In this document, I will go through all the steps and explain everything needed to make a complete Touché system.
The total cost of the system sits somewhere around 50 euros but since most parts are sold in batch you might pay a little more and end up with unused parts at the end of the assembly.
| Name | Quantity | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Arduino nano | 3 | Aliexpress Arduino store Amazon |
| NRF24L01 | 3 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| AA battery case | 3 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| 10uF 16v electrolytic capacitor | 3 | Aliexpress |
| RGB led (common cathode) | 2 | Aliexpress |
| Neopixel ring (12 pixels, 50 mm diameter) | 2 | Aliexpress |
| Banana socket | 6 | Aliexpress |
| Slide switch | 3 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| Threaded inserts (M3 x 5,7mm) | 12 | Aliexpress |
| 1MΩ resistor | 6 | Full ressistor Kit Amazon Aliexpress |
| 10 KΩ resistor | 2 | Same ressistor Kit |
| 0 Ω resistor | 2 | Same ressistor Kit |
| 220 Ω resistor | 6 | Same ressistor Kit |
| Buzzer SFM-27 | 1 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| AA battery | 9 | Amazon or any local store |
| Bolt (M3 x 10) | 12 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| Mini screws (M1.75 x 5) | 12 | Aliexpress Amazon |
| 5kΩ potentiometer | 1 | Aliexpress |
| Right angle push button switch (6 x 6 x 9 mm) | 3 | Aliexpress |
- 3D printer (I printed all the parts on my Ender 3 so I think any decent printer could get the job done)
- Soldering iron and solder wire
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Screwdrivers
- Wire cutting pliers
- A few wires (I have those)
Ordering the PCBs is quite simple and cheap. I will show how to do it with JLCPCB but it should be similar on PCBWay or any similar website.
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Go to https://jlcpcb.com/
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Leave all the defaults settings and click on 'Quote now'
- Import the client's gerber file (it the .zip in this directory)
- Save to cart and repeat this process for the server's gerber file (here)
- Pay and order.
8 printed parts are needed for the assembly :
| Name | Link | Quantity | Time needed | Supports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client's base | url | 2 | ~4h | Yes |
| Client's lid | url | 2 | ~4h | No |
| Server's base | url | 1 | ~6h | Yes |
| Server's lid | url | 1 | ~4h | No |
| Light diffuser | url | 2 | ~10 min | No |
I recommend printing all of them with 20% infill and 0.2mm layer height and face up.
Before starting the assembly make sure you have everything, you should have all the parts shown in this picture:
The assembly process is divided in 5 steps :
- Red -> Epee mode
- BLUE -> Foil mode
- GREEN -> Sabre mode (Not implemented yet)
- Something else / nothing -> Something is wrong, check the assembly guide again.
Plug your epee in, if you press the button the server will signal it.
By default if you touch the opponent guard it won't detect it, you must calibrate it.
To calibrate the client you need to maintain the button of your epee on his guard until the server LED blinks in led (~3 seconds). If it blinks in red, an error occurred and you must try again.
This needs to be done each time something changes (new opponent, new weapon, new shoes, different piste ...).
Both opponents need to do this once and the system will be good to go.
One player will be signaled in green and the other one in red.
Plug your foil in, if you press the button the server will signal it as an invalid hit.
By default all hits will be invalid, you must calibrate it.
To calibrate the client you need to maintain the button of your foil on electric jacket until the server LED blinks in led (~3 seconds). If it blinks in red, an error occurred and you must try again.
This needs to be done each time something changes (new opponent, new weapon, new shoes, different piste ...).
Both opponents need to do this once and the system will be good to go.
One player will be signaled in green and the other one in red.
There are 3 buttons and a potentiometer on the side of the server box.
The potentiometer controls the volume of the buzzer.
Starting from the left:
- First buttons are here to switch sides, eg. Player 1 hits are signaled on the left but he is on the right side of the server, press this button and he will be signaled on the right.
- Second button toggles piste mode, it will detect the piste and won't signal if a hit occurs on it (still not tested because I don't have an electric piste at home but it should work)
- Third button changes weapon, press it and then hit with each player weapon to 'transfer the information' so the next hit will be in the new weapon mode.