I’m exploring options for ordering a Pixie device from a Chinese manufacturer. Ideally, the provider should handle the PCB, BOM assembly, case, and screen – essentially, the whole package.
So far, I’ve received a fair quote from JLCPCB, but their 3D printing service doesn’t seem suitable for the harness case. Additionally, I couldn’t find the screen listed on their site.
Has anyone managed to source everything from a single provider? If not, which providers did you use?
Hey @diegoll, our current process is to order the board and the harness from JLCPCB and source the screens separately, then have everything shipped to Canada where it is assembled by us. It is worth noting as well that the harness isn’t intended as a long-term solution. The goal is to have an injection-moulded case, which should really help drop the unit price of a Pixie.
Thanks so much for the insights, @Alisha! Do you have a link to the screen you use to buy? I want to make sure I get the right one.
Regarding the harness, I tried ordering from JLC3DP to ship everything together, but I ran into an issue with the print material. The model I want to print doesn’t meet the minimum size requirements for any of the available materials. I keep getting a message like:
The minimum build size for XXX is 0.20 x 0.20 x 1.00 cm. Please change the material.
Also, they don’t seem to support SketchUp files directly, so I’ve been converting them to STL. Would it be possible for you to upload your exported files to GitHub? That way, I can double-check in case my converter introduces any errors.
Oh! I do recall the defaults for STL export in SketchUp failed to pull the configured used in the SKP file. On the exports page there is an option to select it and I think you need to choose cm (despite the file being in mm).
The cost of printing the part should be around $2. If it is substantially more or substantially less, it is prolly the wrong scale.
I’ll add and export the STL files tonight for each harness version too.
Thanks a lot, @ricmoo! The STLs worked perfectly.
What about the screen you use? I know any ST7789 screen should work, but since this is my first real attempt at building open hardware, I’d rather minimize my chances of failure by using the exact same component you use.
Oh glad you found the STL files I uploaded. Sorry, I meant to update this post once I’d put them up.
The displays I just buy off AliExpress right now, which should be 240x240 pixels, 1.3”, 24-pin (sometimes called “splice style” opposed to 12-pin “weld style”). I’ll include a link here, but it may become outdated. Anyone happening across this in the future, feel free to post an update request if the link no longer functions.
If you need, searching for “ips 240 st7789” should work, just make sure you find the 24-pin version (not the 12-pin).
Also the cost should be around $2. If it shows up as closer to 50 cents, that’s not for the screen, but rather for a small packet of around 10 of the 24-pin SMD connectors the screen plugs into.
We’ll find a better way to source these to DIY-ers in the future.
