Simple Scrollwheel Retread for Kensington Expert Mouse

I've been using Kensington trackballs for the last 30 years, and they do eventually wear out. The biggest shortcoming of the modern ones is (as always) the use of rubber overmolding. The rubber on the scroll wheel eventually turns to cheese and starts coming apart, leaving tacky rubber crumbs everywhere. They stick on your fingers and get smudged on the desk, keyboard, tablet, and anywhere else you can imagine. Eventually it wears down until it's below the buttons and the underlying plastic ring is poking through the cheese.

I know everyone hates the scroll ring and wants to reinvent it. I don't care if it makes noise. I just want to get rid of the rubber scum. Consequently, this is a much simpler print than the other reinventions. All you have to do is disassemble the mouse, scrape/clean all the old rubber off the scroll ring, and glue the replacement ring cap in its place. No ball bearings or extra parts needed. No hoping that staked printed pegs don't just snap off.

There are five STL files with different height offsets (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm). I used the 1.5mm height, since I'm already used to it being worn down.

I printed in PLA and TPU, though a resin print would probably be better. At least it would be easier to clean. Supports are needed.

See the SCAD file for other notes.

Category: Computer