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Free DIY guide

Build your own LaunchLab

Order the parts, then print, wire and flash it in about an evening.

Form factor Top Mount · QRESidecar · QRE
LaunchLab · Sidecar v7, exploded · CAD render

LaunchLab · Sidecar v7

Top Mount v19 launcher clamp base and countersunk sensor retainer with the Sidecar v6 backed Sidecar launcher adapter and 1.5 mm Sidecar sensor cover. Retains the exact Top Mount v14 M5 cradle and M5 snap cover.

Before you start

Parts list

“Exact part” links are the parts I built and tested with.

≈$74to buy the parts for this build

Includes the analog QRE board from SparkFun ($4.08, shipping extra).

The comparison estimate includes full component packs and a 1 kg PLA spool. PETG is recommended; its purchase price may differ. Shipping, tax, solder, tools and printer access are extra. The four M2×5 M5 cradle screws are also extra; their prices are not included in this estimate.

What’s in the estimate
ItemFromPrice
M5StickS3 K150Amazon$31.90
SparkFun QRE1113 analog (ROB-09453)From SparkFun; shipping is extra.SparkFun$4.08
8 cm male-to-female jumpers, 40-packAmazon$8.99
2.54 mm right-angle headers, 10 × 40 pinsNeeds soldering to the QRE board.Amazon$7.59
M2 pan-head screw kitFor the M2×4 screws. Buy four M2×5 bracket screws separately; their price is extra.Amazon$7.99
PLA 1.75 mm, 1 kg spoolA build uses about 15 to 28 g of it.Amazon$12.99
Total$73.54

One-time prices from public listings, checked October 9, 2026; they change. Assumes access to a 3D printer and basic tools, including a soldering iron for the QRE header.

LaunchLab · Sidecar v7 · 3D model

Point at a part to find it in the build

Components

Raw materials

  • PETG filament · recommended

    1.75 mm. Prefer PETG for the mounts, especially captive clamps, M5 cradle snap arms and parts that receive screws. Use the matching PETG project where supplied. For a PLA-only release, open its saved 3MF as a project, select your printer and PETG profile, keep all modifier and blocker objects, and reslice. Do not print saved PLA G-code with PETG.

    SearchPETG filament ↗

  • Solder

    A little electronics solder for the three QRE header joints.

    SearchElectronics solder ↗

Tools & equipment

  • 3D printer

    Any good FDM 3D printer is fine. The supplied projects use a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layers; open the saved 3MF project, retain its modifiers and support settings, select your printer and filament profile, and reslice.

    On this sitePrint files ↗

  • Soldering iron

    We recommend the PINE64 PINECIL V2 for soldering the QRE header. It needs a compatible USB-C PD power supply and cable.

    RecommendedPINE64 PINECIL V2 · Amazon ↗OfficialPINE64 power requirements ↗

  • Small screwdriver

    A driver that fits the screw heads used by your build.

  • USB-C data cable

    Use a USB-C data cable you already have to flash the firmware.

As an Amazon Associate, BEYWATCH.GG earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links use the beywatchgg-20 tag and support the project at no extra cost to you.

Print files

What you print

Printer settings

Material
PETG recommended; open the TCRT PLA 3MF, select PETG and reslice with its blockers retained
Nozzle / layers
0.4 mm · 0.2 mm layers
Walls / infill
Use the supplied plate settings
Supports
M5 cradle: off; other parts: supplied slim tree supports
Adhesion
Use the supplied brim where included
Keep
All supplied support blockers; keep hinges and snap arms clear

The P1S projects were sliced and audited. Top Mount v19 includes 4 QRE print units; Sidecar v7 includes 6. The 3-unit Sidecar mount update excludes the sensor. Keep the M5 cradle support-free and retain every modifier and blocker object. Prefer the matching supplied PETG project. The TCRT sensor has a saved PLA 3MF only: open it as a project, select your printer and PETG profile, retain both HINGE SUPPORT BLOCKER objects and reslice. Do not print its saved PLA G-code with PETG. Prusa geometry projects need slicing. When changing printers, retain the saved project’s modifiers and support settings, then reslice.

For the three-part Sidecar mount, open the complete Sidecar PETG project, keep the Sidecar launcher adapter, M5 cradle and M5 snap cover with their attached modifiers, remove the QRE launcher clamp base, sensor retainer and Sidecar sensor cover, then reslice.

Assembly

Step by step

Part names
Launcher clamp base
Holds the QRE sensor and captive moving clamps.
Sensor retainer
Secures the QRE board; called keeper or pressure bar in the source files.
M5 snap cover
The removable outer shell.
M5 cradle
The M5 support, called bracket or dock in the source files. Use the cradle supplied with your selected release.
Sidecar launcher adapter
Attaches the separate M5 assembly to the launcher.
Sidecar sensor cover
Covers the separate QRE sensor and wiring.
  1. Print the Sidecar v7 QRE kit · CAD render
    01

    Print the Sidecar v7 QRE kit

    6-unit complete PLA plate; preserve supplied object settings.

