ErgoPad Modular Dance Pad For 4 Panel Rhythm Games

ErgoPad Modular Dance Pad by EricPrintedDesigns

*I've probably missed some things with my guide below, if you attempt to build one of these and run in to any issue, please reach out to me. Thanks!

Required materials

- M3x8 Bolts, used for connecting the chassis.
- M4x25 Countersink Bolts, used for attaching arrows and blank panels.
- 1-1/4" Screws, used for screwing the chassis down (I prefer Spax wafer heads)
- 4'x4'x3/4" MDF or Particle Board
- 3/8" Plywood or MDF for the blank panels
- 24"x24"x3/8" Polycarbonate Sheet, for bracketless panels (do not use acrylic)
- PETG or PLA Filament for chassis
- Original DDR arcade arrows if making a bracket pad
- TPU Filament for shims
- 100mm FSR Resistors
- Adhesive Backed Velcro
- A roll of Velcro for adjusting FSR height
- Arduino Pro Micro USB C
- Breadboard
- Dupont Style Wires
- Foam Weather Strip Tape
- 1-1/4" Galvanized Pipe (if building a bar)

Tools
- Drill Press (Helps but not required)
- Screwdriver
- Router
- Miter Saw/Table Saw (Not required)
- Drill
- Soldering Iron

Instructions

Firstly and most important... DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN ANY SCREWS OR BOLTS!!!

- Print 36 modular chassis pieces, in your preferred filament. I recommend 3 or 4 walls for these.
- Print 12 four way connectors and 12 half connectors for connecting the modular chassis, using M3x8 bolts. Do not connect yet.

Depending on if you are making a bracket or bracketless pad, you will need to print the parts from their respective folder. Bracketless pad you will need to print the 4mm, 5mm or 6mm shims in TPU (1 wall, low infill, my pad uses 5mm shims)

I highly recommend using a router to make the blank and arrow panels. Taking 4 modular chassis pieces and connecting them with half connectors, use this as a template with a flush trim bit to create perfect squares. This can be done with a table saw or miter saw but I got better results with using the router.

- Connect all modular chassis pieces together with connectors.
- Assemble the breadboard and electronics.
- Cut backing board to 33.5"x39-3/8" for Bar, or 33.5"x35.9" for no bar.
- Place the assembled modular chassis on the backing board, I recommend placing the breadboard and electronics in the center panel. I also recommend routing out about half an inch down for room but this is not necessary.
- Before screwing down the panels run the wires for the USB Cable and FSR Resistors.

-Print the Surround Corners for locating the chassis.
- Using 1-1/4" Screws, attach the modular chassis grid to the backing board through the hole in the middle hole of the triangle of holes.
- Stick FSR resistors to double sided Velcro, and place them on the edge next to the center panel.
- Print 20 Blank Panel to cover the 3/8" plywood panels

This should now be ready for assembly, remember do not over tighten any screws!