Dragon Ball Radar Build Instructions

License: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3D Printing Copper Clad PCB ESP32

This post was originally published on extralongdivision.com

Introduction

Keep reading if you want to build your own Dragon Radar from the internationally acclaimed Dragon Ball franchise. For general information about the project, read the project overview. If you want deep technical details, read the latest developer log.

Before you begin, you’ll need to acquire some tools and parts. The files to manufacture the 3D¹ printed components and PCBA² are available on the project's repository.

If you don’t have the means to produce the PCBA and 3D-printed parts yourself, you can use a contract manufacturer that services your region. Exact providers will vary based on where you live.

Parts

Enclosure front (3D printed)
Enclosure Back (3D printed)
Button shaft (3D printed)
Button top (3D printed)
M2x0.4mm threaded insert (x7)
M2x8mm set screw
M2x4 fastener (x6)
HD40015C40 4" round display
Dragon Radar V1.1 PCBA
M1x0.25mm threaded insert (x6)
M1x4mm screw (x6)
Double-sided tape
Lithium polymer battery
Mini oval speaker

Tools

At minimum you’ll need:

A screwdriver for the fasteners
A heat stake or soldering iron
Scissors

Not required, but useful tools:

Tweezers
Needle-nose pliers

Flashing Firmware

Using the binary file in the project's repository , follow the instructions provided by Adafruit to install CircuitPython on the board. Once complete, drag-and-drop the source code available on the project's repository. After firmware upload, a heartbeat LED³ will blink once the board receives power.

Assembly Procedure

Below are step-by-step instructions to build the project. Cross-reference the numbered list in the Parts section to identify components.

Gather M1 heat-set inserts and the enclosure front.

3D printed part next to a bag of M1 threaded inserts

Use a soldering iron to install six (6) M1 heat-set inserts in the enclosure front.

The enclosure front should look something like this.

Gather M2 heat-set inserts and the enclosure front.

3D printed part next to a bag of M2 threaded inserts

Use a soldering iron to install six (6) M2 heat-set inserts in the enclosure front.

The enclosure front should look something like this.

Enclosure front with all inserts installed

Gather the button shaft, button cap, and M2 heat set inserts.

Use a soldering iron to install the M2 heat set inserts into the button shaft and button cap

The parts should now look something like this.

Install the button shaft sub-assembly into the enclosure front.

Gather an M2 set screw.

M2 set screw next to the enclosure front.

Install the M2 set screw into the button shaft so it partially protrudes.

The sub-assembly should look something like this now.

M2 set screw installed into the button shaft.

Install the button cap onto the partially extruded M2 set screw

The enclosure front should look something like this now

Gather a HD40015C40 round display.

Round display next to enclosure front.

install the display in the enclosure front.

The sub-assembly should look something like this now

Round display installed in enclosure front.

Gather a PCBA.

PCBA next to the enclosure front sub-assembly.

Place the PCBA in the enclosure front.

Attach the display ribbon cable to the PCBA connector.

PCBA in enclosure front without the display ribbon connected.

The sub-assembly should look something like this now

Gather M1 screws.

M1 screws next to the enclosure sub-assembly

Use the M1 screws to fasten the PCBA into the enclosure front.

It’s hard to see, but the sub-assembly should look something like this now.

PCBA fastened into the enclosure front.

Gather a battery and double-sided-tape

Enclosure front sub-assembly next to a battery and double sided tape.

Insert the battery connector into the PCBA and secure it with double-sided tape.

The enclosure sub-assembly should look like this now.

Battery installed into sub-assembly.

Gather the enclosure back and a speaker

Enclosure back next to a mini oval speaker

Depending on your part tolerance, the speaker can friction fit into the enclosure back. If not, expose the adhesive tape on the speaker.

Mini oval speaker with adhesive partially exposed.

Now, install the speaker into the enclosure back.

The sub-assembly should look something like this now.

Mini oval speaker installed into the enclosure back.

Gather the enclosure front and back sub-assemblies.

Front and back enclosure sub-assemblies next to each other.

Insert the speaker cable into the PCBA connector.

The assembly should look something like this now.

Speaker cable connected to the PCBA.

Gather M2 screws and the radar sub-assembly.
- Using a screwdriver, fasten the enclosure back into the enclosure front with six (6) M2 screws.
The back of the Dragon Radar should look like this.