Establishing bounds

First off, I want to establish exactly what I'm getting myself into, so I can design each part with eachother in mind.

My main inspiration is this cyberdeck by phillip1887

I love the retro feel of the device, and the minimalist port selection is something I could absolutely get behind for this design.

I also want to implement a full mechanical keyboard, as for my use case I want a comfortable, fast typing method.

As for the ESP-32 Marauder, I'll be copying parts of the original design and simply attaching it to my main CM5 PCB, but for other parts I'll adjust, such as adding stronger antennas and a more robust screen, as well as a direct connection to the cyberdeck via USB for control. I mostly will use this to add some fun functionality, as well as the beforementioned pentesting.

I spent about an hour researching this.

Set up project, github and ironed out idea

so basically its like those spy things with a microcontroller and like a "laser that is invisible and uses light to see if anyone passes through
if they did, it would send a signal to my computer and like idk close tabs
also i installed kicad and im thinking weather i should install fusion360 again (bcus its annyoing to set up
ok byee
P.S this is what im aiming for !

worked on CAD for the case

this took way too long lmao
I worked on this throughout the school day (thanks to my Spanish/bio teachers, the goat)
Added a cool design to the top, picked switches, 5 degree slope, and make it look cool
Also, onshape bugged out when I imported my PCB bc for some reason, each copper trace was its own object [insert crying emoji here]
played Silksong OST while working today :)
This is the top plate:

this is the full cad

This is the timer lmao

Internal Modelling

On this session, I worked more on polishing the robot. I have made a pretty significant decision to split the robot's general chassis into two parts. This way, I can have shorter 3D print times, meaning s smaller chance of print failure. To execute this, I added mounting points and connections. I also created a "fan-duct" channel. The goal is to mount a fan on the weapon motor, and while it spins the drisk weapon, the fan is also spun. The fan's air will be directed into the electronics, cooling it down.
And a quick sidenote: This project is in the middle of designing phase, and I do have a journal of past progress (I just read the FAQ on the "recently-just-begun" projects)
Combat Robot Build Log.pdf

The worst solder of my life

Soo I decided INSTEAD of ordering a pcb (expensive), I exported it from EasyEDA as a STL, and then got to working.

The holes on the print were too small, so I took a Dremel to open them up a bit, which actually ended up working quite well!

However, once I got all the pots (including the slider) in, they got stuck, so instead of soldering them normally, I soldered them right next to the heat sensitive plastic.

That was only the first issues

The second was that my solder joints WOULDNT STICK because theres no copper (bc not pcb), so I ended thinking "hmm what if I just used more pla to stick it down (big mistake)

Yeahhhhhh This SUCKS and I'm never doing it again. Luckily when I return to the workstation I will reprint and solder the second EQ module in a better way. + I'll have a case!

decided idea

Idea: Infinity conveyor printer

I wanna make my own 3D printer that can print forever, kinda like the Creality CR-30.

I also want it to have an AMS so it can switch between colors or materials automatically.

Completed My Side Desk Display 😁

This is my frst hardware project on HackClub , I'm new to all this work and got the idea to make this by ChatGPT , i started this project on 3rd October and ended on 5th October. I didn't knew abt blueprint then so i didn't made any sort of journal entry here and this is my last entry . As i'm new to pcb designing and CAD so this project took lot of efforts and also it was amazing experience . 😃

Some Context.

So here is the log of version one of this machine. I am also going to add as much of the development of v2 as well, and put the number of hours I can say definitely since grounded, because I asked and they said I could count all the hours since grounded started.

"title: "Project Ghost/ Now G1 Mini"
author: "Thomas Gile"
description: "High Speed 3d Printer"
created_at: "2024-05-22"

Current Total Time Worked On Project: 105.9 Hours

5/22/2025 Log 1: The Start

I set up my repo, the Fusion 360 docs, and the other documents I am using to track my project's development. Then I cobbled together some various parts from CAD of different projects and made a mockup of what it could look like:

Later today, I will disassemble two scrap printers and then take the parts and lay them out to see how I could optimize the frame and the metal parts that I have to work with, then I can get down to real CAD.

