It is necessary to design a holder system for catalog photography of a large number of jewelry items (over 300 pairs). The main goal is to minimize retouching time. The mounts should be as thin and inconspicuous as possible while providing a clear fixation of the items at specified angles.
System Composition:
The system should consist of two parts:
- Base holder (stand): A G-shaped structure (height ~10 cm), which will be printed on an FDM printer (possibly the holder head can be printed on SLA for positioning accuracy).
- Replaceable cartridges (item holders): Thin transparent! elements that insert into the base. They will be printed on SLA (photopolymer).
Technical requirements for cartridges (SLA printing):
- Material: Transparent photopolymer. The shape should be as simple (flat) as possible to avoid unnecessary light refractions.
- Thickness: The main working part — from 0.2 mm to 1.3 mm (in the areas of holes for strength).
- Legs: Width up to 2-2.3 mm. Leg length ~25 mm (so that the base of the stand does not get into the frame).
- Holes: Diameter 1 mm for earring pins.
- Variability (Need to develop several types of cartridges):
* For parallel arrangement of earrings.
* With angles of rotation for one or both earrings (45°, 60°, 90° relative to the shooting axis).
* With different distances between the centers of the holes: narrow (18-20 mm) and wide (28 mm).
* Universal holder for pendants (central mount).
Technical requirements for the base (FDM printing):
* Design: Rigid G or P-shaped frame.
* Mounting system: Slots or holes for quick cartridge changes (replacement in 2-3 seconds).
* Reliability: The cartridge must fit tightly, not wobble, and not sag or bend under the weight of the item; it may be possible to make ribs for rigidity (although this will add unwanted refractions).
Alternative Implementation Option (Plug-Matrix System)
As an option, I am considering a more flexible modular system. Instead of solid P-shaped plates, a base with a "matrix" of holes and separate thin plugs for each earring can be made.
The essence of the idea:
* Base (FDM): On the upper bar of the holder, we make a series of holes spaced a few millimeters apart and holes at various angles. This will allow me to set any distance and angle between the earrings (18 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm) simply by rearranging the plugs in different slots.
* Replaceable plugs (SLA): Each earring is attached to its own separate thin transparent "nail".
Why this might be better:
* Maximum versatility: One stand fits everything — from tiny studs to massive pendants.
* Accuracy for the catalog: The item is always fixed in one position, does not wobble, and does not sag.
* Savings: If one thin holder breaks, there is no need to redo the entire structure — just print a new small plug.
It is important for me that you think through the geometry of this connection: the plug must fit tightly, without play, and always to the same depth so that the earrings in a pair are at the same level.
That is, once you attach the earring/pendant to the cartridge - we should be able to photograph it at different angles relative to the camera, simply by changing the hole into which it is inserted.
