesson
5. Solving PSVR2 Stand Prototype Problems
6. Readjusting PSVR2 Stand Size
7. Final Plans

1.Design Planning

There’s several things I consider while going into my design: A. Who is the consumer? B. What functions does your object need to perform? C. How do you want it to look?

A.Who is the consumer? This isn’t necessarily the “customer” and in this case the consumer is me. 

B.What Functions does your object need to perform? Storing the PlayStation VR chargers and the controller and the headset with the cord.

C.How do you want it to look? I want it to blend in with the headset – so I went with a matte white and black.

2.Sketching the PSVR2 Stand

First, I started on graph paper so I could draw out what my idea was looking like. You can really work on weeding out issues on paper before even getting started. Next, I knew I needed a place to hold the controllers and also have a way to nestle the headset over the controllers. Last, after having my sketch, I was able to take exact measurements of the PSVR and then applied those measurements to the drawing to start iterating this. 

3.PSVR2 Stand Prototype Materials

I don’t start out immediately thinking my first iteration is the final product so because of that, I’ll start my prototypes out of cardboard, coroplast, foam board, or a plastic sheet of styrene material. For this project specifically, I started the iteration out of cardboard. 

First, I traced out the shapes of the PSVR onto the cardboard to get a rough idea of how big or small the holder needs to be. And with that, prototype number 1 came to be. Next, it had the base portion which would hold the controller and charger as well as the holders for the headset. Last, from this prototype, I learned that the surfaces that the headset sits on needs something to hold the headset a bit sturdier. I also noticed that the front holder could sit a bit higher. 

4. First Prototype Lesson

From those notes, I was able to replace those elements with cut out pieces of cardboard in the new shapes. It was at that point that I realized I needed to distribute the weight of the front of the headset over more than just one piece of material. This change will allow the headset to nestle in a bit better to keep it from falling off. With that change I also had to update the base to accommodate the new front holder.

At this point I’m ready to take the iteration to some MDF to see the changes made in a harder surface. But before we do that, we need to make sure that this iteration is accomplishing the checklist of needs for this PSVR stand. By checking in with that list, I’m able to see that making it mountable and repeatable both needs attention.

5.Solving PSVR2 Stand Prototype Problems

I’m ready to cut this out of a harder material to see if we can solve the two problems that still need attention. By seeing this iteration in the MDF, I’m able to address some other issues that came up as well. We didn’t need the headset holder at the back of the stand to be mounted from the bottom, therefore I changed that to come from the back piece. Once that decision was made, I was able to do finger joints along the back to provide a strong support. 

Seeing the front pieces that will hold the front of the headset, I was able to notice that they were entirely too thick. After taking those pieces down to a one inch material, I decided we could take this prototype to the next step.

From this prototype I learned that we can cut down the amount of material that the base is to lower the cost of materials. I also realized that we could make a different holder for the front of the headset since the place that needs the thickness attention is at the top, not the bottom. 

6.Readjusting PSVR2 Stand Size

First things first: let’s cut down the material. First, I used very thin masking tape to mark the lines where I wanted to thin out the sides of the base. When it comes to the manufacturability of this product, what I would end up doing would be to take a picture of the base and take it into CAD so that it can be mirrored on the other side with duplicate lines. 

7.Final Plans

With this prototype, it’s checking all the boxes. If I want to use a CNC, we’ll use 1/2 inch MDF for everything but the holders for the headset. Next, I went into Fusion 360 and modeled out the front and back shelf holders for the headset. The piece I modeled for the front has two pins that will fit right down into the base for support. The back piece also has two holes to dowel into the back wall. 

For my final version, I used a router to cut out a bowl shape for the controller charger. First, I painted the base white to blend in with the PSVR. Next, I 3D printed the holders in black for the front and back headset holder. This stand fits the headset and checked off all the boxes of things I wanted to accomplish. 

The best part of this is that it’s super minimal, and goes right in the wall just as I like. Be on the lookout for plans!