Time Spent: 40 Minutes

5/22/2025 Log 2: Extrusion Are Just Big Legos

I started by finishing disassembling my 3d printers and cleaning up my workshop, then laying out my extrusion and getting an idea of how the frame should look. I decided on a rough frame here:

Now that I have the frame, it is time to get to CAD!

Time Spent: 2 hours

5/22/2025 Log 3: Getting Basic Parts

I started getting the CAD file organised. I made a folder in Fusion 360 and then referenced other CAD files for ideas and inspiration. I then started to collect basic part CAD files from the internet for the printer frame, using the LH Stinger BOM as a basic list of parts. This technique of using the internet to find premade models for parts like aluminum extrusions, screws, and other things can speed up the CAD process.

Time Spent: 1.5 hours

5/24/2025 Log 4: Frame Designed!

I built the frame in Fusion 360 and found that you can get CAD files of parts you can order on: https://us.misumi-ec.com/. I then started getting the file organised so I can hopefully create a BOM natively in Fusion 360.

Time Spent: 2 Hours

5/27/2025 Log 5: Finally Some Progress!

After a little break (I had a four-day swim meet), I finally hopped back onto the project. I want to say that not everything in this project was fully created and done by yours truly alone; I am using some bits and bobs from the LH Stinger design. And the metal parts that you would buy are industrial CAD parts from the internet. So the Y axis and the X axis are currently not my design. I will likely modify them to my needs and aesthetic preferences, but why try to fix something that isn’t broken? I am also creating a really organised file for the Ship, and hopefully, I can create some videos and an animated build manual for future makers of this printer!

How the printer currently looks:

Time Spent: 3.5 Hours

5/28/2025 Log 6: Adding More Parts

Today, I added more parts to the 3d printer, most notably the dual Z-belted system from the LH Stinger. I am also preparing for the part where I shine: toolhead design! I sent an email to Dimitri, the Picolino extruder guy, and hopefully, he will send me the CAD files I requested. I also created a sketch of some ideas for the toolhead and the project’s logo on some graph paper:

I really want to go all out on this toolhead, I am aiming for under 500 grams, but with insane cooling, integrated PCB, one cable back to the mainboard, support for 4 color printing, a watercooled metal extruder block, and maybe even have the heatsink combined with the extruder itself! I would like to add RGB accents to the logo on the toolhead and some recessed details as well.

This is how the printer currently looks:

Time Spent: 3.5 Hours

5/28/2025 Log 7: Finally Starting to Look Like A Printer!

Today I added more parts, I also modified some parts. I am quickly approaching the point where now on, the CAD will be made solely by me. I added a basic placeholder toolhead and am getting the MISC parts located and positioned.
Also I my Bambu Labs order arrived, I got a roll of CF-PLA, A roll of CF-PETG, and four rolls of basic PLA, along with an engineering plate and a 0.6 hardened steel nozzle. The CF filament is for printing the parts for the machine! And the accessories for being able to print the plastic. I also organised a vast amount of parts in my workshop and cleaned up quite a bit! Here is a photo dump of the day's activities:

Time Spent 2 Hours

5/29/2025 and 6/2/2025 Log 8: Toolhead Shtuff!

These past days, I have been hard at work CAD'ing and physically building things. To start off, I scoured the internet for the toolhead files I required for a ultra combined version that will blow you away (I hope, since I have not made it yet). I part sorted loads of screws, organised my workshop fully, geared up my printer to print Carbon Fiber infused filimants, and printed and built (mostly) my plan B toolhead.
You may ask: "What is a Plan B toolhead?" Well, my projects are often ambitious, and so I have purposely integrated failsafes into my plan for this project. So I have my Plan A toolhead, a wild but super cool toolhead design, but if I am not able to finish the toolhead design in time, I have a still cool Plan B toolhead. THAT is the one I built today. I also experimented with getting cleaner toop surfaces on my 3d prints and my logo (Sanding, and Slicer optimization).

