Raspberry Pi / Mimic Control Unit
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| 4GB Raspberry Pi 4 |
1 |
$67.79 |
$67.79 |
Amazon |
Might work with the 1GB/2GB versions but not guaranteed |
|
| Power Supply |
1 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
Amazon |
Need at least 2.4 amp power supply |
|
| MicroSD Card |
1 |
$8.98 |
$8.98 |
Amazon |
Recommend 32GB, you'll also need a microSD card reader if your computer does not read mircoSD directly |
|
| Raspberry Pi Official Touchscreen |
1 |
$92.81 |
$92.81 |
Amazon |
Possible to use other screens but the program was designed for this one |
|
| Raspberry Pi/Touchscreen Case (optional) |
1 |
$29.99 |
$29.99 |
Amazon |
This is the best Raspi Case but again not strictly required |
|
| 4-Port Powered USB Hub |
1 |
$19.99 |
$19.99 |
Amazon |
Any powered hub should work, but this is the one we for which we've designed a mount |
|
| USB-A to USB-Micro B data cables |
1 |
$11.99 |
$11.99 |
Amazon |
Four cables required. You can use old phone cables, but make sure they support data transfer, not just charging |
|
| Mini Wireless Keyboard + Mouse (optional) |
1 |
$29.95 |
$29.95 |
Amazon |
Use whatever mouse + keyboard you like, we like how this is a mouse and keyboard, portable and only uses one USB port |
|
| USB Battery Pack (optional) |
1 |
$49.95 |
$49.95 |
Amazon |
If you want to have a portable power option for the Raspberry Pi Station, this is a good option |
|
| Subtotal |
Subtotal + Keyboard & Battery |
| $241.54 |
$321.44 |
Essential Parts
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| 175 RPM Micro Gear Motor w/Encoder |
10 |
$19.99 |
$199.9 |
Amazon |
Motor for SARJs + BGAs |
|
| Motor mount screws |
1 |
$9.54 |
$9.54 |
McMasterCarr |
Mounts motors in place. M1.6x4mm flat head hex screw (100 pack). Total of 20 screws required. |
|
| Couplers to Mount Solar Arrays on the motors |
1 |
$10.99 |
$10.99 |
Amazon |
(8 Pcs) 3mm to 3mm Brass Connector Copper |
|
| Replacement Set Screws for Solar Array Couplers |
1 |
$3.5 |
$3.5 |
McMaster |
M3 x 6mm Long Stainless Steel Flat-Tip Set Screw (Pkg of 25) |
|
| Pinion Gear to work with printed SARJ Ring |
2 |
$9.7 |
$19.4 |
Amazon |
Traxxas 3942X 12-T Pinion Gear, 32P |
|
| Slip Ring |
4 |
$21 |
$84 |
Amazon |
Slip Ring - 12 Wires with Flange |
|
| Motor Driver Shield |
3 |
$23.99 |
$71.97 |
Amazon |
HiLetgo TB6612 Mosfet for Arduino Motor Shield |
|
| Adafruit Metro M0 |
4 |
$36.95 |
$147.8 |
Amazon |
Adafruit (PID 3505 Metro M0 Express - Designed for CircuitPython - ATSAMD21G18 |
|
| Servo Motors for Radiators |
1 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
Amazon |
TowerPro SG90 Servo (2 required, 4 in this pack) |
|
| Jumper Wires for Motor and Mimic Shields |
1 |
$6.98 |
$6.98 |
Amazon |
20cm Assorted Breadboard Jumper Wires |
|
| 12V/5A Power Supply for Motors |
1 |
$12.99 |
$12.99 |
Amazon |
LEDMO Power Supply |
|
| Inline On/Off Switch (Optional) |
