Instructions | PCB for HandWired Keyboards

1

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

3

Ordering PCBs

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

Gerber files are in description
4

Strart building!

Mount Siwtches and keycaps in place:

And prepare soldering iron for the next step!
5

Soldering

First step in soldering is to solder the 62 PCBs:

Once 62 PCBs are soldered, start soldering the keyboard, its important to ensure that every neopixel communication works perfectly:

I recommend solder and wire row by row and testing with an arduino with a neopixel example code, but this is the next step.

Once you finished the keyboard, you have to start with the other one:
6

Neopixel communication test

To test that every row works ( start testing row by row and ad the end, the entire keyboard) you can use a neopixel example code from the internet and a arduino:

I've use a rainbow animation from a code from internet:

https://www.tweaking4all.com/hardware/arduino/adruino-led-strip-effects/

Final results:
7

Wiring Rows and Cols

now we have to wire as i show in the images, wiring is Row to Col (remember it for QMK configuration)
The other keyboard is exactly the same but mirrored :)
To wire arduinos pro micro, you have to follow the original dactyl manuform post for the pinout.
8

Coding QMK Firmware

To finish the project we have to upload a firmware to our keyboards, y use I2C communication and the layout isDvorak-es by joseandres42 (forked repo):
Original QMK Firmware
9

Enjoy your new Dactyl Manuform keyboard with underglow keycaps lights!

Discussions

Mike wrote 11/18/2022 at 05:38

Do you have anything with a bit more information on the wiring? Maybe what goes to what for which purpose? I'm brand new at this and while this looks interesting it's a bit intimidating :)

Are you sure? yes | no

Mapembert wrote 08/01/2021 at 23:18

This is great work! In theory how many keys could be used in one keyboard? Like the max?

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Pedro Barbero wrote 08/02/2021 at 04:58

Hi Mapembert, thankyou for your comment and following my project.

theoretically each SK6812 4020 has a current consumption of 1mA (Page 5/15 of this PDF):

http://www.normandled.com/upload/201804/SK6812%204020%20SIDE%20LED%20Datasheet.pdf

USB can handle about 1A, so you can build a complete 104 ISO keys keyboard with these PCBs. Actually I'm driving 62 leds with a single USB with any problem.

I recommend set the max PWM in QMK software about 100 or lower (leds are too bright), pushing down the current consumption.

https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/feature_rgblight.md

Here you have more information about neopixel configuration in QMK.

This information will be added to the building instruction

Are you sure? yes | no

PCB for HandWired Keyboards

Discussions

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