Here is the photo dump:

Time Spent: 5 Hours

6/4/25 and 6/3/25 and 6/4/25 Log 9 Toolhead Starting To Look Toolhead-y?

These last few days have been spent grinding CAD, trying to combine Kevin's current world record toolhead with the Lh Stinger toolhead and creating my original BEAST! It currently doesn't look like much, but it has been a LOT of work:

Note

Unfortunately, I went on a long hiatus from journaling my project every day. My only explanation is that I have been limited by my parents to only three hours of screen time per day (whether it is for projects or not), so I have found it difficult to make progress on the project and also log. I am filling these next days from memory, notes in my project notebook, and screenshots as well as Hackclub Slack Logs.

6/5/25 Log 10

More Work on the toolhead.
Today I worked more on the toolhead. I spent an unnatural amount of time deleting fillets and chamfers. I also have come to the conclusion that the simpler the better, so this toolhead is essentially a plate plus some.
Here is a photo:

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/6/25 and 6/7/25 Log 11 Toolhead Almost done.

I ground a bit and made a toolhead that I am proud of. This involved me learning the remove feature in Fusion, creating a ton of imported components (It's a whole process), but finally I think I got something worth talking about:

Time Spent: 6 Hours

6/8/25 Log 12 Toolhead Needs More Work

I did a little more optimizing I worked on aesthetics, lighweighting, and near the end found a superior extruder. I will adapt my design for tomorrow.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/9/25 Log 13: Adding Protoextruder And Changing Air Path

I found an excellent and cheap extruder yesterday, the Protoextruder 2.0. I changed my toolhead to be compatible and also modified the air paths to make for a slimmer and more streamlined toolhead:

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/7/25 Log 12 More work on the printer.

Now I am excited today, I finished the finishing touches on the printer today, importing the toolhead, simplifying the printer file system, changing holes, adding logo's etc. And it looks soooo nice!

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/9/25 Log 13: Working on the BOM for G1

Today I worked on the Bill Of Materials on the Ghost 1, I am lowkey struggling, have I meation I hate/suck at sourcing things?
Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/10/25 Log 14: Working on the BOM for G1 (Again)

We have some bad news: the project is a bust. The INCOMPLETE BOM is over $700, and even if I optimize, there is no way I'll be able to make it with the allotted $350. Ugh, I don't know what to do.
Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/10/25 Log 14: A HUGE plot twist

I figured out WHAT TO DO!!! I am going to design a "mini" version of the 3d printer with the same toolhead. It'll double the project time, but I think I can do it. I am using Evan Lee's awesome PandA as an inspiration and a form factor inspiration.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/11/25, 6/12/25, 6/13/25 Log 15: Back to the Drawing Board

Ok, so I have imported his CAD and worked on replacing his Y axis with a better one of my design, based on an Ender 3 speed mod. I also had the genius idea of using an aluminum plate as a structure for the bottom of the printer because of clearance issues.

Time Spent: 9 Hours

6/14/25 Log 16 Basic concepts and CAD on the G1 Mini

I worked on tons of things, belt path, changing things "ship of thesus style", adding in parts I have at home:

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/16/25 Mix and Match

I added some Z mounts I thought would work (from the Voron Switchwire Project) and tried to see what It would look like white.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Dates were lost here.

Log 17: Changes Need to be Made

I worked on the motor mounts and on making a hyper-optimized idler block thingy.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Log 18 Big Brain Activity

I added my logo, created body pieces, locked in on the motor blocks, and blacked it out.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Log 19 Modifications

I added a non-tensioning belt holder to the toolhead, and worked on the Z axis (finally)

Note

There is an unaccounted break of time, I apologise, I had just started lifegaurding and forgot to journal

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Log 20: Blacked out Vibes?

