Build Instructions

Collapse

• 1

  Step 1

  http://website.palette.io.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/instructions.html

  Instructions

  Let's make Pallette!

  This guide will enable you to create the Pallette Tongue Controller using our design files. We explain each step, so that developing Pallette is straightforward.

  Pallette has three parts:

  1. An embedded sensor ribbon

  2. A water-tight enclosure

  3. Firmware and software
  

  The Sensor Ribbon reads and understands your tongue movements using infrared and software, and the device fits in your mouth via a mouthguard and enclosure.
  

  With this guide, you will mold the physical form to your mouth, embed and seal the sensor circuit within the form, and program the device to complete the Pallette device. Each section begins with a list of materials you need, and outlines the steps required to complete assembly.

  Approximate Cost: $200+

  Time Required: 1-3 weeks

  
  
• 2

  Step 2

  http://website.palette.io.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/materials.html

  Materials
  

  Before jumping in we'll need to make sure you're prepared. The table below details the different components you'll need to make Pallette. Each item links to where you can obtain it. We left checkboxes so you can keep a checklist of what you have.
  

  Tools	Parts	Source files
  Medium Power Heat Gun Dremel Soldering Iron Soldering Iron Tip RoHS Compliant Solder Desoldering Wick Wire Stripper Wire Cutter Programming Cable CC Debugger Multimeter Android Device Windows Computer or Virtual Machine	Sisu Mouthguard acrylated olefin heat shrink 0.5 Nylon tubing 0.5 OD Silicone Suba Stopper Suture Thread with Needle Air-Dry Clay Energizer 376 Cell Batteries x2 Ribbon Cable 0.05" Pitch Pallette PCBs	Hardware Design Files Debugging Firmware Mouse Controller Firmware Android Debugging App CC Debugger Driver* Bluegiga SDK*

  *You will need to install the CC Debugger driver and the Bluegiga SDK on a Windows computer or virtual machine, in order to program the Pallette Sensor Ribbon.
  

  Pallette PCBs

  PCB manufacturing takes time, so it's better to order the PCBs first. Send the Pallette fabrication zip file inside the hardware design files folder to a PCB manufacturer to receive the Pallette PCBs. You can get a quote here with your desired quantity and turn time. With the fabrication information in the design file, you will get 0.014 inch FR-370HR boards with gold immersion finish, white soldermask, black silkscreen and v-scores, which will be quite pricey (~$100 each for 10 boards and 5-day turn time).

  Alternatively, you can get the boards for $33 each with this special deal. However the boards will be 4x thick (FR-4 0.062" material) with lead-free solder finish, green soldermask and white silkscreen. (Photos below feature an older design)
  

  They won't come with v-scores, so you'll have to cut the boards along the thick white lines with a Dremel.

  PCB Assembly

  To get PCBs assembled, you can either send the PCBs and fabrication zip file to a PCB assembler, or reflow solder the PCBs yourself. The PCB assembler charges the cost based on the quantity of your order, component cost and turn time. (You can get a quote here.) The approximate labour cost for assemble 10 boards at 5-day turn time is around $150 per board; component cost is <$30 per board. On the other hand, if you want to do reflow soldering yourself, you will need to buy electronic components and additional tools:

  Additional materials for reflow soldering
  Electronic Components* RoHS Compliant Solder Paste RoHS Compliant Flux Electronic Hot Plate Preheating Station or Hot Air Soldering Rework Station Tweezers

  *This is a Digi-Key cart for 10 boards worth of components. To see the Bill of Materials for one board, click here.

  Step 5 will explain how to do reflow soldering in detail. But while you wait for the PCBs to arrive from the manufacturer, you can start making a Pallette device by following the next step - fitting a mouthguard.

• 3

  Step 3

  http://website.palette.io.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/mouthguard.html

  Mouthguard

  What you will need
  Sisu Mouthguard Fork Bowl Hot water Mirror

  To begin assembling Pallette, you'll need to obtain the form of your top teeth. We'll use the mouthguard to both fit your teeth and to capture their form. We specifically use Sisu, because the holes on the mouthguard will enable us to mount the Pallette Sensor Ribbon (Step 9).

  You can see Sisu's official fitting instructions here, or watch the video below.

  Once you have fitted your mouthguard, we can proceed to the next step, where you will make a clay mold of your teeth which will help to form the Pallette device.

View all 10 instructions