The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

Category: Software

General-purpose computers doing something specific

  • HQ Sixteen: Handlebar Control Button Labels

    HQ Sixteen: Handlebar Control Button Labels

    The recessed faceplate on the new handlebar control caps for Mary’s HQ Sixteen puts the label flush with the rim:

    Control Button Caps - solid model - show view assembled
    Control Button Caps – solid model – show view assembled

    The current version of the labels isn’t much to look at:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - new caps
    HQ Sixteen control caps – new caps

    The OpenSCAD code produces an SVG outline of the faceplate, surrounded by four alignment targets:

    Control Button Caps - solid model - face view
    Control Button Caps – face view

    Import the SVG into Inkscape and tart it up:

    Control Button Caps - Inkscape
    Control Button Caps – Inkscape

    The alert reader will note the labels are swapped left-for-right.

    The black characters on the left get printed on heavy white paper and laminated; feel free to add artistic embellishments. You must delete the cyan-ish shapes showing the faceplate and switch openings, which just show where the characters will end up, but you must print the four corner targets for alignment.

    The red and orange shapes on the right define the outlines for laser-cutting the laminated paper and adhesive sheet after you import the Inkscape SVG file into LightBurn. The Inkscape colors will automagically put the shapes on separate LightBurn layers, with the cyan-ish shapes going onto non-cutting Tool Layer T2.

    Set the cutting speed & feed to match your machine, lay the laminated labels on the platform, use Print and Cut to align two diagonal corner targets with the corresponding printed targets, then Fire. The. Laser.

    The orange shapes have half a millimeter inset to leave a slight non-sticky margin around the edges:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - adhesive layer
    HQ Sixteen control caps – adhesive layer

    Although those shapes have the same four targets, you align the adhesive by hand and eye. Cut them out, peel one side, stick adhesive to the label, peel the other side, stick adhesive to the faceplate, and you’re done.

    Now, to figure out the switch wiring …

  • HQ Sixteen: Handlebar Control Button Caps

    HQ Sixteen: Handlebar Control Button Caps

    Each of the HQ Sixteen’s handlebars has a cap with control buttons:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - side view
    HQ Sixteen control caps – side view

    The left cap:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - left
    HQ Sixteen control caps – left

    The right cap:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - OEM right
    HQ Sixteen control caps – OEM right

    The membrane switch overlay has textured bumps, although both of us have trouble finding them.

    The Start / Stop switch gets the most use and, as you’d expect, has become intermittent after two decades of use.

    Mary thinks a Start / Stop switch on both caps would be an improvement, letting her position quilting rulers with her right hand and run the machine with her left hand & thumb. I don’t know how the switches are wired, but the wiring suggests either simple single-bit inputs or a small matrix.

    She also finds membrane switches difficult to press, so I’m in the process of replacing the control caps with something more to her liking.

    The current concept goes a little something like this:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - new caps
    HQ Sixteen control caps – new caps

    Stipulated: my art hand is weak.

    Those are little bitty SMD switches:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - new caps overview
    HQ Sixteen control caps – new caps overview

    They’re easy to locate by touch, with a stem length chosen to “feel right” when pushed.

    They have been grievously misapplied:

    HQ Sixteen control caps - switches
    HQ Sixteen control caps – switches

    The solid model has three main pieces and a lock for the ribbon cable:

    Control Button Caps - solid model - build view
    Control Button Caps – solid model – build view

    Those pockets keep the switches oriented while the glue cures.

    Two screws through the handlebar secure each cap. Handi-Quilter drove sheet metal screws into their OEM caps, distorting them enough to jam solidly into the handlebars. I’ve been reluctant to apply enough force to loosen them, so they remain frozen in place until the current quilt is done.

    The new plugs have recesses for M3 square nuts to make them easily removable. As with the handlebar angle adapters, I’ll glue the plugs into the caps.

