The Compact Kitchen Console is perfect for those who need to maximize the use of their counter top space. It's my entry into the First Build/Thingiverse Countertop Challenge.

It includes:

+ Reclining Recipe Book/Tablet stand (30, 45, and 60 degrees)
+ Expandable Platforms for 11.4" of additional counter top space (total horizontal space of up to 22" , resulting in 154 cubic inches of work space)
+ Digital Weighing Scale
+ Digital Kitchen Timer
+ Cuisine Selector (it's like "spin the wheel" for those who can't decide what to eat!)
+ Drawer Compartment

##VIDEO DEMO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8va4W8fm5g

##FEATURE DETAILS:

Reclining Recipe Stand
The recipe stand has a kickstand behind it that lets you choose between 30, 45, and 60 degree viewing angles. It can recipe books (big and small), iPads/Tablets, your cellphone, etc.

Extendable Platforms
There are two extendable platforms that add 5.71" of table top space each for a total additional counter top space of about 22 inches. There are rotating arms underneath that hold the platforms securely in place so they don't collapse. The platform is about 10" high, so you have plenty of room to put things underneath as well! This way, the Compact Kitchen Console doesn't take up a very large foot print on your counter top.

Digital Weighing Scale
The weighing scale has a weight capacity of 6.6 lbs and can measure as little as 0.1 oz. It uses a load cell to measure weight.

Digital Kitchen Timer
The kitchen timer has stopwatch and countdown functions so you can keep track of how long your food is cooking.

"Spin The Wheel" Cuisine Selector"
The "Spin The Wheel" Cuisine Selector lets you write down your favorite types of food and then give it a quick spin to see what it lands on. I've found myself pacing around the room for 2 whole hours trying to figure out what to eat (no joke, don't judge!). Hopefully this will fix that!

Drawer Storage Compartment
Lastly, there is a storage compartment underneath. If the Compact Kitchen Console is in a central area, it may be a convenient place to put a post-it note grocery list, your rings (while cooking), or anything else you want quick access to in the kitchen.

##DIMENSIONS (approximate):
Collapsed: 10" wide x 7" deep x 11" tall
Fully expanded with recipe stand completely upright: 22" long x 7" deep by 18" tall.
Counter top foot print: 5.7" L x 5.2" W

##PLASTIC USED:

~1.2 kg (2.65 lb) of PLA

The STL files are already oriented the way they should be printed.

If you have specific questions, please post a comment! I can also upload instructional pictures upon request.

##Print Settings:
Print with the settings of your choice. I used MakerBot Desktop's PLA LOW RESOLUTION settings*:

Layer Height: 0.3mm
Infill: 10%
Rafts: NO
Supports: YES (not everything will require supports, but this setting ensures MakerBot Desktop will add them when necessary)

*The exception to this is Build Plate #5: LCD Panel Faceplate. Print this one in STANDARD resolution or better (0.2mm layer height). I discovered that printing in low resolution would not allow the weighing scale's LCD to be screwed securely in place.

##Minimizing Warping/Curling:

Some of the parts are quite large, so there is a risk of warping/curling (even with PLA plastic). I recommend you apply Blue Painter's tape DIAGONALLY on your build plate, NOT horizontally (see picture). The diagonal orientation makes a huge difference, and is how I got all my parts to print very flat.

##CONNECTOR on Build Plate #5:
Since the LCD Panel's back plate may be too long to fit some printers (I was have the original Replicator Dual which has a maximum build length of 220mm), the back plate is cut in half. On the same build plate, there is a connector piece that joins the two halves together and holds them in place without the need for glue.

##CONNECTORS on Build Plate #6:
Just like the LCD Panel's back plate, the Front plate is also cut in half. The connector piece printed on this build plate will join them together. Before joining the pieces, please remember to insert the cylindrical rod and octagon shaped object from Build Plate #9 into this face plate. Those two pieces make the Cuisine Selector work!

Additionally, you'll notice this build plate has a piece that holds the Timer's circuit board in place. I had to borrow some screws from the Weighing Scale to screw this into place. Be careful not to screw it in too tightly or there won't be enough room for the Timer's buttons to be clickable.

##PINS and CONNECTORS from Build Plate #9:
The long pins fit in the hinges that connect the extendable platforms. The shorter pins (all the same size) go everywhere else.
The kickstand does not need pins. Instead, just insert 1.75mm 3D printing filament (I recommend PLA) and it works perfectly! The cylindrical pole and octagon shaped object fit into the LCD faceplate (Build Plate #6) to make the Cuisine Selector work.

##OPTIONAL DUALSTRUSION:
I used dual color printing via the MakerBot Replicator 1 Dual to print the buttons on the LCD Panel. As you'll see with the attached STL files, you don't need to do this. The single color buttons have the appropriate text engraved already.

##Non-3D Printed Parts:
The load cell and LCD were removed from: http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Compact-Digital-Scale-Red/dp/B00J963J6S

The kitchen timer components were removed from: http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-5842-21-Mini-Digital-Timer/dp/B006TG4QL8

The housing for all of the circuity was completely re-designed from scratch so it would fit as one panel. Additionally, I created a custom battery pack within the LCD panel to hold 3 AAA batteries. Two of the batteries are in series and supply 3V to the weighing scale, and the remaining battery supplies 1.5V to the kitchen timer.

##SOURCE FILES:
I have uploaded a "SOURCE FILES ZIP" that includes:
+The original Blender file used to design everything
+All the individual STL files in case you want to print a specific part rather than use my pre-made build plates on thingiverse