Monkey Head TIC TAC Boom

It started as a simple idea: giving the Prusa Core One + a personality without compromising its functionality.

My printer was named Jinx, so the goal was to create  a bad-looking robotic companion integrated directly into the printhead, inspired by Jinx's monkey bomb from Arcane/LOL and some other industrial robotics refs.

The design overlap the standard front head with a robotic monkey head including a circular screen while keeping everything fully operational and unchanged.

The biggest challenge was integrating a circular display while preserving the clean industrial look of the Core One+ and maintaining proper airflow of the printhead. that why the lower fan was intentionally incorporated into the face design and acts as the "mouth" of the character, allowing the mechanical components of the printer to become part of the visual identity rather than something hidden.

Tests

I tested :

• No impact against the printer's structure  ✓

• Mechanical strength (I used PLA Prusa Galaxy Black, but PETG should be even better) ✓

• No change in cooling compatibility/noise/head shift  ✓

• Easy installation : two original front mounting screws + a single press-fit locating tab that inserts into the lower-right fan opening. ✓

• No glue is required. ✓

• Screen not moving (with a pad behind) neither explode ✓

• USB-C Cable sufficiently flexible and with enough slack  ✓

• Functional software program : work in progress

At the time of publication, five complete prints have already been completed using the design without any cooling or reliability issues (the first two tests were performed before the screen integration was added).

Electronics

The display system is based on a Waveshare ESP32-S3 Touch LCD 1.46" round display:

[https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-touch-lcd-1.46b.htm](https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-touch-lcd-1.46b.htm)

Resources:

[https://docs.waveshare.com/ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.46/Resources-And-Documents](https://docs.waveshare.com/ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.46/Resources-And-Documents)

The module integrates:

• ESP32-S3

• Round 412x412 display

• Touch interface

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• Gyroscope / IMU sensors

• ... Not used

The display is powered through USB using the port normally intended for the webcam module.

Communication with the printer via API is planned through Wi-Fi, so it remain independent from the printer electronics.

No modification of the printer firmware is required.

Software Status

The software is currently still under development...

I'm currently developping :

1. Eye tracking based on printhead movement

2. Behaviors/reaction according printer step

3. Print progress (a circular animated progress indicator will surround the eye in prusa orange color)

4. Remaining print time & so on

I'm just tinkering, so I'm not responsible for any potential damage; you remain responsible :)



Thank you for your support!

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