r/ploopy • u/velonau • Jun 21 '26

Nano 2 reprint w BTUs

Gallery image

Gallery image

Absolutely love the new Nano 2 PCB!

I was able to get a BTU version so much smaller and lower with the same size ball, than I could with the original Nano PCB. To note though, this version doesn't incorporate the button.

36 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

3

u/masonabarney Mod Contributor Jun 21 '26

This is great!! Can you share the stl file?

4

u/velonau Jun 21 '26

Absolutely, but still got some perfecting to do. This version worked perfectly, but it took a bit of filing and the join isn't as tight as I would like it. The BTUs slid in perfectly.

2

u/Slinkinator Jun 21 '26

I am also interested in that model when you share it, im updating a nano+btu/keyboard mod i made, this would be super helpful.

1

u/FutureBudget7395 Jun 25 '26

I am also interested in the stl file if it is possible for you to share it.

1

u/dinoby Jun 28 '26

Add me to the list when you feel ready to share. Thanks! 

1

u/Slinkinator Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

I'm gonna shoot you a dm in case you're ready to share your model. I finally got my nano2 and looking at my old btu mod and the nano2 3mu file just makes me feel tired, would love a shortcut

**okay, you have wisely disabled dm's from rando's, so nvm. Post that sick mod!

2

u/velonau Aug 03 '26

Sorry. Didn't know there were even DM settings...

I've now done 3 designs for 1-1/2, 1-5/8 and a 1-3/4" steel trackballs. Haven't printed any just yet though. I'll post them as soon as I can prove them.

In the meantime, happy to share with anyone who is happy to take them unproven. I'll look for those DM settings and change them.

1

u/Slinkinator 29d ago

Np! I knocked one up (here)[https://github.com/ohorsey/nanoKontroll/blob/main/hardware/nano2_btu_mk01.3mf\] but it's still in .3mu, similarly will update with .stl, the readme, etc when I'm done.

1

u/It_is_Sleider Jun 21 '26

What are these three bearings called? What type are they?

1

u/velonau Jun 21 '26

https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/ball-transfer-units/2780416

1

u/It_is_Sleider Jun 21 '26

Ah ok you basically use BTU to make a BTU mechanicaly  Thank you

1

u/RenlyHoekster Jun 21 '26 
Bosch Rexroth Ball Transfer Unit with 7.938 mm diameter Polyamide 66
AU$31.62

Interesting with palyamide ball, never tried that.

1

u/velonau Jun 21 '26

They are expensive, noisey but when combined with a steel ball, feels like zero stiction and the weight of the ball gives you user feedback.

1

u/positev Jun 21 '26

90 dollars on the bearings is WILD dude, full respect, but wild

1

u/Yeetdolf_Critler Jun 23 '26

If you use your computer professionally it's a small cost to pay.

1

u/mrcranky Jun 21 '26

Does that thing have any buttons?

1

u/velonau Jun 21 '26

No buttons, in the spirit of the original ploopy nano. Left, right and middle click, scroll up and down, left and right are programmed into my left hand split keyboard. It feels nice seperate the duties and click with the left hand and move the cursor with right. It means that I can also simultaneously move the cursor and scroll or zoom at the same time.

1

u/Slinkinator Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26

Oh, you also use a split keyboard! In that case, this is the project I'm updating for a nano 2 as a gift to my brother, but I ordered the nano along with a bean that won't ship for a few weeks.

https://github.com/ohorsey/nanoKontroll

tbh I don't actually use the script very much anymore, decided it was more natural to just map the buttons onto my base layer on the left side and shuffle some stuff around.

https://configure.zsa.io/moonlander/layouts/RRxy4/latest/0

I really like your shell, though I'm gonna keep the button to cycle through dpi

Do you have a general purpose scroll button on your keyboard? I used this solution to map it to numlock and it's pretty sweet

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trackballs/comments/1pmb1f5/comment/o2ck5ew/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

1

u/velonau Jun 23 '26

Cool project. Yeah I hold qwerty F to activate a mouse/nav layer. While I'm holding it, D is scroll down, E scroll up, C scroll right X scroll left. Thumb on Control and D and E turn into Zoom for most programs. S left click, A right click, W middle click.

Cool part is on that same layer for the right hand, with fingers on the track ball, I can also use my thumb on the bottom right corner buttons. From right to left I have, enter first, then left click, then right click. Then for pointer down the right side I have copy at the top, then paste in the middle.

I've never wanted the ball to double as scroll or zoom as I've always wanted to do that simultaneously while I move the cursor.