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Author Topic: New Trackball Design for easier installation  (Read 15334 times)

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StefanBurger

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New Trackball Design for easier installation
« on: January 13, 2020, 05:56:39 pm »
Hi there,
I always wanted that installation of a trackball is as easy as installation of Arcade Buttons.
So I created the following design:

javeryh

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2020, 06:44:44 pm »
Holy crap!  That's so awesome I can't believe I have't seen something like this before. Does the exposed lip come in black?

Soooo.... if I was thinking of buying one how would I go about that?

leapinlew

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2020, 07:04:29 pm »
Love it - fantastic work!

EwJ

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2020, 08:24:00 pm »
Brilliant !

When/where do we send $$?
When is the 3" model to be announced?

yotsuya

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2020, 09:16:57 pm »
Do you have a video of it working with a computer?
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

JDFan

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2020, 09:29:20 pm »
Have you patented the design - would hate to see it ripped off by some Chinese manufacturer - It will most likely be a good seller if it works as good as it looks like it should ! :cheers:

Gilrock

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2020, 09:45:24 pm »
Did you 3D print all the parts?  Nice design work!

pumaconcolor

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2020, 06:11:50 am »
OMG where have you been all my life?  Put it up for sale somewhere and I will buy at least a couple!   :cheers:

J_K_M_A_N

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2020, 07:04:03 am »
I would buy one also. The small footprint is perfect for a bartop.  :cheers:

J_K_M_A_N

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2020, 12:21:52 pm »
Sign me up.. I will totally buy this.

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2020, 01:23:03 pm »
That's great.  I'll take two.  :) 

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2020, 01:35:59 pm »
One of those "why has none thought of that before?" moments

Bravo sir. Bravo.

StefanBurger

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2020, 01:44:51 pm »
Thank you so much guys for your great feedback! Really aporeciate ir!

Unfortunately I‘m lacking of skills, experience, right connections and time to make this a comercial product.
Maybe I just publish the design files so everyone can just build some on their own.

What do you think?

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2020, 02:14:52 pm »
Sounds like maybe you could sell the design (if you get a patent on it). You should maybe look into that or possibly contact GGG or Andy at Ultimarc and try and work out a deal. It is a great idea IMO.

J_K_M_A_N

Mike A

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2020, 02:24:43 pm »
Or he could go with his original thought and just release the files.

The good will generated will far outweigh the couple of bucks he might squeeze out of it.

JDFan

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2020, 02:25:40 pm »
Thank you so much guys for your great feedback! Really aporeciate ir!

Unfortunately I‘m lacking of skills, experience, right connections and time to make this a comercial product.
Maybe I just publish the design files so everyone can just build some on their own.

What do you think?

Sent you a PM - There are others out there that have developed products for the A1U machines that have already gone through the process of getting things into production that might be able to either get you into contact with those needed or that might be willing to work with you on getting it produced - I really think this is a product that could sell - (mainly because of the way it makes installing the trackball process - as that is what makes it hard to do currently with the need to route out panels and use mounts etc. rather than just drilling a single hole into the panel - so would think if it was made available it would sell.

If you don't want to spend the time to make it a commercial product that's understandable but think you are missing an opportunity - as it is definitely an interesting idea.

Or he could go with his original thought and just release the files.

The good will generated will far outweigh the couple of bucks he might squeeze out of it.

Or someone else will take those files and start selling them and making those couple bucks anyway since most people will not be able to make their own or will want to pay someone else to make it for them.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2020, 02:28:41 pm by JDFan »

Mike A

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2020, 02:35:52 pm »
That is always the problem when you do something good. Somebody will take advantage of it.

I choose not to live my life worrying about that.

Fixating on monetizing everything you do will turn you into one of those YouTube ---uvulas---. They can't take a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- without figuring out if they can make a buck filming it.

yotsuya

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2020, 02:47:30 pm »
Still like to see a video of it working.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

empardopo

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2020, 03:24:37 pm »
Awesome!!!

How much money could cost do it myself?

Enviado desde mi MI MAX 2 mediante Tapatalk


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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2020, 04:04:32 pm »
Fixating on monetizing everything you do will turn you into one of those YouTube ---uvulas---. They can't take a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- without figuring out if they can make a buck filming it.

To be fair I think if any of us had the opportunity to make money from pooping we'd probably do it.   ;D

StefanBurger

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #20 on: January 14, 2020, 04:09:20 pm »
Awesome!!!

How much money could cost do it myself?

Enviado desde mi MI MAX 2 mediante Tapatalk

Plastic parts.  2 €
Ballbearings.  1,20 €
Billard cue ball 2 1/4 inch  between 0,70 and 3 €
Optical USB mouse. 2 €
Custom Circuit Board 0,40 €

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #21 on: January 14, 2020, 04:55:50 pm »
Still like to see a video of it working.

Yep me too.  And still would like to know if that was 3D printed parts.  I'm impressed if 3D printed parts are spinning that nice and smooth.

