1. Introduction

In this section, you'll get an overview of what's necessary to build the Ploopy Trackball.

By the end, you'll know the various tools required, and what components are necessary and where to get them.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This guide is ONLY meant for those who are building a Ploopy Classic trackball from scratch. If you've bought a kit from the Ploopy Store, DO NOT USE THIS GUIDE! Find the Official Ploopy Kit Assembly instructions on the Wiki homepage.

Step 1: Get the necessary tools

These are the tools you'll need to build the Ploopy Trackball. You won't need them all immediately. This is just so you know what you're getting in for.

• 2.5mm Allen key or screwdriver
• #1 Phillips head screwdriver
• A soldering iron
• Solder

Step 2: Get the necessary printed circuit boards

• Base PCB
• Vertical PCB

If you don't know how to make PCBs, we sell them! See Appendix A: Printed circuit boards for more information on how to buy them from us. There are also a few tips if you want to make your own.

Step 3: Get the necessary 3D-printed parts

From left to right:

• Top
• 3x roller bearing dowels
• Scroll wheel
• Scroll wheel holder
• Scroll wheel holder holder (holder holder holder holder...)
• Primary buttons
• PCB anchor
• Base
• Secondary buttons

If you're not sure how to print your own parts, we sell them! See Appendix B: 3D-printed parts for more information on how to buy them from us. There are also a few tips if you want to make your own.

Step 4: Get the necessary electronics components

• 1x 1734346-4 (USB-B 2.0 Receptacle Connector 4 Position Surface Mount, Right Angle)
• 3x ACML-0805-601-T (ferrite bead, 600 ohm, 0805 1LN)
• 1x AP2202K-3.3 (3.3V 150mA LDO regulator)
• 1x AP2204K-1.8 (1.8V 150mA LDO regulator)
• 1x ATMEGA32U4RC-AU (Atmel microcontroller, 44TQFP)
• 1x Atmel_ICSP (6-pin 0.100" ICSP header)
• 5x D2LS-21 (compact surface-mounting switch for long durability)
• 2x IP4220CZ6,125 (TVS diode, 5.5V, 6TSOP low capacitance, USB)
• 1x LFXTAL055663BULK (8MHz ±20ppm crystal, 18pF, 150 Ohms, 4-SMD, no lead)
• 1x SPMWH1228 (3V, 0.5W white LED, 2.8mm x 3.5mm)
• 2x PT26-51B/TR8 (phototransistor, 940nm, right angle, 1206)
• 2x XZTHI56W-1 (infrared emitter, 880nm, 1.3V, 50mA)
• 1x PMW3360DM-T2QU (optical gaming navigation sensor)
• 1x capacitor, 100pF, 100V, 0805, X5R or better
• 7x capacitor, 0.1uF, 100V, 0805, X5R or better
• 5x capacitor, 1uF, 25V, 0805, X5R or better
• 5x capacitor, 10uF, 25V, 0805, X5R or better
• 3x resistor, 0R, 0805
• 4x resistor, 22R, 1%, 0805
• 2x resistor, 100R, 1%, 0805
• 8x resistor, 1k, 1%, 0805
• 2x resistor, 10k, 1%, 0805
• 1x USB-A (male) to USB-B (male) cable of sufficient length (to connect your trackball to your computer)

Yup, you guessed it, we sell complete components kits. See Step 2 of Appendix A: Printed circuit boards if you want more information (or info on how to buy them from your favourite electronics provider).

Step 5: Get the necessary hardware

• 2x M3x12mm flat-countersunk machine screws
• 4x M3x6mm socket cap machine screws
• 6x heat-set threaded inserts
• 3x MR63ZZ roller bearings
• 2x 3mm x 18mm metal dowels
• 1x silicone ring
• 4x friction pads
• 1x 1.75" snooker ball

No surprise, we sell kits of these. See Appendix D: Hardware for how to buy them from us (or how to get them yourself, if you want.)

Optional Step: Get the tools and components to program the microcontroller

This step is only necessary if you're making your own PCBs. If you bought PCBs from us, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you'll need:

• The Arduino IDE
• An Arduino Nano
• A USB mini-B to USB A cable
• Hookup wire
• A 10uF capacitor
• A breadboard

Step 6: A note about sourcing parts

This guide will assume that you've gotten your components from us. If you've sourced your own, some parts of this guide may not make sense. You'll need to adapt the guide to suit your own components.

Step 7: Let's get going.

Once you've got all the stuff, proceed to 2. Electronics Assembly.