    A slightly exploded view shows how the pieces fit together:

    Control Button Caps - solid model - show view gapped
    Control Button Caps – solid model – show view gapped

    The switch plate sits recessed into the cap to allow room for the label (about which, more later):

    Control Button Caps - solid model - show view assembled
    Control Button Caps – solid model – show view assembled

    The OpenSCAD source code as a GitHub Gist:

    // Handiquilter HQ Sixteen handlebar control button caps
    // Ed Nisley – KE4ZNU
    // 2025-04-05
    include <BOSL2/std.scad>
    Layout = "Show"; // [Show,Build,Grip,Body,Face,FaceBack,Plug,CableLock]
    // Angle w.r.t. handlebar
    FaceAngle = 30; // [10:45]
    // Separation in Show display
    Gap = 5; // [0:20]
    /* [Hidden] */
    HoleWindage = 0.2;
    Protrusion = 0.1;
    NumSides = 2*3*4;
    WallThick = 3.0;
    ID = 0;
    OD = 1;
    LENGTH = 2;
    Grip = [19.7,22.4,15.0]; // (7/8)*INCH = 22.2 mm + roughness, LENGTH=OEM insertion depth
    GripRadius = Grip[OD]/2;
    FoamOD = 34.0; // handlebar foam
    FoamRadius = FoamOD/2;
    SwitchBody = [6.3,6.3,4.0]; // does not include SMD leads
    SwitchStemOD = 3.5 + 2*HoleWindage;
    SwitchOC = 10.0; // center-to-center switch spacing
    LabelThick = 0.5; // laminated overlay
    FaceRim = 2.0; // rim around faceplate
    FaceThick = 2.0; // … plate thickness
    FaceDepth = FaceThick + LabelThick; // inset allowing for faceplate label
    CapOD = 38.0; // overall cap diameter
    CapTrim = FoamRadius; // flat trim on front
    CapBase = 5.0; // bottom thickness
    Cap = [FoamOD – FaceRim,CapOD,CapBase + CapOD*tan(FaceAngle)];
    echo(Cap=Cap);
    TargetSize = 4.0; // laser alignment targets
    TargetsOC = [40.0,40.0];
    Cable = [10.0,2.0,WallThick]; // aperture for cable lock
    ScrewAngles = [-45,45]; // mounting screws
    Screw = [2.0,3.0,7.0]; // OEM = sheet metal screw
    ScrewOffset = 6.0; // from top of grip tube
    SquareNut = [3.0,5.5,2.3 + 0.4]; // M3 square nut OD = side, LENGTH + inset allowance
    NutInset = GripRadius – sqrt(pow(GripRadius,2) – pow(SquareNut[OD],2)/4);
    PlugOA = [(Grip[ID] – 2*WallThick),(Grip[ID] – 1.0),(CapBase + ScrewOffset + 10.0)];
    echo(PlugOA=PlugOA);
    //———-
    // Define objects
    //—–
    // Handlebar tube
    module GripTube() {
    difference() {
    tube(3*Grip[LENGTH],GripRadius,Grip[ID]/2,anchor=TOP);
    for (a = ScrewAngles) {
    down(ScrewOffset) zrot(a-90)
    right(GripRadius)
    yrot(90) cylinder(d=Screw[OD],h=Screw[LENGTH],center=true,$fn=6);
    }
    }
    }
    //—–
    // SVG outline of faceplate for laser cuttery
    module FaceShape(Holes=true,Targets=false) {
    difference() {
    scale([1,1/cos(FaceAngle)])
    difference() {
    circle(d=(Cap[OD] – 2*FaceRim),$fn=144);
    fwd(CapTrim – FaceRim)
    square(Cap[OD],anchor=BACK);
    }
    if (Holes)
    for (i=[-1:1]) // arrange switch stem holes
    right(i*SwitchOC)
    zrot(180/8) circle(d=SwitchStemOD,$fn=32);
    }
    if (Targets)
    for (i = [-1,1], j = [-1,1])
    translate([i*TargetsOC.x/2,j*TargetsOC.y/2])
    square(2.0,center=true);
    }
    //—–
    // Faceplate backing sheet
    // Switch bodies indented into bottom, so flip to build
