Game Assist Button

I made these buttons as a way for someone with limited control have an easy target to push. To make the button work, you have to push both the aluminum on the x and the base. This is why the 3D printed part is very thin, so it is easy to push both of them at the same time. Any way you push the button will always hit both targets. This is an easy way to play a game with only buttons, and the thing is, you can make as many buttons as you want!

Supplies

• Foam Core
• Aluminum Tape
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hot Glue
• Alligator Clips (9 pieces, but can use more depending on how many buttons you want)
• Tape
• Makey Makey
• 3D Prints

Foam Core - (Can usually be found at any Dollar Store, but if not) https://www.amazon.com/Board-20x30-Black-Presentation-Mounting/dp/B0C5B4R15P/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?

Aluminum Tape - https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Grade-Aluminum-Foil-Tape/dp/B0778PTNHK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

Hot Glue Gun With Glue Sticks - https://www.amazon.com/KEMAISI-Heating-Premium-Supplies-Repairs/dp/B09D6WTK3T/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?

Alligator Clips - https://www.amazon.com/WGGE-WG-026-Pieces-Colors-Alligator/dp/B06XX25HFX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

Tape - https://www.amazon.com/Transparent-Refills-All-Purpose-Glossy-Office/dp/B08QMRQXSX/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=12K7SH0204TSE&keywords=tape&qid=1699294434&sprefix=tap%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Makey Makey - https://makeymakey.com/products/makey-makey-kit

3D Print Links - https://a360.co/45Hziku (6 of these are needed) ______ https://a360.co/45Ig12q (One of these are needed)

Contoller Tester - https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/

Makey Makey Re-mapper (in case you want to) - https://makeymakey.com/pages/remap

Step 1: Cut Foam Core

In my design, the foam core is cut in this shape. But again, you can make it into any shape you want. This will serve as the base and ground for the connection. If the foam board isn't big enough for the shape measurements given, you can always hot glue pieces together.

Big rectangle side measurements: 31 centimeters

Top: 43 centimeters

Cut 9 centimeters in

Small rectangle sides: 21 centimeters

Bottom: 24.2 centimeters

Step 2: Aluminum Covering

I don't have a picture for this step, but it's pretty easy. All you have to do is cover up the whole board with aluminum tape. Make sure that there are no spaces without aluminum tape or else the ground connection won't work.

Step 3: 3D Printed Parts

This part is also self explanatory. You need to make the 3D printed parts. Here are the links to the files for the parts.

https://a360.co/45Hziku : These are the main buttons, and for my design you need six. But you can make more.

https://a360.co/45Ig12q : This is for the space bar button. You don't have to use this one, you can just use another normal one if you want. You would only need one of these.

NOTE: If you can, maybe try to not use the squiggle. On my project, it didn't always work so well. So try to stick with just using more of the x's.

Step 4: Glue on 3D Printed Parts

This step is also very self explanatory, but make sure that the x's are placed far enough apart so that it won't be accidentally pressed with another one. Hot glue will be the best, as it will stick and stay on the board.

Step 5: Aluminum Covering Pt. 2

Cut aluminum in the shape of the 3D printed parts. Make sure that it only covers the top, it can't wrap around or else the controller won't work.

NOTE: It is very important that the aluminum on the x's only covers the top of the x and doesn't touch the main aluminum structure. Take the picture as an example, you can see that there is only a thin strip of aluminum on the x's, there is even a small strip on non taped 3D printed material around the aluminum covering.

Step 6: Cut Holes

In order for the alligator clips to clip to the top covering, we have to cut a hole in the ground base. Make sure the hole is cut also under the 3D printed part, so the bottom of the alligator clip won't accidentally touch the ground base aluminum.

Step 7: Alligator Clips for the X's

Plug in the alligator clips. Ensure that the alligator clip only grabs the 3D printed part and only touches the aluminum on top of the 3D printed part.

Example picture is shown of what it should look like in the bottom.

Step 8: Taping

There isn't a picture for this step, but its pretty straightforward. To manage the cables so it won't be a mess, first tape pairings of two together, then tape those pairings to other pairings, until you end up with one big piece. Try to make sure that the alligator clip cables are long enough to do this.

But while you are doing this, be sure to label the cables so you know which cable is which.

Step 9: Connecting to the Makey Makey

After this you will want to connect the buttons to the Makey Makey. This you can do in any way you want and in any order you want to. The reason for the 7 buttons is that you will have many options for which buttons you want to be which.

To connect the buttons, just attach the alligator clip, that isn't attached to an x, to one of either the arrows or circles on the Makey Makey.

Step 10: Connecting the Ground

To connect to the Makey Makey, just grab two separate alligator clips and connect them to the bottom metal part of the Makey Makey.

Now to connect it to the ground/base, you will connect one to the top of the board, and the other one to the bottom of the board. This will ensure that the ground/base is fully conductive all the way around.

Step 11: Finished!

You have now finished your newly conductive game controller. If you want somewhere to test it out, here is a link to a piano sampler.

https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/

Step 12: Check That Buttons Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZLA3naAoOc

Here is the link to show that the buttons are working. In order for the buttons to work.