Button Box

Inspired by my love for Kerbal Space Program and Microsoft Flight Simulator, I discovered a community of incredible homemade cockpit designs. While I couldn't afford a full cockpit setup, I found custom KSP controllers online costing nearly $100 just for the case. This sparked the idea to build my own custom button box as a fun electronics project.

As a complete beginner to electronics projects, I documented the entire process from start to finish, creating a comprehensive build guide that any ordinary person can follow along with.

Project Demo

Watch the custom button box in action with Kerbal Space Program, showcasing all the interactive buttons and switches.

Project Highlights

• Custom Hardware Design: Wooden enclosure with custom CAD designed metal front plate
• Raspberry Pi Programming: Python code for GPIO input handling and wireless communication
• Complete Documentation: Detailed wiki guide for others to replicate the project
• Cost-Effective Solution: Built for a fraction of commercial alternatives
• Gaming Integration: Seamless integration with KSP and other flight simulators
• Wireless Operation: Fully wireless with no cables needed after setup

The button box combines CAD, electronics, and programming to create a functional gaming controller. The project required learning multiple new skills from scratch, making it an excellent learning experience.

Hardware Components

• Raspberry Pi: Main controller for GPIO input processing and network communication
• Physical Buttons & Switches: Various tactile switches, toggle switches, and protected switches for different functions
• Laser cut front plate: Custom-designed enclosure for professional appearance
• GPIO Wiring: Direct GPIO pin connections for reliable button detection
• LCD Display: 4x20 character display for real-time feedback
• Network Communication: Wireless Flask server for button configuration

Software Development

• Python Programming: GPIO input detection using gpiozero library
• Flask Web Server: Admin panel for button configuration and management
• Multi-Integration Support: Keyboard shortcuts, Python scripts, MS Teams, Broadlink IR, Tapo smart plugs
• Real-time Processing: Low-latency button state monitoring for responsive gameplay
• Database Integration: Configuration storage and button mapping persistence

Design Process

The project started with researching existing solutions and understanding the requirements for a gaming controller. I designed the 3D printed case to house all components while providing easy access to buttons and switches. The Raspberry Pi runs a Python application that monitors GPIO pins for button presses and communicates wirelessly to execute various actions including keyboard shortcuts, custom scripts, and smart device integrations.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was creating a comprehensive guide that allows others to build their own button box. The entire process is documented step-by-step on the project's GitHub Wiki.

What's Included in the Guide

• Complete Parts List: Every component needed with supplier links
• Front Plate Design Files: Laser cutting files, that can also be used as stencils for hand drilling
• Wiring Diagrams: Clear GPIO connections and circuit schematics
• Python Code: Full source code with detailed comments and setup instructions
• Assembly Instructions: Step-by-step build process with photos
• Configuration Guide: How to set up the web admin panel and button mappings
• Troubleshooting: Common issues and solutions

The guide is designed for beginners with no prior electronics experience, making this project accessible to anyone interested in building their own gaming peripherals.

This project was an excellent introduction to hardware development and taught me valuable skills across multiple disciplines:

Technical Skills Gained

• Raspberry Pi Development: GPIO programming and Python hardware interfacing
• Laser Cutting Design: Creating functional front plate cutting file from scratch
• Network Programming: Flask web applications and wireless communication
• Database Integration: Configuration management and data persistence
• Documentation: The importance of thorough documentation for reproducible projects
• Problem Solving: Debugging both hardware and software issues throughout development

Future Improvements

While the current design works perfectly for KSP, several enhancements could expand its functionality:

• Enhanced Web Interface: More advanced configuration options in the admin panel
• LED Indicators: Status lights for different button states and modes
• Analog Controls: Rotary encoders and analog inputs for throttle and steering, alongside key locked buttons for better simulation
• Cloud Integration: Remote configuration and monitoring capabilities
• Multiple Device Support: Control multiple button boxes from one interface