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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: nordemoniac on October 13, 2011, 07:30:06 am

Title: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: nordemoniac on October 13, 2011, 07:30:06 am

Hi!

I'm thinking of trying out a new spinner project. This is supposed to be a low-cost/no-cost project.
Everyone can find a optical mouse laying around which they are not using. How about "inverting" the use of the mouse. Have the mouse stationary, and move the mousepad instead? F.ex. using a harddrive plate (works well as a fly-wheel) from a harddrive, and mount the mouse so that the optical sensor is hitting the outermost part of the harddrive plate? In theory the mouse would move a bit up or down when doing this (because it's a disc rotating), is that a problem? Is it possible to restrict the mouse to only go perfectly right or left? Anyways, 90% or more of the movement will be sideways.

This is just an idea I'm throwing out there. I need some opinions.
A "mouse" which will be perfect for this project is the finger mouse from dealextreme (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/novel-3d-optical-finger-mouse-9501)

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: drventure on October 13, 2011, 07:54:08 am

Since a spinner would really only be driving 1 direction, even if you get a slight drift in the other direction, it won't matter because Mame won't be using that direction anyway.

Cool idea. I'd like to see how it turns out.

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: RetroBorg on October 13, 2011, 08:26:45 am

Check this out:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50654.0;attach=41244;image)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50654 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50654)

And this one:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=170819)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395)

Another one here:

(http://www.theidolsofthetribe.com/jim/photos/circle_k/profile.jpg)

http://www.theidolsofthetribe.com/jim/pages/spinners.html (http://www.theidolsofthetribe.com/jim/pages/spinners.html)

Plus this one:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=113528.0;attach=170857;image)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206904#msg1206904 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206904#msg1206904)

Hope they give you some good ideas.

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: Nephasth on October 13, 2011, 08:53:52 am

Quote from: RetroBorg on October 13, 2011, 08:26:45 am

And this one:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=170819)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395)

 :D Didn't expect to see my crude mock up used as an example this morning.

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: nordemoniac on October 13, 2011, 08:54:52 am

Thank you! Nice inspiration for my hack!

Seems like I must get better in searching the forums.

Still new around MAME, but me and a friend is planning to build a cabinet (on budget). That's why I'm thinking about a solution for a spinner. What's arkanoid without it?  ;)
Btw: Supported the site by buying the book :)

Will post here when I get further in the project.

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: Green Giant on October 13, 2011, 10:49:27 am

Quote from: Nephasth on October 13, 2011, 08:53:52 am

Quote from: RetroBorg on October 13, 2011, 08:26:45 am

And this one:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=170819)

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113528.msg1206395#msg1206395)

 :D Didn't expect to see my crude mock up used as an example this morning.

I thought by definition a crude mock up must utilize cardboard.

That is more like an early revision.

Title: Re: Simple spinner with optical mouse + a round plate (HDD)
Post by: Nephasth on October 13, 2011, 11:10:24 am

Quote from: Green Giant on October 13, 2011, 10:49:27 am

I thought by definition a crude mock up must utilize cardboard.

That is more like an early revision.

Meh. I just threw together something from the extra crap I had laying around the garage. I was all out of cardboard at the time. ;)