    module FacePlate(Thick=FaceThick,Holes=true) {
    difference() {
    linear_extrude(height=Thick,convexity=5)
    FaceShape(Holes);
    up(SwitchBody.z/4)
    for (i = [-1:1])
    right(i*SwitchOC)
    cube(SwitchBody,anchor=TOP);
    }
    }
    //—–
    // Cap body
    module CapBody() {
    $fn=48;
    up(CapBase + (Cap[OD]/2)*tan(FaceAngle)) xrot(FaceAngle)
    difference() {
    xrot(-FaceAngle)
    down(CapBase + (Cap[OD]/2)*tan(FaceAngle))
    difference() {
    cylinder(d=Cap[OD],h=Cap[LENGTH]);
    fwd(CapTrim) down(Protrusion)
    cube(2*Cap[LENGTH],anchor=BACK+BOTTOM);
    up(CapBase)
    difference() {
    cylinder(d=Cap[ID],h=Cap[LENGTH]);
    fwd(CapTrim – 2*FaceRim)
    cube(2*Cap[LENGTH],anchor=BACK+BOTTOM);
    }
    down(Protrusion)
    cylinder(d=Grip[ID],h=Cap[LENGTH]);
    }
    cube(2*Cap[OD],anchor=BOTTOM);
    down(FaceDepth)
    FacePlate(FaceDepth + Protrusion,Holes=false);
    }
    }
    //—–
    // Plug going into grip handlebar
    module CapPlug() {
    $fn=48;
    difference() {
    tube(PlugOA[LENGTH],id=PlugOA[ID],od=PlugOA[OD],anchor=BOTTOM)
    position(TOP)
    tube(CapBase,id=PlugOA[ID],od=Grip[ID],anchor=TOP);
    for (a = ScrewAngles)
    up(PlugOA.z – CapBase – ScrewOffset) zrot(a-90)
    right(PlugOA[ID]/2)
    yrot(90) {
    cube([SquareNut[OD],SquareNut[OD],SquareNut[LENGTH] + NutInset],center=true);
    zrot(180/6)
    cylinder(d=(SquareNut[ID] + 2*HoleWindage),h=PlugOA[ID],center=true,$fn=6);
    }
    }
    }
    //—–
    // Lock plate for ribbon cable
    module CableLock() {
    difference() {
    cuboid([2*Cable.x,PlugOA[ID],WallThick],rounding=WallThick/2,anchor=BOTTOM);
    for (j = [-1,1])
    back(j*Cable.y) down(Protrusion)
    cube(Cable + [0,0,2*Protrusion],anchor=BOTTOM);
    }
    }
    //———-
    // Build things
    if (Layout == "Grip") {
    color("Silver",0.5)
    GripTube();
    }
    if (Layout == "Face")
    FaceShape(Targets=true);
    if (Layout == "FaceBack")
    FacePlate();
    if (Layout == "Body")
    CapBody();
    if (Layout == "Plug")
    CapPlug();
    if (Layout == "CableLock")
    CableLock();
    if (Layout == "Show") {
    color("Green")
    up(CapBase)
    CableLock();
    color("Orange")
    down(Gap)
    down(PlugOA[LENGTH] – CapBase)
    CapPlug();
    color("Cyan",(Gap > 4)? 1.0 : 0.2)
    CapBody();
    color("White",(Gap > 4)? 1.0 : 0.5)
    up(Gap*cos(FaceAngle)) fwd(Gap*sin(FaceAngle))
    up(CapBase + (Cap[OD]/2)*tan(FaceAngle) – FaceDepth)
    back(FaceDepth*sin(FaceAngle)) xrot(FaceAngle)
    FacePlate();
    down(3*Gap) {
    color("Silver",0.5)
    GripTube();
    down(Gap)
    color("Gray",0.5)
    tube(3*Grip[LENGTH],FoamRadius,Grip[OD]/2,anchor=TOP);
    }
    }
    if (Layout == "Build") {
    right((Gap + Cap[OD])/2)
    CapBody();
    left((Gap + Cap[OD])/2)
    zrot(180) up(FaceThick) xrot(180)
    FacePlate();
    fwd(Gap + Cap[OD])
    up(PlugOA[LENGTH]) xrot(180) zrot(180)
    CapPlug();
    fwd(Cap[OD]/2)
    zrot(90)
    CableLock();
    }

  • Inkscape: LightBurn Layer Color Palette

    Inkscape: LightBurn Layer Color Palette

    Inkscape is not a CAD program (neither is LightBurn), but for my simple needs it works well enough, with the compelling advantage that OpenSCAD can import named layers and extrude them into solid models.

