Assembly
Cut Acrylic
Use the template to cut the piece of acrylic. A scoring knife and safety ruler can help cut clean and straight edges.
Install LEDs
Orient the frame grid assembly so the bottom surface of the grids are facing up.
Starting with the first NeoPixel LED, firmly press it into pill shaped cutout in the lower right side of the grid.
The NeoPixel LED should sit just below the thickness of the grids surface. If it's pushed in too far, the light will create a sharp spotlight, whereas the ideal effect is for the light to evenly fill the full rectangular cell in the grid.
Continuing with the installation, going from bottom to top, press fit more NeoPixel LEDs up the column.
Take your time, making sure each LED is fitted relatively the same depth as the first.
If the LED doesn't quite fit, you can pinch and flex the wires to get the LED to insert, then pull the wire to seat the LED at the desired depth.
The NeoPixel LEDs are arranged in a zigzag pattern. On the 13th LED, go to the next column on the left, then continue with the installation going from top to bottom.
At the end of the column, at the 26th LED, go to the left column, then continue going from bottom to top.
Repeat the installation process for all 117 LEDs.
Install Acrylic
Orient the piece of acrylic so the shiny side faces up. Carefully fit the acrylic into the front panel.
Press the down on all the edges so the acrylic is fully seated into the front panel.
Install Matrix
Orient the matrix grid with the front panel noting the starting pixel starts where the front panel has a flush surface.
Press the matrix grid into the front panel so it sits flush with the piece of acrylic.
Double check the orientation of the matrix is installed correctly and that all of the NeoPixels remain seated.
Install Front Panel
Orient the front panel with the building enclosure noting the starting pixel is located near the bottom of the building.
Insert the cable from the starting pixel through the opening in the building.
Slide the front panel through the top of the building, making sure the sides catch into the mating rails.
Switch Holder
Insert the switch at an angle and push it into the recess so it sits flush with the holder.
The actuator should be accessible on the other side of the holder.
Secure Switch Holder
Use two M3 x 6mm long steel machine screws to secure the switch holder to the bottom cover.
Place the switch holder over the area with the two short stand offs so the mounting holes line up.
Insert and fasten the screws to secure the switch holder to the bottom cover.
Secure Feather
Use two M2.5 x 6mm long steel machine screws to secure the Feather to the bottom cover.
Place the Feather over the four standoffs with the mounting holes lined up.
Insert and fasten the screws to secure the Feather to the bottom cover.
Battery Holder
Plug in the 1200mAh lipo battery into the Feather.
Fit the battery in-between the extending walls on the bottom cover.
Slide the battery clip over the walls so the rails mate with the nubs.
Secure NeoPixel Cable
Get the cable from the NeoPixel strand ready to install onto the Feather.
Insert the three wires into their corresponding pins on the Feather screw-block terminals.
Use a small flat head screw driver to secure the wires to the Feather screw-block terminals.
Secure Gamepad
Get the two halves of the gamepad case ready.
Insert the gamepad PCB into the bottom half of the case at an angle to fit the corners underneath the clips.
Slightly flex the bottom cover to allow the gamepad PCB to fit under the remaining set of corner clips.
Assemble Gamepad Case
Orient the top half of the gamepad case with the bottom.
Fit the top over the gamepad PCB and press down to snap fit the two halves together.
Connect Gamepad
Plug the long STEMMA QT cable into the gamepad PCB.
Connect the other end of the cable to the STEMMA QT port on the Feather.
Power Test
Use the slide switch to power on the Feather.
Use the gamepad to run a quick play test to ensure everything is working properly.
Power off the Feather when ready to proceed.
Install Bottom
Orient the bottom cover with the building enclosure.
Fit the STEMMA QT cable through the notch near the lower front of the building.
Press the bottom cover into the building so it snap fits closed.
Make sure none of the wires and cables are being pinched.
Install Rooftop
The top cover and rooftop are joined together with double-sided tape or adhesives.
Apply the tape or adhesive to the flat surface of the top cover, then attach the two parts together.
Install Top
Orient the top cover with the building enclosure.
Press the top cover into the building so it snap fits closed.
Page last edited April 28, 2026
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