    Details
    • PETG is recommended for the mounts, especially captive clamps, M5 cradle snap arms and parts that receive screws.
    • Use the matching supplied PETG 3MF project for PETG. Retain all modifier and blocker objects, per-object support settings and captive-clamp positions when changing printer profiles, then reslice.
    • The M5 cradle uses five walls, 35% infill and no supports. Keep the supplied settings for the M5 snap cover, launcher clamp base and Sidecar launcher adapter.
    • Prusa geometry files contain no toolpath; choose your printer and material, then slice.
    • For another printer, open the saved project in a compatible slicer, retain its modifiers and support settings, select your printer and PETG profile, and reslice. Check the preview for clear hinge gaps and snap arms.
  2. Fit the QRE1113 · CAD render
    02

    Fit the QRE1113

    Solder a 3-pin right-angle header to the analog ROB-09453 board. Seat it optics-down and fasten the matching sensor retainer.

    • 2 × M2×3 countersunk DIN 965 / ISO 7046 · QRE sensor retainer; 90° heads no wider than 3.8 mm
    Details
    • Sidecar v7 sensor retainer: 2 × M2×3 countersunk DIN 965 / ISO 7046; QRE sensor retainer; 90° heads no wider than 3.8 mm.
    • Pan-head screws do not fit these seats.
    • Keep the header and sensor lenses aligned with their openings.
  3. QRE1113 analogM5StickS3 HatOUTG1analog signalVCC3V33.3 V supplyGNDGNDground
    Use the Hat 3V3 pin. The Grove port’s red lead is 5 V.
    03

    Wire 3 8 cm leads

    OUT to G1, VCC to 3V3, GND to GND. Use 3 8 cm male-to-female wires. Route them through the mount opening with slack clear of the clips.

    Details
    • Wire with USB unplugged and the M5 powered off. Confirm your board labels.
    • The Grove red lead is 5 V; use the Hat 3V3 pin.
    • The analog ROB-09453 is the board used for this build.
  4. Fit the Sidecar sensor cover · CAD render
    04

    Fit the Sidecar sensor cover

    Turn the sensor attachment 180° from the Top Mount orientation. Route the leads inside the Sidecar sensor cover and out through the wire gap, then secure the Sidecar sensor cover with four M2×4 pan-head screws.

    • 4 × M2×4 pan-head · Sidecar sensor cover; heads no wider than 4.0 mm or taller than 1.6 mm
    Details
    • Use heads no wider than 4.0 mm or taller than 1.6 mm. Keep the wires clear of the moving clamps.
  5. Fit the M5 cradle and M5 snap cover · CAD render
    05

    Fit the M5 cradle and M5 snap cover

    Fasten the M5 to the M5 cradle from below with 2 M2×4 pan-head screws. Attach the M5 cradle to the Sidecar launcher adapter with 4 M2×5 pan-head screws, connect the Hat leads and snap on the M5 snap cover.

    • 2 × M2×4 pan-head · M5 to M5 cradle, from below
    • 4 × M2×5 pan-head · M5 cradle to four 33 × 24 mm mounting pilots
    Details
    • Keep the wire opening and snap arms clear.
    • Press both hooks inward to remove the M5 snap cover.
    • Top Mount v19 launcher clamp base and countersunk sensor retainer with the Sidecar v6 backed Sidecar launcher adapter and 1.5 mm Sidecar sensor cover. Retains the exact Top Mount v14 M5 cradle and M5 snap cover.
  6. Clip on and check the fit · CAD render
    06

    Clip on and check the fit

    Fit the sensor clamps and mount to your string launcher. Check that they hold firmly, nothing rubs, the sensor has a clear view and the wires are not pinched.

  7. Open the USB updater
    07

    Flash and check

    Use the USB updater in desktop Chrome or Edge. Choose First install for a factory M5, then check the version and READY screen.

    Details
    • Keep a private factory-firmware backup before a first install; the browser cannot make one.
    • The updater checks the firmware it writes; test the assembled device with ordinary pulls.

Launcher fit and first installation

Flash firmware

First install for a factory M5, then Update for later releases.

Back up first

The browser cannot back up factory firmware for you.

Ask for help

Open an issue with your model, step and a photo.

Using the device

Short A recalls the latest recap; short B opens history. On history pages A goes to the next page and B returns to main. Hold A on main toggles tournament mode. In Settings, hold B selects a row and hold A changes it.

Older hardware revisions

The earlier v098 QRE base and dock, v097 Sidecar carrier, v069 TCRT sensor and original public packages remain on the downloads page for existing builds. Their screws and assembly differ from this guide.

The earlier public build guide on GitHub covers older hardware revisions. This guide follows the current release.