1 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
Amazon |
JEEUE 12V Power DC Male to Female Cable with On/Off Switch |
|
| DC Power Splitter Cable |
1 |
$8.99 |
$8.99 |
Amazon |
DZYDZR 3pcs 5.5mm x 2.1mm Y Splitter Cable 1 Female to 3 Male Splitter |
|
| DC Power Plug Pigtail |
1 |
$8.43 |
$8.43 |
Amazon |
DC Power Plug Pigtail Cable (Female Power Plug Pigtail Cable / 19.68 inches/Pack of 10) |
|
| Velcro Cable Ties (optional) |
1 |
$6.99 |
$6.99 |
Amazon |
Attmu 50 PCS Reusable Fastening Cable Ties |
|
| HDMI Cables (Generic) |
3 |
$10.99 |
$32.97 |
Amazon |
Any standard HDMI cable should work |
|
Modelling (3D Printing/Module Connections/Aesthetics)
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| 3D Printer PLA Filament |
1 |
$24.99 |
$24.99 |
Amazon |
3D Printer Filament, Polymaker White - be sure to get the proper diameter filament for your printer (feel free to use whatever filament) |
|
| Ring Magnets for Module Connecting - lightweight |
60 |
$0.52 |
$31.2 |
KJ Magnetics |
½”OD x 1/4”ID x 1/16”thick ring magnets |
|
| Ring Magnets for Module Connecting - Heavyweight |
10 |
$1.04 |
$10.4 |
KJ Magnetics |
½”OD x 1/4”ID x 1/8” thick ring magnets |
|
| Cylinder Magnets for TBD |
2 |
$1.4 |
$2.8 |
KJ Magnetics |
1/16”diam x 1/8” thick cylinder magnets |
|
| Support Rods for Inboard Truss Segment |
2 |
$2.54 |
$5.08 |
McMaster |
M3 Steel Threaded Rod, 1-m Long |
|
| M3 Locknuts |
1 |
$4.65 |
$4.65 |
McMaster |
M3 Steel Nylon-Insert Locknut (Pkg 100) |
|
| Bamboo Skewers for attaching module halves |
1 |
$5.99 |
$5.99 |
Amazon |
HOPELF 6" Natural Bamboo Skewers, Φ=4mm (100 pcs) |
|
| Cyanoacrylate Glue |
1 |
$9.49 |
$9.49 |
Amazon |
Gorilla Super Glue Gel (any "superglue" should work) |
|
| Metallic Gold Vinyl for Solar Arrays |
2 |
$11.99 |
$23.98 |
Amazon |
(Not Required - Aesthetic Purposes Only) Metallic Gold Vinyl (12"x6') |
|
| Ultraviolet Blue Vinyl for Solar Arrays |
2 |
$12.69 |
$25.38 |
Amazon |
(Not Required - Aesthetic Purposes Only) Ultraviolet Blue Vinyl (12"x 48") |
|
| Metallic Champagne Gold Vinyl for Solar Arrays |
2 |
$12.29 |
$24.58 |
Amazon |
(Not Required - Aesthetic Purposes Only) Ultraviolet Blue Vinyl (12"x 48") |
|
| Subtotal |
Subtotal + Vinyl |
| $94.6 |
$168.54 |
Frame
The frame will require black 2020 T-slot aluminum in these lengths and quantities:
- 600mm x 4
- 300mm x 6
- 50 mm x 3 (not a standard length)
- It also requires a single length of black 2040 T-slot aluminum, 1300mm long (not a standard length).
Due to the few requiring custom cuts and the way things are priced, it's easiest to order as listed here and in the BOM table below. Cuts cost $1.50 each at Zyltech.
- (Qty 1) 2000mm 2040 black T-slot aluminum, cut to 1300mm
- (Qty 5) 1000mm 2020 black T-slot aluminum, cut to (4) 600mm, (6) 300mm, (3) 50mm.
- Include a note that says "Please include cutoff pieces in shipment" so you have those for your next project.
