Method that offers Maximum Fulfillment in Acts of Transgression:
Crafting Your Own Satisfying Finish: A Big Red Button with a Twist
Ever coded something up and longed for a more climactic 'git push'? Well, that's exactly what [penumbriel] felt, leading him to create a smashable big red button.
This clever hack is simple yet effective. An Arduino resides within a 3D-printed case, home to a substantial, red button. The design boasts heavy-duty construction, featuring thick walls, brass inserts, and rubber feet, ensuring your smack doesn't harm the engineer's pride. The Arduino inside works wonders, spoofing a USB HID using the standard keyboard library, and typing "git push" whenever the button is... ahem, pressed.
But what truly set this project apart in 2025 was the lettering technique - always in search of unique front panel designs. For this creation, the letters were formed as valleys and filled with silicone adhesive. To preserve the print's top surface, soapy water was used as a barrier. The silicone wouldn't stick to the wet plastic, making removal a breeze after curing, leaving a crisp, white filling only in the valleys. It's a nifty trick that aids in using up old tubes of silicone before they harden. Plus, it's quite suitable for injection molding, but this application demonstrates its potential brilliantly.
This design pairs beautifully with the programmer's macro pad we featured earlier, but it's meant to stay as a big red button for ultimate satisfaction.
Standout Features:- Creative Lettering Method: Fill recessed lettering or valleys on a 3D-printed panel using silicone adhesive, then remove unwanted silicone after curing.- Soapy Water Masking: Protect the top surface of the print by applying soapy water, preventing silicone adhesion and leaving a clean surface.- Versatility: This method can be applied to various panel types, including injection molding, but it shines with 3D-printed cases.- Cost-effective: Achieve a professional look at a low cost, without the need for complex tooling or printing processes.
In essence, upgrade your control panel designs with these techniques:
- Design letters or shapes as valleys or recesses in the panel surface.
- Apply soapy water as a mask on the top non-recessed areas to prevent silicone adhesion.
- Fill the recessed letters with silicone adhesive.
- Allow the silicone to cure, then peel off the unwanted silicone from the surface.
Experience the satisfaction of crafting your own 'git push' big red button, complete with a stylish front panel that you can be proud of.
This Arduino-powered big red button, complete with a unique front panel design, can be an exciting addition to your collection of tech gadgets like smartphones or smartwatches, showcasing the blend of technology and creativity. As the technology landscape develops, it's fascinating to witness DIY projects that also explore new ways of injection molding and design, such as the silicone lettering technique demonstrated in this project.