    LightBurn can import Inkscape SVG images to define the patterns for laser cutting / engraving and will automatically put the vectors into layers corresponding to their colors if and only if the SVG image uses colors from the LightBurn palette. Regrettably, picking those colors from the default Inkscape palette is essentially impossible, but you can have Inkscape use a palette file that displays only the LightBurn colors corresponding to its layers.

    I conjured this GIMP / Inkscape palette file based on the table in a LightBurn forum post, plus tool layer colors from another post:

    GIMP / Inkscape Palette
    Name: LightBurn Layers
    #
      0   0   0 BLACK
    255 255 255 WHITE
      0   0   0 LBRN #0
      0   0 255 LBRN #1
    255   0   0 LBRN #2
      0 224   0 LBRN #3
    208 208   0 LBRN #4
    255 128   0 LBRN #5
      0 224 224 LBRN #6
    255   0 255 LBRN #7
    180 180 180 LBRN #8
      0   0 160 LBRN #9
    160   0   0 LBRN #10
      0 160   0 LBRN #11
    160 160   0 LBRN #12
    192 128   0 LBRN #13
      0 160 255 LBRN #14
    160   0 160 LBRN #15
    128 128 128 LBRN #16
    125 135 185 LBRN #17
    187 119 132 LBRN #18
     74 111 227 LBRN #19
    211  63 106 LBRN #20
    140 215 140 LBRN #21
    240 185 141 LBRN #22
    246 196 225 LBRN #23
    250 158 212 LBRN #24
     80  10 120 LBRN #25
    180  90   0 LBRN #26
      0  71  84 LBRN #27
    134 250 136 LBRN #28
    255 219 102 LBRN #29
    243 105  38 LBRN T1
     12 150 217 LBRN T2
    

    Plunk that file (which I named Lightburn.gpl) into /home/ed/.config/inkscape/palettes/, restart Inkscape, then select it (the Name line defines its mmm name):

    Inkscape - selecting LightBurn palette
    Inkscape – selecting LightBurn palette

    Which lays a row of the LightBurn layer colors along the the Inkscape window:

    Inkscape - LightBurn palette
    Inkscape – LightBurn palette

    The text after the RGB triplet in each file line appears as the tool tip for the color swatch:

    Inkscape - LightBurn palette tooltip
    Inkscape – LightBurn palette

    Because LightBurn uses only the vector Stroke and ignores its Fill, you (well, I) must become accustomed to Shift-clicking palette colors.

    You can fetch a similar palette file directly from the LightBurn doc, although minus the tool tips. GIMP and Inkscape have many palettes available, should you make artsy drawings where subtle color shading matters.

    I generally use only a few cheerful primary colors, because I have trouble distinguishing (heck, in some cases even seeing) the more subtle colors against LightBurn’s light (or dark) workspace background. I assign the layer cut settings using the Material Library: reds for cutting, blues for marking, and grays for engraving.

    When I need more than maybe half a dozen colors, I (eventually) realize I’m trying to be too clever and split the project into separate LightBurn files.

  • Piping Yubikey TOTP To xclip

    Piping Yubikey TOTP To xclip

    Rather than fiddle with the GUI program for my Yubikey, I use the ykman CLI program for TOTP authentication, because there’s always a command prompt / terminal open on the portrait monitor:

    ykman oath accounts code -s ama
    161413
    

    Double-click to select the number in the terminal, then either copy-n-paste or middle-click into the target field of whatever needs convincing I am truly me, myself, and I.

    I finally got a Round Tuit and piped the output into xclip to put the number into the clipboard:

    ykman oath accounts code -s ama | xclip
    

    Which lets me go directly to pasting or middle-clicking.

