Experiment Conducted: SpaceMouse Demolition in the Name of Science
Title: DIY SpaceMouse-inspired 6DoF Input Device: A DIY Guide for Tech-Savvy Creatives
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and channel your inner engineer with this DIY SpaceMouse-inspired 6DoF input device project! This project combines 3D printing, microcontroller programming, and sensor integration, so fasten your seatbelts and let's dive in!
Design Your Enclosure and 3D Print
First things first – designing and 3D printing your enclosure involves using user-friendly software like Fusion 360 or Blender to create a comfortable, hand-friendly design that can house all your sensors and electronics. Print your creation using a high-quality 3D printer to ensure precision in sensor placement.
Choose and Integrate Sensors
Hall Effect sensors are your best bet for tracking movement in all six degrees of freedom. You’ll need at least three of these babies to accurately capture pitch, yaw, and roll. Carefully mount these sensors inside your enclosure for optimal movement tracking.
Pick a Microcontroller and Program
Choose a versatile microcontroller like the Seeed Xiao nRF52840 that can handle Bluetooth communication and process sensor data efficiently. Write the code to read sensor inputs, translate them into 6DoF movements, and send them to your device.
Power Up and Connect
Power your DIY SpaceMouse with a 1500 mAh cell and offer USB-C connectivity for charging, as well as data transfer if needed.
Assembly Time!
Carefully assemble all components, ensuring slot-in perfection when connecting and aligning the sensors.
Test and Customize
Test your creation using software tools, and customize it by adjusting settings to fit specific actions to your movements. Iterate on your design based on performance issues and feedback.
This DIY project requires a dash of patience and some technical expertise but offers a creative, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to commercial products like the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse. Explore DIY projects on platforms like Hackaday and TikTok for valuable resources, inspiration, and community support[1][2]!
[1] Example Project Guide on Hackaday: https://hackaday.io/project/168429-nebula-mouse
[2] TikTok DIY Project Community: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJYgrAyB/
Incorporate data-and-cloud-computing technology to record, analyze, and visualize the sensor data from your 3D printed DIY SpaceMouse-inspired 6DoF input device, enhancing its potential applications and user experience. To complement your gadget, design a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) for efficient electronic assembly, power distribution, and communication among components.
