USB 3D Print Paddles

[Vigo]

Just saw this on Thingiverse. Tempted to try it out, see how it works on some of the emulators out there. Uses a really cheap microcontroller, and the author built firmware for it.


The design needs a little love, kinda hate the button solution, but I haven't see much on paddle stuff come out other than converters.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4223937

[PL1]

The design needs a little love, kinda hate the button solution

I agree about the button. 

The designer included the SCAD files so you can modify the model using OpenSCAD.

Unfortunately, the "paddlemain-standalone.scad" code is 1240 lines long and might be difficult to modify because there are few comments explaining exactly what each part of the code is doing.

On the positive side, the variable and module names seem to be fairly clear.

Looks like the button-related code is on lines 1145-1220.
(Handy cheat-sheet here with links to the manual.)

Change parts of the code and see what part of the preview changes.   

For example, if you change line 1158 from "d = distance+horizOffset;" to"d = distance+horizOffset+5;", the button position moves 5mm toward the wire-end of the case and the four slots on the bottom lid move 5mm clockwise along the perimeter of the lip.

Not sure if it would be easier to modify this design yourself, convince the designer to add code for a second type of button, or design your own from scratch.   


Scott

[Howard_Casto]

It looks like the whole thing is based on an Atari 2600 paddle.  I like the idea of having a template available, but you can still get the originals super cheap.  Also, since the old paddles don't have any circuitry, you can get a db9 socket and hook them up to an Arduino or whatever to adapt them to the pc or whatever device you want to use them on. 

I'm just saying.... even for a cheap-skate like me sometimes it's just easier to buy the part. 

[PL1]

The original 2600 paddle case and button are great.

The potentially tricky part is that each paddle is wired as a variable resistor (2 wire) instead of a potentiometer (3 wire) like most analog arcade applications.
(see schematic here)

To use stock paddles:
- You need a firmware that measures resistance, not voltage.
  or
- Add an external resistor like this and write a firmware that translates half the possible voltage range into a full range of motion.



To use modded paddles:
- The original cable has 4 wires going into each paddle.
-- Jumper pin 8 ground from the button to one side the potentiometer. (L and R paddle)
-- Use the wire from pin 7 for 5v on the other side of the potentiometer. (L and R paddle)
-- Wiper on pin 5 (L paddle) or pin 9. (R paddle)
-- Button on pin 4 (L paddle) or pin 3. (R paddle)

This mod should work with any analog encoder. (A-Pac, U-HID, miniArcade 2.0, etc.)
-----------------------------
IIRC someone on the Atari Age forums documented the range of resistance and degrees of rotation of the original paddles.
- That info could help fine-tune the position and sensitivity of whatever firmware you develop or help you calibrate the paddle so it responds like the original.


Scott