I made good progress on the printer. I finished the Z Axis, worked on the aesthetics, and it is starting to look official

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Log 21 Speed Demon

I made the decision to go with 48 volts and changed some belt widths and more miscellaneous things
Time Spent: 3 Hours

Log 22 Ebox Life

I found a nice ebox model then modified the crap out of it. I added a 210mm server fan I had at homr, made the lid pivot, and added aesthetics

Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/26/25 Log 23 Working On Repo

I worked on setting up the repo, kinda copying the format of the LH Stinger Project
Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/27/25 24 Working On Bom for G1 Mini

I worked on the BOM with Evan Lee and got it close, only $5 over ( I hope that is forgivable)
Time Spent: 3 Hours

6/28/25 Final Touches

I added things to the repo, exported the BOM to the repo, finished the log, and did last-minute CAD work
Time Spent: 3 hours

Note

I did use a lot of reference material in this project, please do understand, though, in the end, all the CAD ended up being mine, either by replacing the part with something better that I made or by something else like that "ship of thesus style" it ended up being unrecognisable as the original inspo.

Now here is where work on the v2 started:

Jul 30th at 3:33 PM

Here is a little update on stiffening measures I am working on: I thickened the metal plate and increased its width. I added a key-like feature so the linear rail tucks in there so I can be sure that the axis is parallel to the build plate, the plate in turn nests inside a petcf17 part that mounts on top of the mgw 12 rails on the 4040 aluminum extrusion, that aluminum extrusion is then bolted directly to a large steel plate that is the base of the printer, it will have a small cut out for the extrusion too. For auestics, I will add holes on the plate (other than the ones to bolt the linear rail on) to mount a 3d printed part that holds a linear rail, and maybe a camera. The x-axis plate will also be sandwiched with a 3d printed part that holds the idlers, and a cover on top of that. Bolt will then go through the cover>idler block holder> metal plate>and then the main gantry block. Nothing should be able to even shift slightly this way. And everything slots inside of each other. I will add more idlers at the end of the plate; they will be held on one side by the plate and the other by a printed part, double shear style. The belt tensioner system is on the toolhead

Jul 31st at 5:26 PM

Here is the work I have made based on the feedback from the last post, I have worked with belt routing, going to have to shift the motor holders over and everything because I forgot to acually see how far the toolhead could move, added a belt tensioner that slots onto the now lasercut z axis steel plate, and I changed the belt holder to be non tensioning

Jul 31st at 6:21 PM

Chat, I think I made the stiffest (no diddy) x axis I can, it's pretty neat

Aug 1st at 11:06 AM

I made my x-axis even better!! Now with one double-sheared motor, offering both simpler motion but also better tensioning capabilities! Also, the motor might act as a counterweight, idk. Pardon the Brazilian Phonk. In the background, I did not know that was included in screen recordings (Phonk is my 3d modeling music lol)
Screen Recording 2025-08-01 110149.mp4

Aug 2nd at 10:22 AM

@Parker Rupe @Evan Le @Raygen Rupe I am doing a toolhead redesign and was thinking about how I am going to mount the lancer, and I remembered this thing I came across on Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/1302838-daft-mount-standard-heat-sinks-for-popular-hot-end I was wondering if you think this is a good idea to replace the stock lancer heatsink with, as well as my meltzone exender would be a good base to model around for a fery stiff hotend. I will also combine Parker's idea of the titanum piece, bracing the bottom of the hotend as well.

Aug 5th at 4:18 PM

@Evan Le @Parker Rupe @Raygen Rupe, hey, I have this empty space on the G1 mini redesign. What should I put there? My thoughts are a concrete block in a case of a TPU bolted to the frame. Some space will be taken up by large 90-degree brackets, but what do you think?

