iPad Pro M4 rugged case WITH Kickstand

After upgrading my loved iPad mini to a iPad Pro M4 I found myself looking for new cases again. I did not look for a long time as I did not find anything even closely acceptable. So I started again designing my own case. More adapting from the mini case that I have already designed.

The features and design is basically the same. I used the same M3*8 Threadforming screws (15 this time, just one more, event though the iPad is almost twice the screen size as the mini) and the same technique to fit everything together. As the iPad got so ridiculously thin, i had to come up with a way to attach and protect the pencil. The part that I call „Pencilsausage“ (don’t ask me why) connects the bottom and top parts together with the thrusty connector technique that also holds the kickstand and really adds to the grip and structural stability of the case. It feels good holding it in one hand as the bezel got a bit wider. I still hope the pencil is fine with the way it gets dragged through the sausage.

The Kickstand is in the game as well, of course. This time the hinges are a bit tighter which makes handling easier. You don’t need to cut the M2 screws this time ;) (But 8 are necessary this time). It comes in four positions for content viewing and a most upright angle all the way down to a most flat angle for typing.

The iPad is 249,7 mm in its longest dimension. Our MK3/MK4 Prusa Printers top out at 250 mm. So I cut the bottom and top in half and added dovetail connectors to fit it back together. I hope you all can get the tolerances right and it just snaps into place with a very firm and strong grip.

Protection and anti-slip is provided by the TPU bumpers.

The FaceTime camera and the sensors for FaceID, ALS and mic are conveniently placed where you usually have your hand. The cutout makes it easy to spot if you obstruct it.

As I have just upgraded I can not provide any long term observations and travel reports with it. But the few days were already very convincing to me and I did not even consider going back (maybe back to noCase, but that feels a little scary to me).

Screws:

• 14 x M3*8 thread forming screws
• 4 x M2*25 screws

Print instructions:

• The case was printed in PETG and the Bumpers in TPU
• Print the TPU parts really slow and turn on cooling (especially the small parts)
• Place the “front” of the top part on the print bed 
• Place the “back” of the bottom part on the print bed
• Print the „Pencilwurst“ part upright for added stability and round screw holes
   

Assembly instructions:

1. Print and clean all the parts
2. Snap together the two halves of the top and bottom part. Place on a hard surface and apply pressure from the top until the two parts become one.
3. Insert the „L“ and „U“ shaped TPU parts in the back of the case
4. Insert the four cross shaped hinge parts in the back of the case. Align in a way that the holes face each other
5. Place the „Pencilwurst“ between the hinges and the holes of the top part and tighten with four M2 screws. Tighten with care!
6. Open the two halves like a book
7. Insert the iPad Pro into the back of the case (take a moment to appreciate the fit)
8. Close the two halves like a book and align the screw holes
9. Insert and tighten the M3*8 thread forming screws. Tighten with care!
10. Place the Plank part with the indentation facing the hinge towards the case and screw it into place with two M2 screws
11. Place the Kick part as shown on the images and screw it into place with the remaing two M2 screws
12. Snap the 4 TPU Bumper parts into place on the edge of the case
13. Snap the holder for the Kickstand into the case. It acts as a latch to keep the Kickstand in place.
14. Done

Enjoy your new Case and feel free to give feedback. Thank you very much for printing. It means a lot to me to know that someone else is enjoying my design.