StefanBurger

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #22 on: January 14, 2020, 04:59:25 pm »
Yes, those are 3d printed parts.
I try to find time for some video footage in the next days

yotsuya

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #23 on: January 14, 2020, 06:08:33 pm »
Yes, those are 3d printed parts.
I try to find time for some video footage in the next days

Excellent. I’m very impressed with the design, and  I’d like to see how it works as a practical trackball. Looking forward to it!
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

leapinlew

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #24 on: January 14, 2020, 07:05:21 pm »
I imagine some nylon inserts for the ball bearings, or maybe plastic bearings could help with the durability. I think Centipede is a good light use game and this would be fine. Not sure if the bearings or bearing housing would need to be beefed up for Golden Tee.

Overall, I love this design and can imagine how much more simple life would've been constructing the various control panels over the years.

leapinlew

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #25 on: January 14, 2020, 07:25:39 pm »
Also -

If people want to give you a few bucks, and you're willing to sell it for a few bucks, everyone wins....

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #26 on: January 15, 2020, 10:23:31 am »
Incredible!!!!!!!!! I want it!!! :-)

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #27 on: January 15, 2020, 02:24:11 pm »
The design of the trackball housing and the locking nut mechanism looks ingenious and amazing. Getting rid of the rollers should eliminate trackball drift, as well. My only potential concern is that the bezel or lip around the trackball looks like it will overhang the control panel surface by only a tiny amount.

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #28 on: January 15, 2020, 02:29:01 pm »
The design of the trackball housing and the locking nut mechanism looks ingenious and amazing. Getting rid of the rollers should eliminate trackball drift, as well. My only potential concern is that the bezel or lip around the trackball looks like it will overhang the control panel surface by only a tiny amount.

Good point. If the hole is too big or the lip too small, you could easily push it into the cab.

Hopefully the video of it in action will also show it installed.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #29 on: January 15, 2020, 08:44:49 pm »
He's done the hard part of the design though... enlarging the lip shouldn't be a problem.  I'm also wondering if maybe heavier rollers could be used to adapt the design for larger trackballs. 

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #30 on: January 15, 2020, 10:01:19 pm »
I was wondering about the rollers, too.

Does the ball roll equally smoothly in all directions, or does it roll better when pushing straight at a bearing than when pushing at an angle between bearings?

Assuming proper tilt and positioning, would substituting 8mm roller transfer bearings like these provide a more equally smooth roll in all directions?   :dunno




Scott

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #31 on: January 15, 2020, 10:25:14 pm »
I was wondering about the rollers, too.

Does the ball roll equally smoothly in all directions, or does it roll better when pushing straight at a bearing than when pushing at an angle between bearings?

Assuming proper tilt and positioning, would substituting 8mm roller transfer bearings like these provide a more equally smooth roll in all directions?   :dunno




Scott

Hoping the video of this in action will help answer these questions!
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

EwJ

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #32 on: January 15, 2020, 10:50:43 pm »
Thank you so much guys for your great feedback! Really aporeciate ir!

Unfortunately I‘m lacking of skills, experience, right connections and time to make this a comercial product.
Maybe I just publish the design files so everyone can just build some on their own.

What do you think?

Some good suggestions here.
-Larger diameter lip for the top of a control panel.
-Possible bearing improvements. 
-Contacting Randy at GGG or Andy at Ultimarc or others who know how to navigate ideas-to-prototypes-to-mass-production.  If a risk-sharing investment partnership is not in the cards,  perhaps you could arrange a small royalty on each sale or a buyout for the idea, plans, files, parts list?
You've done something brilliant here that is so much simpler and convenient to current designs that you should get at least something for it - whatever that may be.

My 2c which = 0

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #33 on: January 15, 2020, 11:47:11 pm »
I'd like to see it work too - Optical mice rely on texture to register movement.  I cue ball is pretty shiny.  I've traveled for work and hotel desks with glass tops are useless..  I have to put a notepad down as a mouse pad.. 
How did you solve that problem?
ps.  Nicely done
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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #34 on: January 16, 2020, 01:09:33 am »
Very cool, look forward to the further discussions/tests.  Great design.

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #35 on: January 17, 2020, 06:39:16 am »
I would like to buy one.

Mike A

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #36 on: January 17, 2020, 07:01:51 am »
Freakin' slow down.

A video of it playing arcade games would be a good start.

It is a nifty design, but we don't know how well it works or how durable it is.



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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #37 on: January 17, 2020, 09:28:35 am »
Just leaving a comment so I'll remember to check back on the progress of this. I love what I've seen so far.  :applaud:

StefanBurger

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #38 on: January 18, 2020, 02:10:59 pm »
Hi guys,

I finaly found time to create a demo video:


I will come back shortly to give answer to some of your questions

Note: while I'm writing this post, youtube is still uploading. May take some more minutes, so be patient please.

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Re: New Trackball Design for easier installation
« Reply #39 on: January 18, 2020, 04:36:42 pm »
Looks great!  You'll probably want to adjust the analog sensitivity in MAME so you can roll the ball more.  Most of the classics required rolling the ball quite a bit to get it across the screen.
 Loving it!