MX PalmGlide – Rolling Palm Support with Captive Balls for Hand Arthritis (Logitech MX Mechanical)

WHO IT HELPS

Hand osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the most common disabling hand conditions worldwide (about 194 million people with hand osteoarthritis alone). In a survey of 315 people with arthritis, 84 % reported problems using a computer because of their condition. Research on typists with RA shows they move the whole hand and wrist more, and recommends a MOVEABLE wrist support. This contest has many keyguards, but almost nothing aimed at arthritis.

HOW IT WORKS

One glider per hand rests in front of the MX Mechanical. Your palm rests on it and it ROLLS freely in every direction on 4 captive balls. The hand travels to the keys instead of the fingers stretching. Rolling needs far less effort than sliding.

ENGINEERING DETAILS

- Captive balls inserted during a print pause: no assembly, nothing can fall out. Each cage is printable without supports:

- a conical lower lip retains the ball;

- a straight chamber gives 0.3 mm clearance;

- a 45° conical ceiling carries the load on a ring contact.

- Carpal tunnel relief channel (12 × 2 mm) in the centre of the cushion: the palm rests on the thenar and hypothenar pads, not on the centre of the wrist.

- Height 19 mm, matched to the front-row keycaps of the MX Mechanical to keep the wrist neutral.

- The TPU cushion is press-fitted into an exact pocket: no glue, replaceable.

- Fully parametric Fusion 360 file (size, height, ball diameter, channel width).

PRINTED PARTS (print 2 sets: left and right hand are identical)

Chassis (PETG), Cushion (TPU).

NON-PRINTED HARDWARE

8 × 6 mm balls (6 mm airsoft BBs, POM or steel balls), 4 per glider.

PRINTING THE CAPTIVE BALLS

1. In PrusaSlicer, add a colour change / pause at the 3.0 mm layer (2.94 mm above the bed).

2. When the printer pauses, drop one 6 mm ball into each of the 4 cages.

3. Resume: the conical ceiling prints over the balls.

Tip: print a single cage as a test first, to validate your printer's tolerance.

ASSEMBLY

Press the TPU cushion into the chassis pocket. Done.

TIPS

- Use it on a smooth desk or a hard desk mat (soft fabric mats reduce rolling).

- Combine with keyboard software (Logi Options+) to remap far-away keys closer to your hands.

STATUS

CAD-verified around the official Logitech reference. Not yet physically test-printed: makes and feedback are welcome!

IMAGES

All pictures are Fusion 360 renders of the CAD model. I did not have time or access to a physical Logitech MX Mechanical keyboard to photograph prints, so the hand, hook and mouthstick shown are illustrative stand-ins, not real photos.