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Chiral - ambidextrous rgb numpad

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bakageta:
I made a post the other day about this on reddit, but I finally got around to throwing things on github so I thought I'd make a post here too. I've had too much time on my hands lately and decided to do a custom pcb instead of a handwire for my next keyboard, but I thought a full keyboard was a bit ambitious for my first custom pcb. I shelved that idea, and started in on something a bit smaller - a numpad. I've been considering a Helix build, and thought the design would make a great numpad with a few tweaks.

The result is (hopefully) a numpad that can be built either left or right handed, with or without an extra column of buttons, and has per-key RGB plus an OLED screen. You can see the layout here:



Because of the RGB cutouts, the only optional layout is to Dremel off the outermost row and solder 3 jumpers. Switch spacing is standard 19.05mm, changed from Helix's 19mm. I've ordered a small batch from JLCPCB that just shipped out today, mostly because I was too impatient to see what anyone had to say first. I used most of the Helix's footprints and referenced it heavily as I laid things out. I've got the kicad and gerber files up on github, as well as some pcb renders if anyone wants to take a look.

https://github.com/bakageta/Chiral

suicidal_orange:
Looks great, assuming it works :thumb:

The only improvement I can think of would be putting the screen in the middle but that's probably harder.  Also the switch holes look like the PCB works either way up but I'm pretty sure the [Teensy/pro-micro] has to go one way round, so if the board's upside-down the screen will be on the back?  This could be an example of not-quite-awake stupidity, sorry if it is!

bakageta:
Like the Helix, there are two sets of pins for the pro micro, offset just slightly. You should be able to build this left or right handed and still put the pro micro on top. There are also 4 jumpers for the OLED pins to flip the orientation. Now I just hope it works, haha.

katotaka:
hmmmm choc support, some extra keys for nav and stuff, perfect companion for the helix

bakageta:
Prototypes are here!



Some closeups with my thoughts can be seen here.

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