Bonded touchscreen
8.9-inch, 2560 × 1600; exact specified option.
Supplier ↗LAS TFMC · DIY flight simulator hardware
Build Your Own LAS TFMC — Bill of Materials
Everything you need to source the parts and build your own touchscreen FMC/CDU/MCDU.
Start with the screen
OK, so you want to build this puppy! Secure the screen first. It's the one component whose exact size and construction really matter. The LAS TFMC was designed around an 8.9-inch, 2560 × 1600 touchscreen. Choose the “OCA bonding full kit” option from the supplier listing — not the default non-bonded version.
The supplier has confirmed the bonded option is offered. Stock and prices can change, so check availability before ordering. I don't receive a commission from this supplier.
Core parts
These are the main components for one TFMC. Example brands are suggestions, not mandatory purchases.
Raspberry Pi 5
2 GB proven sufficient. 4 GB or 8 GB also suitable.
32 GB microSD
Reputable brand; holds the supplied Pi image.
HDMI cable
Short, slim HDMI to micro-HDMI, 0.3 m.
Example used ↗USB-C power cable
Suitable for Raspberry Pi 5 power requirements.
Power supply
Official Pi 5 PSU recommended if you need to buy one.
Purchase optional if already ownedPi 5 Active Cooler
Official SC1148; the cooling arrangement actually tested.
Example ↗Passive heatsinks
Alternative to the Active Cooler; not tested with this build.
Alternative · unverified3D-printable parts
Bezel, mounts and stand/cockpit options, in the design package.
Pi software image
Included with the STL design package for personal, non-commercial use.
Mechanical and assembly parts
Consumables, adhesives and fixings.
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12 × neodymium magnets
5 mm diameter × 1 mm thick; for the removable bezel. Example pack ↗
♢
Thick CA glue
Cyanoacrylate adhesive for securing the magnets.
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Single-sided foam tape
About 5 mm wide × 1 mm thick; cushions the screen inside the bezel and stops movement. PATIKIL example ↗
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Double-sided sticky pads
Used to secure the screen's USB touch controller to the printed frame; approx. 20 × 12 mm pads. fiXte example ↗
⦿
Short brass heat-set inserts
M2.5, M3 and optional M4 sizes — see quantities opposite.
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Bolts
M2.5 × 6 mm, M3 × 6 mm and optional M4 × 10 mm countersunk. M2.5/M3 assortment ↗ · M4 example ↗
Insert and fixing notes
Short heat-set inserts; quantities for one build.
| Insert | Qty | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| M2.5 ↗ | 8 | 4 for Raspberry Pi; 4 for screen mount |
| M3 ↗ | 4 | Assembly fixings; placement in assembly guide |
| M4 | 6 | Desktop stand only |
Insert lengths are not yet specified. Bolt lengths are: M2.5/M3 = 6 mm; M4 = 10 mm. Check short-insert dimensions against the printed parts before fitting.
3D printing notes
Print the enclosure and mounting components from the supplied STL files.
The TFMC's external bezel footprint is 150 × 228 mm. The prototype was printed successfully on a Bambu X1C, using PLA-CF for Boeing-style parts and PETG-CF for Airbus-style parts.
Confirm your printer can accommodate the supplied STL orientations. Individual print settings and the parts manifest will be covered in the assembly guide.
Pi compatibility
What has actually been tested.
- Raspberry Pi 5 is the supported platform.
- 2 GB RAM has been sufficient during testing.
- 4 GB and 8 GB Pi 5 models are fine if already owned.
- Pi 5 1 GB has not been validated; don't buy it expecting guaranteed support.
- Raspberry Pi 4 is not a supported target for the supplied image.
The official Pi 5 Active Cooler is the tested choice. I've only noticed the fan at startup, but passive cooling has not been validated.
What's included with the STL package?
Digital designs and software, not a box of hardware.
- Downloadable 3D-printable design files (STL).
- Preconfigured Raspberry Pi software image.
- Simulator connector software for supported aircraft.
- Software for personal, non-commercial use only.
- No physical components are supplied.
The design and software remain the intellectual property of their respective owner(s). Purchase grants use under the package licence, not a transfer of ownership.
Build notes
Before you order everything
Why the exact touchscreen matters
The bezel was designed around a specific 8.9-inch screen, and a nominally similar panel may have different glass, PCB or connector dimensions. Select the bonded kit and check the product option at checkout. Screen stock is not guaranteed by Liquid Alpha.
Do I need the same suppliers?
Usually not. The Amazon links show items actually used during development, but equivalent magnets, tape, bolts and cables are perfectly acceptable when the dimensions and specifications match. The touchscreen is the exception: fit is critical.
What holds the screen in place?
The 3D-printed screen support holds the touchscreen securely in place, fastened with four M2.5 screws into brass heat-set inserts. Single-sided foam tape, approximately 5 mm wide × 1 mm thick, cushions the display between the screen and bezel and helps prevent movement or rattling. The foam tape is not intended to hold the screen by itself. Double-sided sticky pads attach the USB touch controller to the frame. Thick CA glue secures the 12 bezel magnets.
Which cooling arrangement?
I built and tested with the official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler. Passive heatsinks might work, but I haven't tested them, so I can't promise adequate cooling in every installation.
More on the LAS TFMC
Want to understand the design before starting your build?
Assembly guide and final STL manifest: to be published. This BOM will be updated as documentation is completed.