粉絲專頁連結 初號機製作網誌

GitHub Link ProMicro setup

NaichenCon has been offering the service of custom Sound Voltex Controller for players in Taiwan since May 4, 2020. As a one-man team, I handle all aspects of the business, including preliminary design, experimentation, prototyping, and mass production. Every step of the process is a fascinating experience for me. The motivation behind this service is not for significant profits but to promote the game I love while honing my skills.

Complete products, one with custom panel style.

Complete products, one with custom panel style.

This article focuses on manufacturing technology; the selection of materials (buttons, micro switches, springs) will be discussed in a subsequent update.

Circuit


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The PCB board, designed by myself using Fritzing, is essentially an expansion board for the Arduino Pro Micro. For each set of BT, FX, and Start buttons, the 4P terminals are configured for button signal input, GND, and the positive and negative poles of the button light respectively.

The rotary encoder connections consist of 5V, GND, Phase A, and Phase B. The yellow part in the diagram represents the Ground Fill, which is all connected to GND.

This is the latest version, with a reset button for the Arduino located at the top-left corner. This enables preliminary user troubleshooting in case of firmware malfunctions.

The actual product adopts a design where the female port faces up, as shown in the following images.

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Button, Encoder


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To enhance the quality of the button wires, I refrained from using commercially available common version wires. Instead, I produced a set of button wires offering improved quality and greater ease of installation and disassembly.

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    ↑ The square button set, measuring 60*60mm, after assembly

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The encoder I use is a dedicated 600-line 5V model, costing approximately 200 TWD each. The knob cap used is approximately 30mm in diameter and height. Do remember, a hex key is required to secure the knob cap.

For those intrigued by the code for the rotary encoder, you can refer to my GitHub. One notable feature is the utilization of the Encoder.h library, which simplifies obtaining the direction of the encoder rotation.

GitHub Link

Case Fabrication, Assembly


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The panel holes were all meticulously designed using 2D drafting software, then cut out of 3mm acrylic and wood panels respectively. The image above is the cutting diagram for the acrylic panel. The dimensions were sourced from the internet. Minor adjustments were made to fit the size of the controller, without affecting gameplay experience.

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The case is composed of a 420260mm front and bottom, 26070mm short sides, and 420*70mm long sides, all crafted from 9mm medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Though MDF is less water-resistant and heavier, it effectively absorbs the sound produced by the button feedback, and it's also cost-effective. I use carpenter's glue for assembly, which yields excellent results — a single bottle can last up to ten years.

The image above displays the interior after complete assembly. Our design philosophy revolves around providing users with ample scope to customize and beautify their controllers post-purchase. Thus, our preference for minimalist aesthetics is certainly not due to a lack of design skills. Honestly D:

Test