Valve Index Controllers: First Base V2

prusaprinters

<p>This is a simple, minimalistic base to set Valve's Index controllers on for storage and charging. The base measures 3.625"W x 3.625"D x 2.5"H.</p> <p>The correct charging cables must be used to work with the base properly. A small capsule-shaped flat tip is placed and left in place on the Index Controller's charging ports. Then the charging cable is brought up through a slot in the bottom of the controller into each controller's cradle area. Once above the cradle, the USB charging cable end is rotated 90 degrees and lowered back into the slot with the correct orientation matching the tip on the controllers. Excess cable is then inserted into the slots on the underside of the base unit to lock the cable in place so it isn't withdrawn when the controllers are lifted. I recommend putting a drop of superglue on the cables once you've confirmed they are inserted properly, to keep them from falling out of the channels or pulling up with the controllers.</p> <p>Those USB-C magnetic cables can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HBZ3ZH9/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o02\_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1</p> <p>Update: I've had one user say these cables also perfectly work well, but I haven't tried them myself. Another user is in the process of ordering those and will tell me their results soon and I'll update the update. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GSNBGHY/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o06\_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1</p> <p>I recommend small hemispherical self-adhering rubber feet to raise the base above your worksurface/desk/cabinet. Doing so allows the cables to run below the base. However, if a more minimal look is desired, the ends of the cable channel can be removed with a small 1/8" rat-tail file, sharp knife or soldering iron to allow the cables to exit, stacked, through the back side of the base unit.</p> <p>The base can be used in two orientations. The grips can face forward, or the arcs on the sensor arms could face forward. The former reverses the handing on the controls, the latter preserves the handing. Note, these controllers cannot be inserted into the base without removing them from your hands first, due to the way they sit on the base to minimize the footprint size of the base unit and controllers.</p> <p>One model has a 1" diameter Index logo recess on it. Laser cut 1" diameter disks can be inserted into the face of the model, with 1" diameter hemicircles used to complete the Valve Index logo on the face and rear of the base. The other base has a smooth front and back on it, allowing for application of paint/decals or easier printing.</p> <p>Update: Per requests, I've added three logo options to print separately and adhere into the recessed Valve Index logo space: Logo_Flat, Logo_Hemisphere, and Logo_Lens. (Thingiview shows the faces as polygons, but the STL file shows them as smooth, so they should print as smooth, spherical surfaces, not as polygons - though that looks pretty cool!)</p> <p>Update 07152019: I'm working on another base that is more of a "holster" type of base where the controllers are placed in a more natural manner to how they are worn. If the current layout of these doesn't work for you in the V2, then stay tune to this Thingiverse site for a different version.</p> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Category: Computer How I Designed This</h3> <p>The cradle forms were derived from the release of high-res modeling files courtesy of Valve Corporation, through their "Deep Dive" white paper website.</p> <p>The models were made in AutoCAD and exported to STL format by AutoCAD.</p> <p>Be aware that there are two issues some users have found in using the file. For some, an error was occurring in their slicer because of a number rounding issue. The original item was designed in inches, but then scaled up by a factor of 25.4 to convert it to mm. Doing so will result in some values for the object that may require some minor adjustments on your slicer's end. The other issue is that on the logo model, some thinner parts may show up as errors as well.</p> <p>That said, several people have plotted it without any issues, so I'm comfortable releasing it for public use on this day, July 13, 2019.</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> <h3> Thank You</h3> <p><strong>My thanks to...</strong></p> <p>Danny M. and Todd A. for their assistance and printing the part. The good people in the Valve Index discord, especially Travis, for your feedback and initial testing and support.</p>