CLUE Case

2024-01-09 | By Adafruit Industries

License: See Original Project 3D Printing Displays LCD / TFT

Guide by Ruiz Brothers

Overview

In this project we’re making a wearable case for the Adafruit Clue ‎board!‎

The CLUE features the same shape and size as the BBC micro:bit so ‎it’ll work with existing add-ons.‎

Adafruit Clue has a 1.3in IPS LCD color display with tons of sensors, so ‎you can make projects with text and graphics!‎

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We designed and 3d printed a case for the CLUE, so you can easily ‎wear it like a badge or watch.‎

It has enough room for a lipo battery, so you can make your projects ‎portable.‎

You have access to the edge connector, so you can use the touch ‎pads as controls for your projects.‎

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The CLUE is packed with sensors like an accelerometer, gyroscope magnetometer, barometric pressure, humidity, temperature, ‎microphone, light, color, proximity and much more!‎

CLUE features the nRF52840 cortex M4 processor with 2mb of ‎internal flash memory.‎

It also has a microphone, speaker, NeoPixel, and a STEMMA ‎connector so you can plug and play even more sensors!‎

With Bluetooth, you can make wireless projects that can control your ‎BLE devices.

So, you can control your phone using Apple’s Music Service to play, ‎pause and even change the volume!

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Parts

Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth LE
Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh
‎Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch
JST-PH Battery Extension Cable - 500mm‎

For a Badge - grab a lanyard

For 3D Printing‎

3D Printing

‎3D Printed Parts‎

STL files for 3D printing are oriented to print "as-is" on FDM style ‎machines. Original design source may be downloaded using the ‎links below.

clue-frame.stl
clue-case.stl
clue-lid.stl
clue-strapA.stl
clue-strapB.stl

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Download STLs

Edit CAD files

Edit Watch Bands

Slicing Parts

Supports recommended around the lanyard ears and slide switch. ‎Slice with setting for PLA material.‎

The parts were sliced using CURA using the slice settings below.‎

PLA filament 220c extruder
‎0.2 layer height
‎10% gyroid infill
‎60mm/s print speed
‎60c heated bed

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Wrist band parts are optimized for flexible materials, rigid material ‎will not allow the bands to fit.‎

Flexible bands

This design requires an extruder capable of printing with flexible ‎materials. If you're using standard Ninjaflex material (85A shore ‎hardness), we recommend printing slow, around 20 to 40mm/s with ‎the extruder temperature set to 240c.‎

You can also use Cheetah Ninjaflex, which has a higher shore ‎hardness (95A). The only difference will be in how flexible and how ‎grippy the texture is.‎

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Dual Color Bands

Print from 0mm to 0.8mm to print the first bottom color. ‎

Then print from 0.8mm to 6mm to print the top colors of the band.‎

Retraction clean up

Flexible materials may need retraction disabled to print successfully, ‎so we'll need to clean any leftover material around the slots and ‎grooves on the bands.‎

Customize Watch Band

The design of the watch band can be adjusted using Autodesk ‎Fusion 360. Change the parameters to adjust the width, length, and ‎number of holes on the band.‎

Patterns

We can change the patterns for each band by editing the features in ‎the timeline.‎

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‎Assemble

The bezel is attached to the front of the case to keep the display ‎nicely secured.‎

Use a drop of glue on each edge of the corners. Align the bezel to the ‎light sensor (rectangle). A fan is helpful, so the glue doesn't haze the ‎case.‎

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Tabs on the end press fit into the slits on the side of the case. ‎

The wristband with the nubs is pressed into the slits with the ends ‎first. Orient the end vertically and press each end. Use pliers to pull ‎the ends through the slits on the case.

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Slide switch

Use a slide switch with a JST adapter to turn the Clue on and off.‎

Short the JST extension cable to 120mm long. Split the power (red) ‎wire at 42mm and solder each end to the middle pin the on the slide ‎switch and either the left or right pin.‎

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Mount CLUE

Plug the JST cable into the CLUE. Carefully bend the wires and pass ‎them between the JST port and the reset button. ‎

Align the CLUE buttons to the cutouts on the case and press fit into ‎place.‎

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Insert slide switch

Angle the slide switch between the two walls and carefully press fit ‎into place. You can gently pull the metal tabs on the slide switch to ‎increase the tolerance.‎‎ ‎

Plug in battery

Plug the lipo battery into the JST extension. Use a small amount of ‎sticky tac to adhere the battery to the CLUE. position the battery so it ‎doesn't overlap the reset button.‎

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