Aug 5th at 7:20 PM

I have done some work on the redesign of the G1 mini, and I have made some progress. I added a modded Kevinakasam belt. I am probably going to convert it to 12mm belts soon, too. I have made it super stiff with a bilayer of laser-cut 5mm steel on the x-axis, and 8mm steel for the base. I am still working on a new toolhead with a custom SLM printed DAFT mount for the Lancer long, and CPAP, as well as no longer being direct drive and using the boombox extruder with a Kevlar sheathed PTFE tube. I might have it raised on damping legs like the 247.0, kinda like a digger braces itself. I have to work on making it more beautiful, and the laser-cut carbon fiber bed and carriage. Feel free to drop suggestions, and also how to make it easier on the eyes

Aug 6th at 11:48 AM

I found this really nice vcoreminion belted z mod, and I am going to integrate it

Aug 7th at 12:00 PM

Alright, a little bit of an announcement after some tinkering around: I will not be doing a belted Z, but I will be copying, in some shape or form, the Eva toolhead cooling duct on my toolhead, but with CPAP. And I am considering moving the motor to the back, like on this viminion, with a belt tensioner and double shear ofc, of course. This would get rid of four idlers and would result in a smaller footprint and effective belt length. What do you think?

Aug 8th at 1:59 PM

Another day, another supergenius x-axis redesign!
Today, I developed another super rigid X-axis motor mount and integrated axis. This time, I mounted the motor on the back. I did this because it was unnecessarily increasing the 3d printer's footprint, and I had a crazy idea before I went to bed and just HAD to find out if it worked. And work it does! Lemme explain. In inspiration by the Stormwalker project, the idea of rebar, and images of CNCed motor mounts for Vorons, I developed a technique for making rigid motor mounts. In my case, there are 6 metal standoffs that will be custom turned by PCBWAY. These standoffs will be press-fit into three plastic spacers, which are for aesthetic purposes, and they also mount everything to the chonky linear rails I have on the 4040 extrusion. The standoff prevents compression of the 3d printed parts and is also simply stronger. These space out three metal plates, and everything is tied together by 6 5mm bolts. In addition, the motor has triple-shear; conveniently, the two bearings are seated in the two metal plates that form the x-axis "extrusion." The bearings are on either side of the pulley. The dimensions of the rectangle that the long parts of the metal plates form are 25 mm* 30 mm. So quite similar to 2020. Thus, toolheads similar to the Eva toolhead and stuff will be viable with minimum modification. Also, this time the belt is between the plates, so it will not make a "bow" effect. There will be a belt tensioner at the end of the axis, but I haven't modeled it yet. This new design is 25% more compact, 50% stiffer, and 100% prettier than the last revision. It also gets rid of six idlers. I will enclose a bunch of screenshots that show how I did this design.

Aug 18th at 10:19 AM

By some INSANE stroke of luck, the holes for the linear rail mounting, the heatsink, and a 2510 fan all line up perfectly to all be bolted together with the same screws! Riditity ftw!

Aug 18th at 9:25 AM
Lookie, custom SLM printed lancer long heatsink

Aug 19th at 12:34 PM

ts so ugly :cryin:
This is the first half of an experimental SLM printed duct system that gets rid of the heatsink fan and instead gets rid of the heat by the CPAP fan duct airflow. It also mounts the Lancer at the top and bottom for rigidity. I just need to find a way to make it prettier! And finish the upper part of the duct

Aug 20th at 11:57 AM

Skibidi or nah?

Aug 25th at 12:28 PM

The most rigid and speedy a cantilever can be! I finished the x-axis after a month of work

Aug 26th at 2:08 PM

new y axis drooooooop! And some ridity stuff completed. This system sandwiches the main 4040 profile and bolts right through. It is further stabilised at the ends with standoffs. Also triple shear. This is gonna beat PANDA now @Evan Le

Aug 27th at 10:38 AM

Checkmate @Evan Le ts can not get stiffer bro

Aug 27th at 3:23 PM

Finally did all the screws :skull:

Sep 24th at 3:51 PM

Most recent screenshots!!