    The command history is big enough that I now type only:

    Ctrl-R ama
    

    Which brings up the most recent version of the command, whereupon I whack Enter to execute it. Similar abbreviations extract the commands for dozen-odd companies / banks / institutions / whatever I deal with.

    When I need a hint:

    ykman oath accounts list
    

    Should’a done that long ago.

    For reference, a treatise on Yubikey config and usage.

    Bonus! A cat:

    Gray Cat - 2023-05-23
    Gray Cat – 2023-05-23

    Because SEO demands a picture.

  • HQ Sixteen: Front Horizontal Spool Adapter

    HQ Sixteen: Front Horizontal Spool Adapter

    Mary wanted a horizontal spool adapter mounted closer to the front of her HQ Sixteen, in the M5 threaded hole where the Official Horizontal Adapter would go:

    HQ Sixteen - front spool adapter - installed
    HQ Sixteen – front spool adapter – installed

    Yes, the pin through the spool is fluorescent edge-lit orange acrylic that looks wonderful in sunlight and is much more amusing than the black rod in the adapter atop the power supply pod.

    The top of the machine case is not flat, level, or easy to model, so I deployed the contour gauge again, with some attention to keeping the edge pins parallel & snug along the machine sides:

    HQ Sixteen - machine profile measurement
    HQ Sixteen – machine profile measurement

    Tracing the edge of the pins onto paper, scanning, and feeding it into Inkscape let me lay a few curves:

    HQ Sixteen - top profile curve - Inkscape fitting
    HQ Sixteen – top profile curve – Inkscape fitting

    The laser-cut chipboard test pieces show the iterations producing closer and closer fits to the machine.

    Importing the final SVG image into OpenSCAD and extruding it produced a suitable solid model of the machine’s case:

    HQ Sixteen - machine solid model
    HQ Sixteen – machine solid model

    Subtract that shape from the bottom of the adapter to get a perfect fit atop the machine:

    HQ Sixteen - horizontal thread spool adapter - front pin - solid model - show
    HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter – front pin – solid model – show

    Early results are encouraging, although the cheap polyester thread Mary got from a friend’s pile and is using for practice untwists itself after passing through the tension disks on its way to the needle. She’ll load much better thread for the real quilt.

    The OpenSCAD source code and SVG of the HQ Sixteen’s top profile as a GitHub Gist:

