trackball

Trackball Mezzanine PCBs

These are the mezzanine PCBs that connect the Adafruit QT Py (SAMD21) MCU, MrJohnK PMW3389 optical sensor breakout (available on Tindie as of 2022), simple components for the haptic feedback motor and pads for capacitive pickup wiring. This PCB allows for easy mounting inside the case for most components as well as a ground plane to help with the capacitive pickup interference. These are simple 2-layer PCBs that made with KiCad6 and includes a few custom footprints/symbols for the haptic motor. These can easily be fabricated through OSHPark, JLCPCB, etc. Original prototypes were fabricated by OSHPark and the gerber & hole files were exported from KiCad6 with OSHPark guidelines.

Dual Optical Sensor PCB

Currently work in progress

This mezzanine PCB supports 2 optical sensor breakout boards being tested on a new case design. This leverages the PMW3389DM-T3QU or PMW3360DM-T2QU breakout boards from MrJohnK. Having the second optical sensor enables detecting horizontal ball movement (like a flat spin) to enable scroll/wheel events. This is specifically designed to work with the current case design detecting movements off a radial ball bearing for 1 sensor (scroll) and the trackball itself (x, y cursor movement).

Single Optical Sensor PCB

This mezzanine PCB supports a single optical sensor breakout and is good for a dedicated trackball or dedicated scrollball. This allows for a smaller case design, but made with using a 50mm or larger ball.

Assembly of the first print:

Credits, Attribution and Inspiration

• MonroeWilliams' Trackball project
• jfedor2's multiple trackball projects