Designing the controls Part C

So I've made some progress after receiving the joystick parts from Mike D. (thanks Mike!) After playing a bit I finally finalized on my first MIMA joystick design, to be mounted on the CVT's shifter. Photographed above are the several steps I've gone through to get the right shape and mold.

I simply now need to mount the stick and buttons inside the shell I've created. I don't want the seals to be permanent, I'll figure that out next :)

I've done a LOT of sanding on this thing... I found a good way to recycle the dust created from sanding is to do your sanding on a cookie sheet or over some aluminum foil, then the next time you need to do some puttying, just roll your freshly mixed putty in the sanded dust. This way the epoxy doesnt end up going down a drain or into a landfill. It's not mercury or anything, but it still isn't something we need going out into the ocean, either.

Joysticks Pt C

Last night I took apart an old XBOX controller, in hopes that some of the joystick components were removable, and indeed they were. I think I'm going to be using the dome-shelled thumb sticks with the MIMA joystick.. with a little epoxy putty it wont be too difficult to use these instead of the wooden balls Mike ships.. Nothing against Mike's design, to each our own!

The trigger assemblies offer interesting possibilities also....

Designing the controls Part B

A little brainstorming here... i was thinking i might want to only route the joystick controls to the CVT shifter, which i am planning on wiring (not wireless)... i was thinking i might want to reduce the number of wires going to the stick and didnt think mode selection was necessary for the CVT shifter control i am building... We'll see.. I may come back to this but initially I have been convinced to start with using the guts of the normal MIMA stick w/ both mode select buttons below the stick.... I think I'll keep these drawings up for the heck of it either way right now.

A: Joystick and joylock switch TO joystick only, mode switches pulled out.








B: Chrg/Regen/Aux TO joystick only, mode switches and joylock pulled out.








C: Standard connection

Step 2: Display Panel Design Part A

A friend of mine directed me to http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/en/front-panels-enclosures/prices.html, a supplier for custom-designed front panels for electronic equipment.. You download their software, design your panel, upload your EPS file and they cut the panel pre-anodized aluminum sheets and any scribed labeling for a rather affordable price. I think I'll be using this tool to aid in the construction of my planned custom MIMA display once I choose the concept and finalize the design! Above are a few of the designs I've been playing with in photoshop..

Step 1: Designing the controls Part A

I've made some progress with the "joystick" controls for MIMA, As the photos show, I started with a couple lumps of black modeling clay. I experimented with control placement and the ergonomics of the controls.

After deciding on the placement, and general ergonomics, I plastic wrapped the steering wheel and CVT shifter and put down a thin layer of epoxy putty and let these cure. These will act as the mount for the controls. Once I receive the MIMA joysticks I have on order from Mike I will be able to design the shell casing for the joystick while I continue to save my money for the MIMA boards and harness.

Wentzr's MIMA honda insight project begins!

Well, I haven't yet gotten the kit, nonetheless ordered the kit from Mike yet, but I am doing what anyone should do before making a large purchase - Saving up. no need to rush it..

In the meantime I've been making sketches and playing with control/readout positions in the car while driving. MIMA has been in use for some time now.. What I want to do with it is make MIMA more intuitive, look at all of the possibilities and make the form of the controls and display follow the function a little more attractively.

Mostly right now I am looking at my options for utilizing the unused steering column pass through pin connectors so i can mount some of the controls (ASSIST/REGEN) on the steering wheel. I suppose I haven't ruled out wireless (your help would be appreciated!) just yet... but I've decided if i need to sacrifice having the CVT's D/S buttons on the steering wheel to gain assist/regen/joylock, so be it.. I could route buttons to the shifter for s and d modes.. i think that makes more sense anyway... S mode is used similarly to overdrive on other cars...

I've got 6 lbs of epoxy putty on its way. I'm actually going to be making a custom grip w/ mima controls on the CVT shifter as well as a steering wheel mounted controller, most likely at the 3:30 position of the wheel. I'll be taking pictures and posting all my progress right here.

For now i've hit a brick wall with getting into the steering wheel as i've got a torx t30 bolt with a stripped head preventing me from getting in there. I should be getting that out of there today (bolt extractor bit purchased, borrowing drill shortly).


good times!