I’m working on a USB train throttle controller as a side-project. It’s inspired by the Densha de Go! PS1 controller, but I’m trying to make a higher-quality version with better movements.
I had the mechanical components designed on Fiverr, the total cost was around $900 CAD for the Solidworks design including extra revisions.
I did the electrical schematic design myself (my background is electrical engineering) and I handed it over to someone on Fiverr to complete the PCB layout.
The PCB layout cost around $1000 CAD.
I got a 3D print from two different sellers on Fiverr, one charging about $80 and another charging about $170 CAD. The cheaper one was actually better (better tolerances/less visible plastic lines). The test fit worked out well and I didn’t discover any major issues.
I got quotes for CNC fabrication in Canada and China. Quotes from Canada were going to be over $3500 CAD for fabrication. The quotes from China were a bit less, but not much. Again I went to Fiverr and ended up finding two sellers, one who fabricated it for $560 CAD, and another who did it for $1300 CAD.
Fabrication has just completed and is being shipped. Pictures:
From the pictures, it looks like the quality from the CNC will be more than suitable.
making a custom train throttle controller is pretty cool. and nice mix of skills there, from design to PCB and 3d printing.
interesting how the cheaper print worked out better. keeping costs down is always a win.
the pics look great, quality seems on point. how’s putting it all together going? any unexpected stuff happening?