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Interest check in carbon fiber iPhone 4 cases?

W

willmiz

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 29, 2010
35
0
I am preparing my startup company to begin producing iPhone 4 cases for quite some time. We have some products coming down the pipeline very soon, though I am always interested in trying out new things.

There is lots of talk on the forums of carbon-fiber type cases, and I would like to see if there was any interest in an iPhone 4 case that is made carbon fiber type material. This material would not be the cheap stuff you normally see, but with a texture that can be felt (with the 3-D type pattern).

Here is what I am thinking of..

  • Price point of ~$20
  • "Back Case" style much like the iFrogz Luxe Lean

I don't have a concept on hand, though here is a picture of the carbon fiber material..

2hwdvuf.jpg


If produced, would any of you have interest? I would love to hear feedback. Thanks!
 
Would it be a case with this CF pattern or a nice (inexpensive) overlay for the back/sides? I would only be interested in the latter.
 
I'm wondering if having carbon fiber touching the external antennas would effect the signal quality. You may want to look into the RF properties of carbon fiber weave...
 
Hey guys, I am actually also looking at getting overlays produced as well. I have to test out what the best cutting technique would be, though it shouldn't be too difficult.

Also, I had the same concerns with reception and have found a way to actually help with the reception issue by using a skin ( and with a case obviously). Also looking at sourcing white carbon fiber material.

Those of you who would like an overlay- would you want the apple logo cut out or covered?
 
willmiz said:
Hey guys, I am actually also looking at getting overlays produced as well. I have to test out what the best cutting technique would be, though it shouldn't be too difficult.

Also, I had the same concerns with reception and have found a way to actually help with the reception issue by using a skin ( and with a case obviously). Also looking at sourcing white carbon fiber material.

Those of you who would like an overlay- would you want the apple logo cut out or covered?
Click to expand...

Covered for me. The point of an overlay is to protect, and to have a part of the back exposed kinda defeats the purpose for me.
 
willmiz said:
Hey guys, I am actually also looking at getting overlays produced as well. I have to test out what the best cutting technique would be, though it shouldn't be too difficult.

Also, I had the same concerns with reception and have found a way to actually help with the reception issue by using a skin ( and with a case obviously). Also looking at sourcing white carbon fiber material.

Those of you who would like an overlay- would you want the apple logo cut out or covered?
Click to expand...

If you are looking to do a simple overlay, just use scissors to cut the carbon fiber. Do a wet layup on a piece of waxed glass..this will give you a super shiney side where they resin soaked through onto the glass, and more of a matte side 3d (top) where the resin has just soaked in. Let it cure and just cut it with scissors.

Using prepreg carbon fiber will just leave the matte 3d style texture on both sides.

Id like to see an actual carbon fiber case. Someone has linked to one here on the site but the thing is $100. I know it takes time and money to do it...just more than I would be willing to pay.

I did a carbon fiber overlay on the 69 Mustang Door panel inserts years ago before carbon fiber was the outrage.
carbon.jpg
 
I'd be excited about this:

Here is what I am thinking of..

* Price point of ~$20
* "Back Case" style much like the iFrogz Luxe Lean
 
I would be very interested in this! :) my car's trunk is carbon fiber and love it lol I've been hoping to find a cf case for my iPhone 4!
 
That is 3M Di-Noc. It's not carbon fiber, so don't try to advertise it as that if you do create a case with it.
 
you guys will never see a case for $20...way to much work in true carbon fiber and it just isnt feasible. Honestly the $90-100 one is a good deal. For someone to build a mold and a plug then vacuum mold it...you arent going to get much cheaper.

Heck..I wouldnt bother get the resin out for $20.
 
8mpg said:
you guys will never see a case for $20...way to much work in true carbon fiber and it just isnt feasible. Honestly the $90-100 one is a good deal. For someone to build a mold and a plug then vacuum mold it...you arent going to get much cheaper.

Heck..I wouldnt bother get the resin out for $20.
Click to expand...

He never said it would be true carbon fiber...he said "carbon fiber type"

willmiz said:
I would like to see if there was any interest in an iPhone 4 case that is made carbon fiber type material.
Click to expand...

obviously real carbon fiber would be far too expensive

also, true carbon fiber does not interfere with cell signal, so if he was to use real carbon fiber, that wouldn't be a concern
 
dccorona said:
He never said it would be true carbon fiber...he said "carbon fiber type"
Click to expand...

There's nothing about this that is actually carbon fiber, so it should be called "carbon fiber look" if he plans on selling a sticker to people and call it a case.
 
dccorona said:
He never said it would be true carbon fiber...he said "carbon fiber type"



obviously real carbon fiber would be far too expensive

also, true carbon fiber does not interfere with cell signal, so if he was to use real carbon fiber, that wouldn't be a concern
Click to expand...

Guess I misread it. That roof skin looks a lot like real carbon fiber. Fooled me
 
Cancom UK said:
Just to give our 2 pence.

Anyone looking for a Real Carbon Fibre Case can grab one at our store. The link is below.

http://www.cancomuk.com/Brand/True-...-Real-carbon-fiber-iPhone-4-case-TC-IPH4-T-FM

Sorry for piggybacking. Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...

ruthless...

for that much money I'd go with dro's new iphone 4 carbon fiber case... very nice. (not sure if their service has gotten any better though.)

Btw, just my opinion, carbon fiber is so played now dude. real or fake. And theres already a lot of nice ones out there, your gona have lots of competition but good luck nonetheless.
 
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