    // HQ Sixteen – horizontal thread spool adapter for front pin
    // Ed Nisley – KE4ZNU
    // 2025-04-07
    include <BOSL2/std.scad>
    Layout = "Show"; // [Show,Build,Base,Wall,Frame]
    /* [Hidden] */
    Protrusion = 0.1;
    HoleWindage = 0.2;
    ID = 0;
    OD = 1;
    LENGTH = 2;
    WallThick = 8.0;
    BaseThick = 12.0;
    Washer = [5.0,10.0,1.0]; // M5 washer
    Spool = [0.25*INCH,50.0,55.0]; // maximum thread spool
    SpoolClearance = [2.0,5.0,5.0]; // spool pin pointed to +X axis
    SpoolPin = [Spool[ID],Spool[ID],Spool[LENGTH] + WallThick + SpoolClearance.x];
    BasePlate = [WallThick + SpoolClearance.x + 13.0, // X flush with side of machine
    Spool[OD]/2 + 2*SpoolClearance.y,
    BaseThick];
    BaseOffset = [-(BasePlate.x – Washer[OD]),-Washer[OD],0.0]; // left front corner w.r.t. pin
    SpoolOC = [0, // relative to left front top of Base
    BasePlate.y/2,
    SpoolClearance.z + Spool[OD]/2 + BaseThick/2];
    //———-
    // Construct the pieces
    // HQ Sixteen top frame profile
    // Aligned with hole somewhere along X=0, front edge at Y=0
    // Lengthened slightly to cut cleanly
    module MachineFrame(Length=BasePlate.y + 2*Protrusion) {
    back(BasePlate.y + Protrusion) xrot(90)
    linear_extrude(height=Length,convexity=5,center=false)
    import("HQ Sixteen – top profile curve.svg",layer="Top Profile");
    }
    // Baseplate
    // Aligned with hole one washer diameter in from corner
    module Base() {
    $fn=18;
    difference() {
    fwd(Washer[OD])
    difference() {
    right(Washer[OD])
    cuboid(BasePlate,anchor=RIGHT+FRONT+CENTER,rounding=BaseThick/2,edges=RIGHT);
    MachineFrame();
    }
    down(BasePlate.z)
    cylinder(d=SpoolPin[OD] + HoleWindage,h=2*BasePlate.z);
    up(BasePlate.z/2 – Washer[LENGTH])
    cylinder(d=Washer[OD] + HoleWindage,h=2*Washer[LENGTH]);
    }
    }
    // Wall holding spool pin
    module Wall() {
    $fn=36;
    translate(BaseOffset) {
    difference() {
    union() {
    translate(SpoolOC)
    right(WallThick)
    cylinder(SpoolClearance.x,d=Spool[OD]/2,orient=RIGHT);
    hull() {
    translate(SpoolOC)
    cylinder(WallThick,d=Spool[OD]/2,orient=RIGHT);
    up(BasePlate.z/2 – 1)
    cube([WallThick,BasePlate.y,1],center=false);
    }
    }
    translate(SpoolOC) left(Protrusion)
    cylinder(SpoolPin[LENGTH],d=SpoolPin[OD],orient=RIGHT);
    }
    }
    }
    module Adapter() {
    Base();
    Wall();
    }
    //———-
    // Show & build the results
    if (Layout == "Base")
    Base();
    if (Layout == "Wall")
    Wall();
    if (Layout == "Frame")
    MachineFrame();
    if (Layout == "Show") {
    Adapter();
    color("Gray",0.5)
    MachineFrame(60);
    color("Green",0.75)
    translate(BaseOffset)
    translate(SpoolOC)
    cylinder(SpoolPin[LENGTH],d=SpoolPin[OD],orient=RIGHT,$fn=18);
    }
    if (Layout == "Build")
    up(-BaseOffset.x)
    yrot(-90)
    Adapter();
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  • HQ Sixteen: Padded Table Shims

    HQ Sixteen: Padded Table Shims

    The HQ Sixteen has been running at higher speeds as Mary practices using its stitch regulator and the vibrations shook several of the table shims (blocks, whatever) onto the floor. I hope a layer of EVA foam provides enough compliance to keep them in place:

    HQ Sixteen - padded table shim - installed
    HQ Sixteen – padded table shim – installed

    The foam is 2 mm thick, so subtracting that from the nominal thickness makes the new blocks come out right.

    A short module extracts the footprint for export as an SVG image to laser-cut both the foam and the adhesive sheet required to stick it in place:

    module ShimPad(Thickness = PadThick) {
    
        if (Thickness)
            linear_extrude(height=Thickness)
                projection(cut=true)
                    ShimBlock();
        else
            projection(cut=true)
                ShimBlock();
    
    }
    

    It turns out linear_extrude() chokes on a zero height.

    When handed a nonzero Thickness, the code generates a simulated foam sheet:

    HQ Sixteen - table shims - solid model - padded
    HQ Sixteen – table shims – solid model – padded

    The footprint looks about like you’d expect:

    HQ Sixteen - table shims - solid model - pad outline
    HQ Sixteen – padded table shim – installed

    Import into LightBurn, duplicate it sufficiently, set the speed & power & kerf for EVA foam, then cut ’em out:

    HQ Sixteen - table shims - padding cuts
    HQ Sixteen – table shims – padding cuts

    Ditto for the adhesive, stick together, and upgrade the fleet.

    If these shake loose, snippets of adhesive film will stick them firmly to the underside of the table panels.

    Update: Yeah, they needed sticky snippets. Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on with that machine!

