How To Make a Dragon Ball Radar

Introduction

Keep reading if you want to build your own Dragon Radar from the internationally acclaimed Dragon Ball franchise. For general information about the project, read the project overview. If you want deep technical details, read the latest developer log.

Before you begin, you’ll need to acquire some tools and parts. The files to manufacture the 3D printed components and PCBA are available on the project’s repository.

Get Extra Long Division’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Remember me for faster sign in

If you don’t have the means to produce the PCBA and 3D printed parts yourself, you can use a contract manufacturer that services your region. Exact providers will vary based on where you live.

Parts

1. Enclosure front (3D printed)
2. Enclosure Back (3D printed)
3. Button shaft (3D printed)
4. Button top (3D printed)
5. M2x0.4mm threaded insert (x7)
6. M2x8mm set screw
7. M2x4 fastener (x6)
8. HD40015C40 4" round display
9. Dragon Radar V1.1 PCBA
10. M1x0.25mm threaded insert (x6)
11. M1x4mm screw (x6)
12. Double-sided tape
13. Lithium polymer battery
14. Mini oval speaker

Tools

At minimum you’ll need:

1. A screwdriver for the fasteners
2. A heat stake or soldering iron
3. Scissors

Not required, but useful tools:

• Tweezers
• Needle nose pliers

Flashing Firmware

Using the binary file in the project’s repository, follow the instructions provided by Adafruit to install CircuitPython on the board. Once complete, drag-and-drop the source code available on the project’s repository. After firmware upload, a heartbeat LED will blink once the board receives power.

Assembly Procedure

Below are step-by-step instructions to build the project. Cross-reference the numbered list in the Parts section to identify components.

• Gather M1 heat-set inserts and the enclosure front.

• Use a soldering iron to install six (6) M1 heat set inserts in the enclosure front.
• The enclosure front should look something like this.

• Gather M2 heat-set inserts and the enclosure front.

• Use a soldering iron to install six (6) M2 heat set inserts in the enclosure front.
• The enclosure front should look something like this.

• Gather the button shaft, button cap, and M2 heat set inserts.

• Use a soldering iron to install the M2 heat set inserts into the button shaft and button cap
• The parts should now look something like this.

• Install the button shaft sub-assembly into the enclosure front.

• Gather an M2 set screw.

• Install the M2 set screw into the button shaft so it partially protrudes.
• The sub-assembly should look something like this now.

• Install the button cap onto the partially extruded M2 set screw
• The enclosure front should look something like this now

• Gather a HD40015C40 round display.

• Install the display in the enclosure front.
• The sub-assembly should look something like this now

• Gather a PCBA.

• Place the PCBA in the enclosure front.
• Attach the display ribbon cable to the PCBA connector.

• The sub-assembly should look something like this now

• Gather M1 screws.

• Use the M1 screws to fasten the PCBA into the enclosure front.
• It’s hard to see but the sub-assembly should look something like this now.

• Gather a battery and double-sided-tape

• Insert the battery connector into the PCBA and secure it with double sided tape.
• The enclosure sub-assembly should look like this now.

• Gather the enclosure back and a speaker

• Depending on your part tolerance, the speaker can friction fit into into the enclosure back. If not, expose the adhesive tape on the speaker.

• Now, install the speaker into the enclosure back.
• The sub-assembly should look something like this now.

• Gather the enclosure front and back sub-assemblies.

• Insert the speaker cable into the PCBA connector.
• The assembly should look something like this now.

• Gather M2 screws and the radar sub-assembly.

• Using a screwdriver, fasten the enclosure back into the enclosure front with six (6) M2 screws.
• The back of the Dragon Radar should look like this.

You’re done!

Part of the Dragon Radar series:

1. Dragon Ball Radar Project Overview, October 12, 2026
2. How To Make a Dragon Ball Radar, October 12, 2026
3. Dragon Ball Radar: Devlog 2, October 2, 2026
4. Dragon Ball Radar: Devlog 1 — Frankenstein, August 29, 2026

Originally published at https://extralongdivision.com on October 12, 2026.