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| Black Frame Base 2040 Choose 2000mm (cut request on following line item) |
1 |
$26.95 |
$26.95 |
Zyltech |
ZYLtech 2040 Anodized Aluminum Extrusion Pre-cut lengths: choose 2000mm (later cut to 1300mm) |
|
| Cut request for Black Frame Base (2040) from above: request cut to 1300mm |
1 |
$1.5 |
$1.5 |
Zyltech |
Aluminum Extrusion Custom Cut Service - Request 1300mm |
|
| Frame - Supports, Black 2020 1000mm segments (cut request on following line item) |
5 |
$9.95 |
$49.75 |
Zyltech |
ZYLtech Black 2020 Aluminum Extrusion - Pre-cut lengths: choose 1000mm |
|
| Cut request for Black Frame Supports (2020) from above: request cut to lengths as defined in Notes |
13 |
$1.5 |
$19.5 |
Zyltech |
Aluminum Extrusion Custom Cut Service - cut to (4) 600mm, (6) 300mm, (3) 50mm |
|
| Frame Support L-brackets (small) |
1 |
$6.95 |
$6.95 |
Zyltech |
12x 90° 20mm Aluminum Brace/Angle Bracket for 2020 Extrusion - Black (12 per pack, total of 5 brackets needed) |
|
| Frame Support L-brackets (large) |
2 |
$7.95 |
$15.9 |
Zyltech |
12x 90° 2028 Aluminum Corner Brace/Angle Bracket for 2020 Extrusion - Black (12 per pack, total of 22 brackets needed) |
|
| T-plate - black (for stabilization) |
4 |
$1.95 |
$7.8 |
Zyltech |
2020 90 Degree T Joining Plate - Black |
|
| Spring Loaded T-Nuts |
1 |
$12.95 |
$12.95 |
Zyltech |
100x ZYLtech Spring Loaded T-Nuts for 2020 Aluminum Extrusion - M5 (total of 74 nuts needed) |
|
| Frame Screws |
1 |
$3.95 |
$3.95 |
Zyltech |
100x ZYLtech M5x8 Button Hex Screws: choose M5x8 (total of 74 screws needed) |
|
| Frame Rubber Feet |
2 |
$1.95 |
$3.9 |
Zyltech |
2020 Black Slide On Rubber Feet - 4 Pack (total of 9 feet needed) |
|
| Frame Rubber T-slot 5m Strip |
1 |
$5.45 |
$5.45 |
Zyltech |
Black Rubber 5m strip choose black, 5 meter |
|
| End Caps for 2040 Ends |
1 |
$6.45 |
$6.45 |
Zyltech |
10 Pack End Cap for 2040 Aluminum Extrusion (total of 2 caps needed) |
|
| End Cap for 2020 End |
1 |
$4.45 |
$4.45 |
Zyltech |
10 Pack End Cap for 2020 Aluminum Extrusion (only 1 cap needed - see note below) |
|
| Stainless Module Support Rods |
3 |
$4.95 |
$14.85 |
McMaster |
Multipurpose 304/304L 3/16" Diameter Stainless Steel Rod - 2 ft (Search for part number 89535k84 and select 2 ft) |
|
NOTE: As an alternative to purchasing a bag of 2020 extrusion endcaps for the single item needed, you can consider 3D-printing an endcap yourself. Thing 813368, a 2020 Extrusion Endcap submitted by 'walter' on Thingiverse, works well.
Custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) - Assembled Professionally
We used custom PCBs to route signals between the motors and microcontrollers. These boards are completely not necessary for the mimic build as long as you get the proper wires where they need to go (see the wire map page). However, these boards make it a lot cleaner and easier to debug - but they can be tricky to assemble and buying them pre-built will be more expensive.
JLCPCB now offers both sides assembly. It will be cheaper if you choose only the top side, and only two of our components use both sides and the parts on the bottom side are easy to solder. However the BOM and files and instructions will be assuming both sides assembly for the PCBs.
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| Mimic Motor Breakout (IEA) Board |
8 |
$ |
$60 |
JLCPCB |
8 of these are required, but offered in multiples of 5 so get 10 but choose 8 for assembly |
|
| Mimic HDMI Breakout Board |
6 |
$ |
$35 |
JLCPCB |
6 needed but PCBs are ordered in mulitples of 5, so get 10 but choose 6 for assembly |
|
| Mimic Shield Board |
3 |
$ |
$52 |
JLCPCB |
3 needed but PCBs are ordered in mulitples of 5, so get 5 but choose 3 for assembly |
|
Professionally Assembled PCBs Cost
Custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) - Assemble It Yourself (DIY)
If you source the parts yourself just use the BOM section below as a starting point - with the components I chose it is actually cheaper by my estimates to have JLCPCB do everything. Feel free to just buy the boards and place the components yourself However it will be difficult, we use very small pitch HDMI connectors that are tricky to solder. If you are not very experienced with soldering (and honestly a lot of this should be done with a hot plate or reflow oven) you should consider going with the professionally assembled option.
The process for ordering PCBs without assembly is the same as the pre-assembled version except you don't check "SMT Assembly" or do any of the steps after that.
