Mouse

This mouse features 3D printed upper and lower housings that enclose electronics extracted from an $8 store-bought mouse. The shape is motivated in part by clay-based form-finding and in part by the dimensions and functional requirements of the electronics. The final product is comfortable and has all accuracy and crispness of a regular mouse.

Notable Features

Compliant Keys

The keys needed just the right amount of flex to make clicking crisp and effortless. To this end, they had to float 0.75 mm above the left and right buttons of the circuit board. Flex was achieved by carving out, on the underside of the upper housing, a deep, narrow channel along the desired axis.

Screw Closure

Why rely on metal screws when you can design a printable screw into the housing? This screw, being particularly wide, applies enough force by itself to firmly clamp the two halves.

Snap-Fit Feet

For a mouse to glide effortlessly, contact with the surface below must be minimized, but not so much that it causes wobble or gouging. Fitting the bill are four feet, each 0.4 mm proud of the bottom of the housing.