Gaming Console - Prototyping Connectors & [retro] Gamepads

pinshape

Ever needed some four-way-cable connections but no USB cable handy to sacrifice? Well, why not use the prototype of the socket I created while developing a retro console based on Raspberry Pi and a 64x64 LED Matrix? It's made for simple jumper cables that you might want to secure with some hot glue to the back of the socket and plug. I've also included a wall section of my console prototype so you can see the measurements of the hole for the socket, which, if printed as per the file, doesn't require any extra glue – just push it firmly into the hole. The plug prevents wrong connections with one side fitting only the corresponding gap in the socket. While I was at it, I thought I'd also share my design for a retro gamepad (prototype), requiring a chip with 8 ins and outs, like in my case, the PCF8574, which allows up to 8 controllers using only 4 pins on your Raspberry. The thing can be easily assembled and disassembled without the need for any glue – the design holds itself in place. Buttons are designed to move along a printed axis. Parts are designed so there's no need for supports, allowing fast and smooth prints. I recommend printing with a layer height of 0.1mm...and at least some infill (10-20%). This isn't necessary except for the buttons. If you want to avoid infill, be sure to print bottom and top layers a bit longer...like 0.8 thickness. I used a Printrbot Simple Metal for the prints in the pictures.