The BOM for our DIY build is below:
----Mimic Shield Parts
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| 2 pin 2.54mm screw terminal block (optional-ish) |
need 12 total, this link provides 30 though |
$11.76 |
$11.76 |
Amazon |
Any generic 2pin screw terminal block, or could solder the wires directly |
|
| HDMI Connector SMD (Chinese Supplier) |
12 |
$0.521 |
$6.252 |
LCSC |
Any HDMI SMD connector that matches this footprint should work. Only need 12 but best to min order on this site is 15 |
|
| HDMI Connector SMD (Digikey) |
12 |
$5.17 |
$62.04 |
Digikey |
Alternate to the Chinese parts (more expensive) |
|
| 2.54mm male header pins (required) |
1 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
Amazon |
Any similar header pins are fine, 84 needed this is a pack of 100 |
|
| SMD LEDs 0603 size |
1 |
$6.99 |
$6.99 |
Amazon |
Any 0603 LEDs, optional, the boards will work fine without these but they can help debug |
|
| SMD 10k Resistors 0603 size |
1 |
$5.99 |
$5.99 |
Amazon |
Any 0603 resistors, optional also, only required for the LEDs |
|
----HDMI Breakout Board Parts (some repeat components from the Mimic Shield are listed but not included in price)
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| HDMI Connector SMD (Digikey) |
0 |
$5.17 |
$0 |
Digikey |
Alternate to the Chinese parts (more expensive) |
|
| JST ZH 6pin Connector |
1 |
$15.99 |
$15.99 |
Amazon |
Need these for the IEA boards also, pack of 20. Need 1 for each of the 8 IEA Motor Boards, and 4 go on 2 of the HDMI breakout boards, so 12 total needed |
|
| 2.54mm male header pins (required) |
0 |
$9.99 |
$0 |
Amazon |
Need 3 of these on two HDMI breakout boards so 6 total |
|
| 6 pin 2.54mm screw terminal block (optional-ish) |
1 |
$12.99 |
$12.99 |
Amazon |
Need 6 total, this is an order of 20. Any 6P 2.54mm screw terminal block should work |
|
----Motor (IEA) Breakout Board Parts (some repeat components are listed but not included in price)
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| JST ZH 6pin Connector |
1 |
$15.99 |
$15.99 |
Amazon |
Need these for the IEA boards also, pack of 20. Need 1 for each of the 8 IEA Motor Boards, and 4 go on 2 of the HDMI breakout boards, so 12 total needed |
|
| Neopixels (optional) |
1 |
$27.5 |
$27.5 |
Digikey |
Need 48, this is a pack of 50 |
|
| 8 pin 2.54mm screw terminal block (optional-ish) |
1 |
$12.99 |
$12.99 |
Amazon |
Need 8 total, this is an order of 20. Any 8P 2.54mm screw terminal block should work |
|
---- PCBs
| Part |
Quantity |
Cost Per Unit |
Total Cost |
URL |
Notes |
Image |
| Mimic Motor (IEA) Breakout Board |
10 |
$ |
$5 |
JLCPCB |
8 of these are required, but offered in multiples of 5 so get 10 |
|
| Mimic HDMI Breakout Board |
10 |
$ |
$5 |
JLCPCB |
6 needed but PCBs are ordered in mulitples of 5, so get 10 |
|
| Mimic Shield |
5 |
$ |
$2 |
JLCPCB |
3 needed but PCBs are ordered in mulitples of 5, so get 5 |
|
| Shipping (Typical) |
1 |
$16.76 |
$16.76 |
|
Order all boards at the same time to consolidate shipping |
|
DIY Assembled PCBs Cost Purchased from JLCPCB (assuming HDMI connectors from Digikey)
Mimic Total Cost
| Total w/ DIY PCBs |
Total w/ Professionally Assembled PCBs |
Notes |
| $1525.75 |
$1478.52 |
Not including taxes or shipping in most cases |
One of the main project goals is to drive down the cost. Of course, there is nothing special about an extruded aluminum frame and you could use something cheaper to support the model. You can get this cost down by removing the optional components, and skipping out on the PCBs (just get the wires where they need to go)
Required Tools
- 3D Printer
- Small Phillips Head Screw Driver
- Soldering Iron (if assembling boards)
Useful Tools
- Deburring Tool for cleaning up 3d prints
- Drill bits for opening up plastic holes
- Multimeter for debugging
- Paint Pens / Airbrush for aesthetics
- Caffeine