PCB for HandWired Keyboards

Details

This project provides to handwired keyboards a support to have underglow keycaps. PCBs was designed for keyboard with different form factors, for example: dactyl manuform. Its geometry makes makers hard to desing flexible PCBs, and them could be available only for some kind of dactyl manuform. These 15mmx15mm PCBs are near to size of a keyboard Switch, so there can be placed in any custom keyboard, if a switch fits, a PCB will do it so, this is suitable for customizable keyboards. Every PCB was designed with a LED neopixel, 100nF capacitor and a 1n4148 diode.

Its tinniest size makes possible wire any keyboardboard you like.

are you dreaming with a macropad? done! you can build it!

Form factor is not a problem!

Some Dactyl manuform has places where comercial PCBs doesen't fits correctly, this is not a problem now

Files

Gerber_files.zip

PCB Gerber Files to upload and order to your PCB manufacturing service

Zip Archive - 17.61 kB - 07/18/2021 at 11:25

Download

keycap.zip

Entire kicad project

Zip Archive - 256.24 kB - 06/02/2021 at 22:57

Download

Dactyl_Manuform_BOM.ods

BOM with links of all components

spreadsheet - 14.09 kB - 06/02/2021 at 22:57

Download

Components

62 × PCB Electronic Components / Misc. Electronic Components

62 × SK6812 4020 Electronic Components

62 × Diodoe 1n4148

62 × 100nF Capacitor

2 × Arduino Pro Micro

Project Logs

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Hackaday prize video entry was uploaded!
Pedro Barbero • 11/13/2021 at 23:35 • 0 comments

Hope you like it! was a hard work do it!
Twitter Account
Pedro Barbero • 08/27/2021 at 17:21 • 0 comments

Do you know I have a twitter account?
I'm trying to push this project up sharing a lot of content about it on twitter, some time lapse videos, fotos and new PCB & 3D designs.
Please consider follow me and subscribe to this project!

https://twitter.com/Ea7Kcx

Thanks!
Arrived new PCB design
Pedro Barbero • 08/23/2021 at 19:38 • 0 comments

HI all,
today arrived the last design of the tiny PCB for handwired keyboards.
As I anticipated days ago, new PCB bring us the possibility of solder the led in two ways, inverting the direction of the data pins. Now, wire the lED, will be easier (I hope) for all of you.
Once you solder the LED you have to mark the white square (to know whats the direction of this PCB)
Working in progress Kailh Low Profile switches
Pedro Barbero • 08/16/2021 at 22:14 • 0 comments

Hi all!

I've looking around aliexpress and founded these switches:

https://es.aliexpress .com/item/4000803757746.html

These switches have a more compact size, with shorter total travel, I've write the footprint for these switches:

I'll upload the PCB version of my project for this footprint
Finished numpad keyboard
Pedro Barbero • 08/14/2021 at 10:52 • 0 comments

Hi all, just finished wiring and programming of my numpad keyboard using the same PCB used at the dactyl manuform keyboard, hope you like it!
New PCB design!
Pedro Barbero • 08/04/2021 at 09:24 • 0 comments

Hi all,
I've designed a new PCB to improve some features:
1.- Added 2 gaps for mechanical support for some switches

2.- Connector pads are now through hole, are smaller too, but is necessary to add the to gaps described before.

3.- now you can mount the sk6812 4020 twisted 180º too, so it swap the direction pin:

Now there isn't DIN or DOUT silkscreen to indicate the data direction, when you solder the led you set de direction pin too.
Added numpad to equipment
Pedro Barbero • 07/18/2021 at 08:40 • 0 comments

I also build a numpad to show you how PCBs can fit in any form factor keyboard.

These PCBs can be used to build macro-keyboards with under glow keys too!
PCB description
Pedro Barbero • 06/02/2021 at 22:57 • 0 comments

PCB desing, it fits into more difficult places inside the dactyl manuform
PCB size information
Finished keyboard
Pedro Barbero • 06/02/2021 at 22:54 • 0 comments

A pick of the finished keyboard, and some lights animations

View all 9 project logs

Build Instructions

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1st 3D printing!

First time we will 3D print both dactyl-manuform keyboards

Models used in this build are the joseandres42 dactyl-manuform version:

https://github.com/joseandres42/dactyl-manuform-mini-keyboard

Original Dactyl-Manuform repo by bstiq:

https://github.com/bstiq/dactyl-manuform-mini-keyboard

At this repo you can find any information about to build, we'll be focused to the PCB build alternative.

Ordering Electronics

You can find in the BOM file in this project every components an parts to complete the project:

Parts	Qty	Link
SK6812 4020	100	Neopixel Aliexpress Link
100nF Capacitor	100	Capacitors Aliexpress Link
Diode 1n4148(SOD-323)	100	Diodes Aliexpress Link
Switches	65	Kailh Aliexpress Link
DSA KeyCaps	68	DSA KeyCaps Aliexpress Link
Arduino Pro Micro	2	Arduino pro micro Aliexpress Link
USB C board	2	USB C board Aliexpress Link
Micro USB 4pin Male	2	Micro USB cable Aliexpress Link
Wiring Cable	inf	Wiring Cable

Ordering PCBs

To order the PCBs i've use the JLCPCB service:

Gerber files are in description

Discussions

Oleksandr Kostian wrote 04/10/2023 at 22:29

Hi. I've seen manuals that mention the use of resistors. Was your keyboard assembled without resistors?

Are you sure? yes | no

AlexTemp wrote 01/22/2022 at 15:16

Good afternoon. This is fantastic work and a great article. I have a question. Do I need keyboard reset buttons to install Arduino firmware? I am new to keyboard assembly. Where can I see a detailed tutorial on how to solder the switches? Thanks.

Are you sure? yes | no

Pedro Barbero wrote 05/15/2022 at 19:43

Hi! Sorry for not answer you at time!

First time you upload the firmware you have to reset it manualy, but in the first firware you can set a pair of two keyswitches to reset the arduino as a software reset. Then won't be necessary use the arduino's hardware reset from the board.

Are you sure? yes | no

AlexTemp wrote 05/17/2022 at 13:32

No problem. I'll get back to the project when the war is over. Thank you.

Are you sure? yes | no

Tom Nardi wrote 08/29/2021 at 20:17

Brilliant idea, love it.

Are you sure? yes | no

Pedro Barbero wrote 08/30/2021 at 07:04

Thank you very much Tom!

Are you sure? yes | no

PCB for HandWired Keyboards

Description

Details