This Modular Monitor Stand System was inspired by a need for dual monitors in over-under orientation for a programmer seeking a 6 monitor workstation in the early 2010s .
At that time Amazon.com was not flooded with them , the options available were expensive, and they were inflexible. The desktop solutions all had oversized bases and heavy duty components intended to meet all monitor size needs. The desk edge and wall mounted setups were over built and not convertible, modular or interchangeable with desktop solutions. The gas arms were not remotely an affordable option back then and they still are not great for limited space and places where desks are pushed against walls.
The basic design goal was to make something others could make themselves with a trip to the hardware store.
The advanced design goal was to attempt to build Dual Monitor Stands in a way that was modular, mounting base independent, adjustable for monitor size specific needs, and made from parts available at the local hardware store with minimal to no custom manufacturing, welding, or specialty materials.
The prototype designs met the requirements of all hardware store sourced items, but they just barely worked and nothing was ergonomic. Plyers and screwdrivers were required for all adjustments. A second generation was built for a local Acupuncture Office . They were better looking, but still not something that was overly user friendly or sellable.
A goal was then set to try to make a marketable product while holding to a "readily available components" mantra as much as possible.
What came out is an extremely useful, flexible and modular design system with an ability to mix and match parts and pieces in creative ways no other system does at this time.
The ideal monitor mounting plate for these solutions is something we suggest buying. It's a low cost, cnc machined part made made from an aluminim and platic composite material repurposed from the sign industry. There is no better material than that for this application at this time. That replaced galvanized electrical box covers that had to be custom drilled and lacked flex when needed.
Other than that, all other items are purchase and resell items without and with minor modifications with standard and lower cost custom tooling.
Buy from us, buy from others, build yourself. This is an example of a cost based consumer centric engineering project. Support us if you can.
A monitor stand assembly should be thought of in three parts:
Mounting Plate Assembly - there are currently FOUR standard monitor play assembly options. One with no up and down tilt, and three others that offer up and down tilt with increasing strength and flexibility.
Post Assembly - Posts are either "telescoping" or "non-telescoping".
Base Assembly - The bases that work with post assemblies include desk mount ( tubular, block, other substrate), desk edge mount, or wall mount. They may accomodate a straight connection with the post or they may have elbows and offsets in them
Monitor Mounting Plate
Our Monitor Mounting Plate is made from a structural plastic clad with colored aluminum.
Our standard color is black but it is available in other colors.
It has VESA 75x75 and 100x100 mm holes and three other holes.
It ships with qty 4, m4x10mm screws that meet many but not all needs.
The plate can be trimmed or cut with tin snips if the plate is not quite the right size or overlaps something it should not.
The plate can be bent and flexed to accommodate the mounting bolt head and washer that will be facing the monitor.
Monitor Mounting Bracket
Our Mounting Brackets are designed to connect the mounting plate to 3/4" EMT (electrical metallic tubing) but a shim can be used for mounting to 1/2" EMT and other smaller tubing.
3 axis - We have a simple 3 axis bracket that allows for easy positioning 1) up and down 2) left and right and 3) tilt left/right. It does NOT accommodate tilt up / down. You could use two spread apart for heavy loads.
4 axis - We have 4 axis bracket that accommodates 1) up and down 2) left and right and 3) tilt left/right and 4) tilt up / down.
Locks - You can then add a lock to to the 4 axis bracket if needed to hold a position for heavy loads (but you lose the tilt flexibility). You can use two locks instead of a bracket for really heavy loads or those you want maximum adjustability with the least finger energy.
NOTE: other systems with modular plates allow for the monitor and plate to be removed from the bracket. Ours does NOT allow for that. The entire mounting plate assembly has to be removed from the post. in practice we do not view this is a negative or drawback.
There are two standard post assembly configurations:
There is a single post with fitting or threads at the bottom for connection to a base
There are telescoping posts (two posts with one nested inside the other) with a locking telescoping coupling AND a fitting or threads at the bottom of the inner post for a connection to a base.
NOTE: The post material we suggest is 1/2" and 3/4" EMT. There are other telescoping options including copper tubing. There are other non-telescoping options including PVC (schedule 40 or schedule 80), CPVC, black or galvanized pipe, etc.
Monitors can be mounted many ways:
Free Standing Bases
Edge Mounting Bracket on Desks
Through Mounting on Desks / other material
Wall Mounting
Floor Mounting
Other methods