deskthority

Hi there!

A friend of mine designed this awesome board as a successor to my attempt (https://aaron-fischer.net/pzx). It can be programmed with the TMK firmware and used as a additional keypad for all sorts of things.

Are there some interest in a GB (PCB only)?
I think I can do it for 10 EUR for the PCB + Shipping (which i don't know how much at the moment).

very nice work mate

sign me up.

I might be up for one too

Looks really good. Interested.

up for one

PCB only so no controller whatsoever soldered on? Or am I understanding this wrong?

Anyway probably interested if I don't have to solder the controller on myself

True, I only just saw that. There are solder pads for an Atmel controller there, but if he says PCB only it's probably not soldered yet...?

exactly why i'm asking, I'm not confident enough with my iron to solder a controller

Just the PCB without the components and without soldering it on the PCB.
If there is any interest, I can calculate the cost for the components. for a small number I can solder the stuff on by hand.

The PCB can be used with or without the Controller. The complete keyboard matrix can also accessed from the pin header at the right to use it with other controllers like an Arduino or a RaspberryPi.

A arduino pro micro socket would be awesome for this.

Wow, that's a really cool idea with the headers. Personally I have soldered a bit but never something as small as a controller. How does one do that? Solder paste?

shreebles wrote: ↑Wow, that's a really cool idea with the headers. Personally I have soldered a bit but never something as small as a controller. How does one do that? Solder paste?

With a normal soldering iron an some practice. the trick is to use a lot of flux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO9CHjdqBr8
Another way is to reflow it in a cheap pizza oven or on a camping heat plate.

The idea to add additional headers for a Arduino Nano is a great idea. I'll check if there is enough space to squeeze it in.

aaron wrote: ↑Just the PCB without the components and without soldering it on the PCB.
If there is any interest, I can calculate the cost for the components. for a small number I can solder the stuff on by hand

Aaand now I'm interested. Are there any plans to host a GB for a case as well?

Dra wrote: ↑Aaand now I'm interested. Are there any plans to host a GB for a case as well?

Not at this time. I have a 3D-Printer. maybe can print some case in ABS or PLA. But It would not be as pretty as a CNC carved case.

It is a tight fit for a Arduino Nano, but it is possible
With some solder pad switches the PCB can do 3 different "modes"

* Arduino Nano hooked at the bottom
* Soldered ATmega32U4 in place
* Pin header at the bottom/top for external use (you can hook up your door bell )

I'd buy one.

Would it be possible to make the PCB alps and MX compatible like the Duck Eagle PCB? If so I would buy one.

Redmaus wrote: ↑Would it be possible to make the PCB alps and MX compatible like the Duck Eagle PCB? If so I would buy one.

From a technical standpoint, it shouldn't be a problem at all, I don't see any conflicts in the alps switch positions.

aaron wrote: ↑

shreebles wrote: ↑Wow, that's a really cool idea with the headers. Personally I have soldered a bit but never something as small as a controller. How does one do that? Solder paste?

With a normal soldering iron an some practice. the trick is to use a lot of flux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO9CHjdqBr8
Another way is to reflow it in a cheap pizza oven or on a camping heat plate.

Thanks, I'll take a look when I get home (at work atm).

Pizza oven is a neat idea. I have an old mini oven and no use for it anymore now that I moved in together with my girl.
Also, that way I don't have to put electronics in our "real" oven and can avoid some trouble with her.

Redmaus wrote: ↑Would it be possible to make the PCB alps and MX compatible like the Duck Eagle PCB? If so I would buy one.

Sure, here is the Alps AND MX compatible board.
I also added some through hole components for the Arduino part, so the soldering will be easier in the arduino-configuration.

Hope all the new fonctionality dont drive the price high.

So in this new version I can buy a 4$ arduino pro micro, stick it in there, get some diodes / switches and I'm good to go ?

aaron wrote: ↑Just the PCB without the components and without soldering it on the PCB.
If there is any interest, I can calculate the cost for the components. for a small number I can solder the stuff on by hand.

The PCB can be used with or without the Controller. The complete keyboard matrix can also accessed from the pin header at the right to use it with other controllers like an Arduino or a RaspberryPi.

I'd be interested if the soldering was included.

does anyone know about numpad compatible cases for it?

Can we have the lenght / widht of the pcb ?

"I think I can do it for 10 EUR for the PCB + Shipping."
Does that change with all the modification ? At what point of price are we ?

The price is still the same. the dimensions are 5.20x3.40 inches (132.11x86.39 mm)
I've modified the PCB a little, arrange some stuff and add some labels.

You can hook up a Arduino Nano. I can add one to the order for 4 EUR.

Remember: This project is still Work in Progress. the PCB is never tested before, a friend of mine and I will inspect the whole PCB several times to find (hopefully) all the bugs. But there is a risk that there s a minor bug which need to be fixed by hand.

Soldering jobs: Maybe ... I am not sure about that if I want to spend several days soldering SMD components or build a small "assembly line" Manufacturing the PCB with a PickAndPlace Machine + Reflow is expensive .... :/

I'm interested although I'd need some hints on how to get from PCB -> working numpad. I've put together an Infinity ErgoDox kit before, but this looks like it requires a bit more know-how.

I could see using two of these as like a split Planck keyboard. Do you see any issues doing something like that?

@brundlefly: Sure, with a little bit of software tweaking and some wires, this is possible.