And that is the furthest I have logged!

Finished DDR3 Routing + USB Serial Schema

So I think I violated some common conventions of routing but here I am!!!
Sadly I had to do via on pad for the DDR3 ram power, since they are decouplings and I can't place them too far...
After that nightmare was over, I started on the USB + USB serial converter schematic since it was a pretty important portion to me! I took a look at the datasheet, and pin mapped relevantly!
I also did the microSD schematic since it was decently easy, and I was really familiar with it!
I'll probably start routing a bit later during the day!

Basic Research

I did some basic research into the printer I want:

First I defined my goals:

1. I want it auto leveling.
2. I want it printing ASA, PLA, PETG, and ABS.
3. I want it reasonably fast and cool.
4. I want it using Kalico.

To do this, I will likely design a 3D printer similar to the Monolith Gantry (but not 160 dollars :skull:)

I'll keep the four motors since Nema 17s dont seem to be that expensive, and I think the benefits outweigh the costs.

Ill add 3 Nema 17s on the bed to allow for automatic bed leveling.

I will likely make my heated chamber frame out of wood.

Finally decided what to build after hours of thinking (hard)

After approximately 17 cups of tea, 4 existential crises, one deep sigh at my 100+ open tabs (yes, my browser is basically a war zone), and about 2 billion messages exchanged with ChatGPT and DeepSeek, we finally decided what to build-my very own open-source RP2040 devboard, officially named Al-Jazarani (don’t ask why, it just sounds cool).

I went through so many project ideas that my brain started buffering. At one point I considered everything from a robot arm to a mini AI computer to “maybe just build my own operating system”. After this long, dramatic struggle with a million browser tabs open at once, random Hackclub projects, and 7 new music genres discovered between scrolling, I landed on something actually possible, cool, and expandable - a custom RP2040 board (I don't even know if I need this but it just sound cool to have it iykyk).

So, I opened the RP2040 devboard schematic from Hackclub, opened up KiCad, and spent maybe 3 or 4 hours following the guide (really useful btw). I’m happy to say that WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG THE LAPTOP'S GONNA EXPLODE AND THIS WON'T FINISH.
✅ What went well:
• Somehow didn’t crash my laptop with 5+ software running in the background and and 60+ Opera tabs open.
• Learned how to read power nets like a pro (well… almost).
• Got a solid understanding of how the RP2040 handles inputs, power, and USB.
• Discovered like 10 new songs that are now stuck in my head.
• Found out that I put 3.3V instead of +3V3 before it was too late.

💀 What didn’t:
• Halfway through, I forgot who am I and started talking to myself.
• Realized I have an exam tomorrow 😭.
• Too lazy to continue tonight. IT’S MOVIE TIME 🍿. No, I'm too lazy to study.
Tomorrow, I’ll continue if my laptop doesn't explode.
WISH ME GOODLUCK FOR THE EXAM!

Planetary Gear Box CAD

So today I mainly focused on how to get the second arm portion of the robot arm to spin, and after thinking through my options, I decided to go through one motor driving a planetary gearbox. To those who don't know what that is, the system is usually comprised of the outer gear, some "planet" gears, and a main "sun" gear in the center, and depending on which gear you make stationary/drive the system, there are 6 different possible gear ratios that can come out of it(I think). The great thing about this gearbox in particular is that it gives me a great amount of torque for a relatively compact design. After designing my gearbox system, I started to work on actually attaching it to the rest of the arm, and that's when I realized that I'm going to have to remove the 7x7x15in the starting config requirement I set at the start of this project, unfortunately. However, I'm proud of today's progress, and if I keep this pace up, I should have the majority of this arm in CAD by Sunday.

