geekhack Projects > Making Stuff Together!
New to the forum, want to build my own keyboard add on
alaricljs:
Lowpoly's method is just plating up the keys and doing point to point wiring directly to the switch leads.
braaaiiins:
--- Quote from: overture1928 on Mon, 30 July 2012, 12:43:47 ---Interesting.
I don't know exactly how MX switches work inside but would those wires be hooked up to the leads at all times? Is there some other contacts inside the switch that knows to send a signal when the switch is pressed?
--- End quote ---
The leads must always be attached. Like any switch, these mx switches physically connect the two terminals. MX switches are NO (normally open) which means when they are pressed down they close the switch and presto, a key is triggered.
edit:
And welcome to the forum. Wish you the best of luck on your project. Please post pictures!
theultrazord:
For the controller people have recommended using a teensy as it uses the atmegau32 controller which will be recognized by your computer as a human interface device.
http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_keyboard.html
http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html
http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/usb_keyboard.html
Also look up how to set up a keyboard matrix. If you want to break down something that exists and use that, http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/reversing-a-keyboard-matrix-t7.html is a good tutorial on figuring out what is assigned to what so you can just take the chip and use it in your new keyboard.
Also if you are going to plate mount but use wire leads its a good idea to just pick one out of a cheaper keyboard that you have lying around (if its larger than what you want saw off the Fkey and everything right of the main letter pad so its a 60% board).
Edit: If you change your mind and want to make your keyboard out of bananas or cereal you could use http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joylabs/makey-makey-an-invention-kit-for-everyone and have most of the work done for you.
overture1928:
--- Quote from: braaaiiins on Mon, 30 July 2012, 16:38:38 ---
--- Quote from: overture1928 on Mon, 30 July 2012, 12:43:47 ---Interesting.
I don't know exactly how MX switches work inside but would those wires be hooked up to the leads at all times? Is there some other contacts inside the switch that knows to send a signal when the switch is pressed?
--- End quote ---
The leads must always be attached. Like any switch, these mx switches physically connect the two terminals. MX switches are NO (normally open) which means when they are pressed down they close the switch and presto, a key is triggered.
edit:
And welcome to the forum. Wish you the best of luck on your project. Please post pictures!
--- End quote ---
Thanks man! Totally answered my question
overture1928:
--- Quote from: Djuzuh on Mon, 30 July 2012, 01:56:53 ---What's the point of the little PCB thingies at the bottom of the switch?
Check out those https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ovZJihnxd2U/UADubh5WZRI/AAAAAAAACwA/aUiNfUU-Ol8/s600/HBFS30_linkline.gif
--- End quote ---
Where can I buy these leads?
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