[IC] n3rdpad (was: MX-Keypad)

aaron · 03 May 2016, 12:39

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).

b4d_tR1p · 03 May 2016, 12:42

very nice work mate

gogusrl · 03 May 2016, 14:05

sign me up.

scottc · 03 May 2016, 14:24

I might be up for one too

shreebles · 03 May 2016, 15:05

Looks really good. Interested.

Alkhar · 03 May 2016, 15:55

up for one

Dra · 03 May 2016, 17:40

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

shreebles · 03 May 2016, 18:01

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...?

Dra · 03 May 2016, 18:10

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

aaron · 03 May 2016, 20:11

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.

gogusrl · 03 May 2016, 20:19

A arduino pro micro socket would be awesome for this.

shreebles · 03 May 2016, 20:40

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?

aaron · 03 May 2016, 20:50

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.

Dra · 03 May 2016, 21:07

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?

aaron · 03 May 2016, 21:16

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.

aaron · 03 May 2016, 21:17

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

)

TalkingTree · 03 May 2016, 21:34

I'd buy one.

Redmaus · 04 May 2016, 06:05

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

mohitgarg · 04 May 2016, 08:42

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.

shreebles · 04 May 2016, 08:48

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.

aaron · 05 May 2016, 11:02

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.

Alkhar · 05 May 2016, 14:31

Hope all the new fonctionality dont drive the price high.

gogusrl · 05 May 2016, 14:49

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 ?

chuckdee · 05 May 2016, 18:08

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.

Prelim · 05 May 2016, 18:24

does anyone know about numpad compatible cases for it?

Alkhar · 05 May 2016, 21:19

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 ?

aaron · 05 May 2016, 22:53

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 .... :/

xtr0n · 06 May 2016, 03:05

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.

brundlefly · 25 May 2016, 13:01

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

aaron · 02 Jun 2016, 00:25

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