Fixed pcb

So while trying to make the split keyboard i experiences issues when trying to rotate a pcb half horizontaly, and after trying for 50000000 hours straight i got it to work, after doing my fav routing hell i have it finished, but i wanna add more keys like fn keys and a numpad. i might also make a one handed keyboard.

Finished routing everything!!!!

It's here!!! The finished routed version of the Minty board!!!
All I did were a few minor changes, such as cleaning up vias, improving traces, connecting GND + Power pins.
Not too much, but it was definitely the more annoying portion...
After I clean up my schematic and get reviews from professionals, I should be able to ship the board!!!

Completed the Schematic

Day-1

Completed the Schematic

Today I completed the schematic for my PassKey (PicoKey by name). I have chosen RP2354 chip as it has a better security option with internally stacked 2MB Flash. I have decided to make it as small as possible while being pocket friendly.

Time Spent: 1h

Finished making the mount

Ok, so I finally finished the mount, and it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

There were a lot of issues regarding the pulley system, so I decided that it was best to just ditch the pulleys at the base and switch to gears. The reasoning behind this is that the gears align much more easily, and the distance between the base and the motors is minor.

Another issue I ran into was how to package the motors properly. In the photos below, the motors are packaged nicelyish, but without mounts. I'll get the mounts created soon, as it isn't too hard.

Anyway, I'll get to designing the PCB and choosing the microcontroller now.

Intro, Research, A few Mockups

Oct 4 2025

My Inspiration

So for a long time, I've tried many digital systems like Notion. But nothing actually kept me productive consistently. Can't be a better time to fix that no? So that's why I decided I want to build a device that sits on your desk acting as a personal assistant. An all-in-one device, a featureful digital clock that does more than time, etc. I can keep yapping.
TL;DR I want to build a device with a good minimalistic UI/UX to improve productivity

Initial Research

I want everything to be custom/personal: like boot up experience, etc. There's two options for that...either I could build a custom OS or build a custom OS Shell. Hmmm...What should I do...?

Well I considered both options...Here's why I'm going for the latter.
With a Custom OS, I get...

• Instant bootup
• Premium feel
• all CPU/GPU goes to deksOS
  
  But...
• I'll need to handle drivers manually (WiFi, display, input)
• Harder to debug
• AI models or cloud features may be tougher to run unless I build a small bg linux subsystem
• App extensibility would be more complex (prolly don't understand now, more on this later) So for MVP I'm going with a custom OS Shell

Predicted Components

• 1 x 7" touchscreen (display/input)
• 1 x PI (brain of project)
• ? x mic/amps (audio/input)
• ? x buttons (input)
• 1 x 5-way joystick (backup navigation)
• 2-3 x LED's (for status)
• 1 x ambient light sens (turn screen red or smth when dark)
• ... above is js stuff I could think of, def need more cleansing

UI Mockups

yes ts is inspired by ios26

Planning Phase

Worked on planning out the plastic extrusion project. Looking to use as many off-the-shelf parts as possible (so cost isn’t extremely expensive).
Scoping out BOM. Took a look at potential parts.
This is the boring phase of projects because there isn’t really anything to show.

Began CAD

Today I started to CAD the toolhead a bit. I did a bit more research, but I think I'm gonna get started on the printhead just to make sure I'm not forgetting anything or something like that. I'm using the ProtoExtruder 2.0, the Peopoly Magneto X Lancer Melt Zone standard hotend, dual 5020 part cooling fans, a 4010 heat creep fan, a CRTouch probe, and possibly linear rails, but I may have to switch to rods for budget problems.

Finished the PCB

I finished all the errors and added this very cool image to the silkscreen:

I think I will start with ordering this one to verify everything works, then I'll add support for batteries, use a better LDR (up to 1A instead of 250mAh) and add a buildin micro sd card slot

I also tried to actually ship the PCB, but the flash memory is out of stock :(