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I was looking at the archived version [0], and I had a question. Regarding their PCB design (visible on the bottom of the page, with additional details here [1

I was looking at the archived version [0], and I had a question. Regarding their PCB design (visible on the bottom of the page, with additional details here [1], could someone explain why the optic part is separated from the rest of the board by a long, wavy connection? (I am trying to learn more about PCB design ideas and principles.) Thanks! [0] https://web.archive.org/web/20220313204334/https://ploopy.co/thumb-trackball/ https://web.archive.org/web/20220313204334/https://ploopy.co... [1] https://github.com/ploopyco/thumb-trackball/blob/main/hardware/electronics/Thumb-R1_001.pdf https://github.com/ploopyco/thumb-trackball/blob/main/hardwa...

grae_QED 4y ago
> Regarding their PCB design (visible on the bottom of the page, with additional details here [1], could someone explain why the optic part is separated from the rest of the board by a long, wavy connection? I think the pcb has to be slightly bent to accommodate the angled position of the track ball. Making it like that helps alleviate stresses on the pcb.
- thebrainkid 4y ago
  Makes sense! Thanks!
- mhb 4y ago
  Not just slightly bent. See here: https://ploopy.co/mini-trackball/ https://ploopy.co/mini-trackball/ Clever.
  - thebrainkid 4y ago
    Very interesting! Thanks!
hansihe 4y ago
If I where to guess it would be to act as a spring to push the sensor against the ball