The Adaptive Button is a large, easy-to-press adaptive button designed for accessibility use (such as gaming, communication devices, or assistive technology setups) for people with cerebral palsy.

It is made from 5 simple 3D-printed parts:

1. Main Body
2. Button Cap
3. Retaining Ring
4. Contact Plate 1
5. Contact Plate 2

The button works by pressing two copper-taped contacts together, completing a circuit when pressed.

This project is beginner-friendly and can be used with devices like Makey Makey, Arduino (low voltage only), or other adaptive input systems.

Supplies

3D Printed Parts

1. Main Body
2. Button Cap
3. Retaining Ring
4. Upper Contact Plate
5. Lower Contact Plate

Materials

1. Copper tape
2. 2 small alligator clips
3. Spare wire
4. Hot glue

Tools

1. Wire strippers
2. 3D printer
3. Scissors

Print all 5 parts:

1. Main Body
2. Button Cap
3. Retaining Ring
4. Upper Contact Plate
5. Lower Contact Plate

Recommended Print Settings:

1. Layer height: 0.2mm
2. Infill: 15–20%
3. Supports: No (unless your model requires it)
4. Material: PLA

Step 2: Prepare the Contact Plates (Wire + Copper Tape)

This step creates the electrical contacts.

1. Strip the Wire

1. Take one wire.
2. Strip about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of insulation off one end.
3. Twist the exposed copper strands together.

Repeat with the second wire.

2. Attach the Wire Under the Copper Tape

1. Lay the stripped end of the wire flat against the surface of Contact Plate 1.
2. Make sure the bare copper is fully touching the plastic surface where the tape will go.
3. Place copper tape directly over the stripped wire end.
4. Press firmly so the copper tape holds the wire tightly against the plate.

The stripped wire should now be layered underneath the copper tape.

Repeat this process for Contact Plate 2 using the second wire.

Important:

1. The copper tape must firmly press onto the bare wire.
2. There should be no insulation between the copper tape and the stripped wire.
3. Smooth out wrinkles so the surface is flat.

You now have two copper contact plates, each with a wire attached.

Now that your contact plates are wired and taped, it is time to put all five 3D-printed parts together into a functional adaptive button.

1. Seat the Bottom Contact

Take Contact Plate 1 (the one with the wire attached) and place it copper-side up into the bottom of the Main Body.

1. Thread the wire through the small exit hole at the base of the body.
2. Ensure the plate sits perfectly flat. You can add a small dab of hot glue underneath the plate to keep it from shifting.

2. Prepare the Button Cap

Take Contact Plate 2 and press it into the underside of the Button Cap with the copper side facing downward (outward).

1. Route this wire through the side channel or top opening of the cap as designed.
2. Pro Tip: Make sure the copper surface is clean and free of fingerprints to ensure the best electrical connection.

3. Insert the Button and Align

Slide the Button Cap into the Main Body.

1. Align the plates so that when the button is pressed, the top copper plate lands directly in the center of the bottom copper plate.
2. The button should "float" slightly above the bottom contact or rely on the 3D-printed spring tension (if your model has it).

4. Secure the Retaining Ring

Place the Retaining Ring over the top of the Button Cap and snap or screw it onto the Main Body.

1. This ring acts as a "stop" to prevent the button from falling out when you let go.
2. Check the Travel: Press the button several times. It should move up and down freely without catching on the sides.

Step 5: Wiring to the Makey Makey

With your button physically assembled, you now have two wires coming out of the unit. These need to be connected to the Makey Makey board to act as a "switch."

1. Identify Your Inputs

On your Makey Makey board, look for the section labeled "Earth" (the bottom bar) and any of the key inputs (like Space, Click, or the Arrows).

2. Connect the "Earth" Wire

Take the wire coming from Contact Plate 1 (the bottom plate) and attach one alligator clip to the stripped end. Clip the other end of that cable to the Earth bar on the bottom of the Makey Makey.

1. Why? This provides the ground connection for your circuit.

3. Connect the "Input" Wire

Take the wire coming from Contact Plate 2 (the top plate/button cap) and attach your second alligator clip to it. Clip the other end to the Space key or Left Click on the Makey Makey.

1. Why? When the button is pressed, it sends a signal to the computer that the "Space" key has been hit.

4. Secure the Connections

If the wires feel loose, you can wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the alligator clip connection point. This prevents the clips from sliding off if the button is moved around during a gaming session.

Now that everything is wired up,

1. Plug it in: Connect your Makey Makey to your computer via the USB cable.
2. Check connections: Remember, for the circuit to work, you have to be pressing the button and the contacts have to be touching.
3. Test the Click: Open a game and Press your new button—if you wired it to "Space," you should see the cursor jump or a character leap!