Octoprint tablet case and wireless charging dock

prusaprinters

<p>I've been slowly reworking my BLV MGN Cube 3D printer. Since I ended up repurposing the original PanelDue touch screen display, I wanted to come up with a different solution for the front display. I decided to go for a cheap 7" Android tablet, which would let me access the full Duet Web Control interface, as well as connecting to my other printers. (And play music and take pictures, I mean, why not?)</p> <p>This would<em>also</em> have the benefit of allowing me to grab the screen and take it on the go, if for example I wanted to keep an eye on my print while I was in a different part of the house!</p> <p>I wanted a clean look, though, and that meant not fussing around with plugging in a micro USB to the janky tablet connector all the time. So I got myself a Qi wireless transmitter and receiver, and integrated them into the dock.</p> <p>I also wanted a solid connection between the tablet and the dock, so I integrated pairs of neodymium magnets into the case and dock. This yields a very satisfying "thunk" when the tablet connects!</p> <p>The transmitter I used also has an abundance of bright blue LEDs to indicate charging status, so I integrated a light ring printed in transparent PETG to make it visible.</p> <pre><code>It turns out the strong magnets interfere a bit with the inductive power transmission, so after a bit of research I found that angling the transmitter board gave me a reliable connection. YMMV, though, so it might also be worth trying less powerful magnets. They're*plenty* strong as they are! </code></pre> <p>The case is printed in PLA with an inner TPU liner for shock absorption. It has a print-in-place kickstand for when it's undocked; the kickstand is held closed by a pair of press-fit 3x3mm cylinder magnets..</p> <p>Here's a rough parts list:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=B842">1/2" x 1/4" x 1/8" neodymium bar magnets (8)</a></li> <li>3x3mm neodymium cylinder magnets (2) </li> <li>wireless receiver (make sure you get the plug facing the right way for your device)</li> <li>wireless transmitter</li> <li>various M3 screws, plus M2 screws for affixing the transmitter board</li> <li>Vankyo MatrixPad S7 tablet</li> </ul> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Category: 3D Printer Accessories Summary</h3> <p>I've been slowly reworking my BLV MGN Cube 3D printer. Since I ended up repurposing the original PanelDue touch screen display, I wanted to come up with a different solution for the front display. I decided to go for a cheap 7" Android tablet, which would let me access the full Duet Web Control interface, as well as connecting to my other printers. (And play music and take pictures, I mean, why not?)</p> <p>This would<em>also</em> have the benefit of allowing me to grab the screen and take it on the go, if for example I wanted to keep an eye on my print while I was in a different part of the house!</p> <p>I wanted a clean look, though, and that meant not fussing around with plugging in a micro USB to the janky tablet connector all the time. So I got myself a Qi wireless transmitter and receiver, and integrated them into the dock.</p> <p>I also wanted a solid connection between the tablet and the dock, so I integrated pairs of neodymium magnets into the case and dock. This yields a very satisfying "thunk" when the tablet connects!</p> <p>The transmitter I used also has an abundance of bright blue LEDs to indicate charging status, so I integrated a light ring printed in transparent PETG to make it visible.</p> <pre><code>It turns out the strong magnets interfere a bit with the inductive power transmission, so after a bit of research I found that angling the transmitter board gave me a reliable connection. YMMV, though, so it might also be worth trying less powerful magnets. They're*plenty* strong as they are! </code></pre> <p>The case is printed in PLA with an inner TPU liner for shock absorption. It has a print-in-place kickstand for when it's undocked; the kickstand is held closed by a pair of press-fit 3x3mm cylinder magnets..</p> <p>Here's a rough parts list:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=B842">1/2" x 1/4" x 1/8" neodymium bar magnets (8)</a></li> <li>3x3mm neodymium cylinder magnets (2) </li> <li>wireless receiver (make sure you get the plug facing the right way for your device)</li> <li>wireless transmitter</li> <li>various M3 screws, plus M2 screws for affixing the transmitter board</li> <li>Vankyo MatrixPad S7 tablet<h3>Print Settings</h3> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Printer:</strong></p> <p>Artillery3D Sidewinder X1</p> <p><p class="detail-setting rafts"><strong>Rafts: </strong> <div><p>No</p>&lt;/div&gt;<strong>Supports:</strong></div></p> <p>No</p> <p><p class="detail-setting resolution"><strong>Resolution: </strong> <div><p>0.3 mm</p>&lt;/div&gt;<strong>Infill:</strong></div></p> <p>various</p> <p><strong>Filament:</strong> various various various <br/> <p class="detail-setting notes"><strong>Notes: </strong> </p><div><p>Printed in:</p>* Atomic Dark Cherry Red PLA</div></p> <ul> <li>grey PETG</li> <li>black TPU</li> <li><p>clear PETG<br/> Everything was printed at 0.3 mm layer height, using a 0.6mm nozzle with 3 perimeters.</p> <h3>Post-Printing</h3> <p>To connect the Qi receiver, I pulled off the adhesive plastic case to expose the bare PCB and flat charging cable. I desoldered the flat cable, and added a short extension to allow me to place the coil and circuitboard in the center of the case. I also trimmed off the excess material around the coil and board with a pair of flush cutters. The magnet slots are a tight press fit, so I used a block of wood and a hammer to seat them.</p> <p>For the transmitter, the small LED board comes wired to the USB port breakout, and thus is solidly let whenever power is connected. I desoldered the LED cables from the USB breakout, and resoldered them to the LED+/- solder pads on the primary board. This lets the breakout LEDs pulse during charging.</p> </li> </ul></p></p>