Appendix F: Hardware

Buying hardware from us

Getting all of the hardware on your own can be tricky because the parts you select may not fit perfectly. That's why we sell kits with everything you need to build a Ploopy Trackball. Here's why that's great for you:

• Everything is guaranteed to fit together perfectly
• Everything is guaranteed to work as intended
• You'll end up saving money - probably quite a bit of money - by not spending on extra parts

Your call. You'll sort it out.

Getting your own hardware

This guide was a bit light on detail in the other sections, and that's because the hardware has to conform to many specifications. They'll all be listed here.

First, a complete list of all the hardware you'll need:

• 2x M3x12mm flat-countersunk machine screws
• 4x M3x6mm socket cap machine screws
• 6x heat-set threaded inserts
• 3x MR63ZZ roller bearings
• 2x 3mm x 18mm metal dowels
• 1x silicone ring
• 4x friction pads
• 1x snooker ball

We'll be going over all of them in detail. There will be mentions of critical specifications; if you're going to be sourcing your own parts, you must get parts that conform to the critical specifications. If you go off-menu, the parts will not fit the way that we intended when we designed the trackball. That might mean that your trackball doesn't work.

Let's get cracking.

M3x12mm flat-countersunk machine screws

Here are the critical specifications:

• M3
• 0.5mm thread pitch
• Any length between 8mm and 16mm
• 5.6mm head diameter
• 1.65mm head height
• 90 degree countersink angle

M3x6mm socket cap machine screws

Here are the critical specifications:

• M3
• 0.5mm thread pitch
• 6mm length
• 5.5mm head diameter
• 3mm head height

Heat-set threaded inserts

Here are the critical specifications:

• M3
• 0.5mm thread pitch
• 4mm drill bit size
• Open end type
• Brass, or any other material that transmits heat well
• 4.8mm installed length

MR63ZZ roller bearings

Here are the critical specifications:

• MR63ZZ bearing
• 3mm inner diameter
• 6mm outer diameter
• 2.5mm thickness

3mm x 18mm metal dowels

Here are the critical specifications:

• 3mm diameter
• 18mm length

Silicone ring

We use decorative rings for this. Here are the critical specifications:

• Size 10 (19.8mm diameter)
• Width between 8.0mm and 8.7mm

Friction pads

Here are the critical specifications:

• Circular shape
• Up to 3/4" diameter
• Up to 1/8" thickness
• Non-slip

Snooker ball

We use 1.75-inch diameter (44.45mm) miniature snooker balls. Any ball between 44.0mm and 44.6mm will work.

That's it!

Ordered everything? Great! That's another thing dealt with. Head over to 1. Introduction to keep on keeping on.