[posted] Custom gem stone Trackball

[Jeff Pearson]

Custom Trackball using Teensy++2, ADNS2051 mouse sensor from Apple mouse, amethyst ball approx 2 1/4", and Seimitsu arcade buttons. Using a Teensy++2 because eventually will recreate the PantherXL. Right now working on Trackball portion of what will be mouse and custom joystick
https://youtu.be/qrzSlyn0X_4
Next will add the little joystick module for horizontal and vertical scrolling
Using .125" silicon nitride balls for Trackball suspension...works great, better than factory suspensions of Trackballs I have used

[Jeff Pearson]

I modded one of the Seimitsu buttons with a couple 3mm white LEDs I had on hand. I don't like the look, so will wait until I get 3mm purple LEDS. 5mm LEDs will fit in the normal size Seimitsu buttons, but I also have a couple small buttons.

[pictographer]

That looks really cool!

Was wondering about using an RGB LED for status/progress/modes, etc.

[Jeff Pearson]

I would have been totally lost without the Arduino IDE software. I do have a question. Here is a page from the ADNS2051 data sheet. How do I send the configuration to the ADNS2051. Specifically, I want to make sure the RES is set to 800 counts per inch, and would like to set Sleep to Always awake. What is the line of code to put in the sketch. Thank you in advance

[Jeff Pearson]

I was going to get a blue translucent ball so that it would glow purple with the red sensor light. Then a friend got me the amethyst ball for Christmas for this project, so I decided to add blue to the red sensor light to make purple. It ends up being a neat effect with the gem stone. Some of the red and blue mixes to make purple, and some doesn't depending upon how the light bounces around. It ends up being like a color change ball, because the mix of red purple blue changes with every move.My #1 design criteria was functionality, but it did end up looking really cool. Thanks

[Robin]

Nice project. This went up on our blog today.
https://www.pjrc.com/gem-stone-trackball/

[cyrilhl]

hi jeff, I am planning to make a trackball too, and i ordered some silicon nitride balls, could you please share some idea to setup the balls to make the ball roll smoothly.
Thanks

[Jeff Pearson]

I used pvc plumbing fitting. After trial and error finding the proper size drill bit, I drilled holes all the way through that are a tight friction fit for the silicon nitride balls, and put a dab of hot melt glue from the back once the balls where squeezed in.

[cyrilhl]

Thank you so much, this is really simple and clean solution

[Jeff Pearson]

Another vid showing what a Panther XL is and a few engineering tests of the project

https://youtu.be/BjJpdk9Z92c