  • Floor Lamp Remote Control Holder

    Floor Lamp Remote Control Holder

    The remote control for the floor lamp across the Reading Room will never again wander away into the clutter:

    Floor lamp remote holder - in use
    Floor lamp remote holder – in use

    The magnet in its back snuggles against a steel disk embedded in the holder:

    Floor lamp remote holder - installed
    Floor lamp remote holder – installed

    A magnetic field visualization sheet revealed the magnet:

    Floor lamp remote holder - magnet field visualization
    Floor lamp remote holder – magnet field visualization

    Extract the remote’s profiles with a contour gauge:

    Floor lamp remote holder - pin contour gauge
    Floor lamp remote holder – pin contour gauge

    Trace the outlines and lay smooth curves around them with Inkscape:

    Remote profiles - Inkscape curves
    Remote profiles – Inkscape curves

    They needed a slight lengthening to account for the gauge pin diameter & deflection, but this isn’t a precision project.

    Do the same with a scan of the front face, import the curves into OpenSCAD, extrude them, create a solid model of the remote from their mutual intersection, then add a cylinder to punch the depression for the steel plate:

    Floor Lamp Remote Holder - solid model - bottom
    Floor Lamp Remote Holder – solid model – bottom

    The chonky model corners stick out too far compared to the stylin’ curves on the real remote, but I made the holder shorter than the remote specifically to avoid fussing with such details.

    Subtract the remote from a nicely rounded cuboid and knock out a cylinder for the pipe it’ll mount on to produce the holder:

    Floor Lamp Remote Holder - solid model - Show view
    Floor Lamp Remote Holder – solid model – Show view

    I briefly considered a circumferential clamp around the pipe before coming to my senses and making the pipe diameter 2 mm larger to accommodate a strip of double-sided foam tape.

    The magnet gets a ferocious grip on the plate and I defined the result to be All Good™.

    The OpenSCAD source code and SVG paths as a GitHub Gist:

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    // Floor Lamp Remote Holder
    // Ed Nisley – KE4ZNU
    // 2025-03-29
    include <BOSL2/std.scad>
    Layout = "Holder"; // [Show,Build,Remote,Holder]
    BaseAngle = 30; // [0:50]
    /* [Hidden] */
    RemoteOA = [92.0,40.0,14.5];
    PoleOD = 16.0; // lamp pole
    MagnetOD = 20.0; // steel plate under magnet
    MagnetOffset = [11.0,0,-2.0];
    TapeThick = 1.2;
    HolderOA = [60.0,35.0,PoleOD/3 + 4.0 + RemoteOA.z/2];
    HolderRadius = 5.0;
    Gap = 10.0;
    //———-
    // Define shapes
    module RemoteBody() {
    union() {
    intersection() {
    fwd(RemoteOA.y/2) up(RemoteOA.z/2)
    linear_extrude(h=RemoteOA.z,center=true)
    import("Floor Lamp Remote – outlines.svg",layer="Top Outline");
    zrot(90) xrot(90)
    linear_extrude(h=RemoteOA.x,center=true)
    import("Floor Lamp Remote – outlines.svg",layer="End Outline");
    xrot(90)
    linear_extrude(h=RemoteOA.y,center=true)
    import("Floor Lamp Remote – outlines.svg",layer="Side Outline");
    }
    translate(MagnetOffset)
    cylinder(d=MagnetOD,h=RemoteOA.z,$fn=4*3*4);
    }
    }
    module Holder() {
    difference() {
    cuboid(HolderOA,anchor=BOTTOM,rounding=HolderRadius,except=TOP);
    down((PoleOD + 2*TapeThick)*(1/2 – 1/3))
    yrot(90)
    cylinder(d=PoleOD + 2*TapeThick,h=2*HolderOA.x,center=true);
    up(HolderOA.z – RemoteOA.z/2)
    RemoteBody();
    }
    }
    //———-
    // Build things
    if (Layout == "Remote")
    RemoteBody();
    if (Layout == "Holder")
    Holder();
    if (Layout == "Show") {
    color("White")
    Holder();
    color("Gray",0.75)
    up(HolderOA.z – RemoteOA.z/2 + Gap)
    RemoteBody();
    color("Green",0.5)
    down((PoleOD + 2*TapeThick)*(1/2 – 1/3))
    yrot(90)
    cylinder(d=PoleOD + 2*TapeThick,h=2*HolderOA.x,center=true);
    }
    if (Layout == "Build") {
    Holder();
    }