geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Grendel on Sun, 04 January 2015, 20:25:48
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Ever since I hacked a Teensy (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48073.msg1536834#msg1536834) into Cooler Master's key tester (http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/) I thought this could be done more "professional" w/ a custom made PCB. Unfortunately, I have a hard time wrapping my head around PCB design software, despite the fact that I work w/ PCB's pretty much every day -- I can read schematics, trace diagrams, know electronic components -- CAD software freaks me out :/ So I bounced the idea of a few people I know doing PCB design work almost every day, last one was bpiphany (designer of the Costar Replacement Controllers (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46700.0), one of my all time favorite DIY projects) -- he came up w/ a PCB design w/in half a day and set me up w/ pcbwing to have four protos made :) Here's the short (picture) story of how this worked out for your entertainment.
Unpacking and inspecting for fit, looking good:
(http://s28.postimg.org/87qz5ckx5/MG_1144.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/87qz5ckx5/) (http://s28.postimg.org/x2agzf5rd/MG_1145.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/x2agzf5rd/) (http://s28.postimg.org/9pcfgwpnt/MG_1150.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/9pcfgwpnt/)
Resistors go in 1st:
(http://s28.postimg.org/nkapzdk2x/MG_1151.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/nkapzdk2x/)
The Teensy needs to be almost flush, a piece of sticky note on the back will create a wee bit of clearance:
(http://s28.postimg.org/keq4961gp/MG_1153.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/keq4961gp/)
Teensy is set, about to start w/ the 1st switch:
(http://s28.postimg.org/93ngksull/MG_1154.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/93ngksull/)
Switches are in, LED's come next:
(http://s28.postimg.org/dqtimkhyh/MG_1155.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/dqtimkhyh/)
All done, switches are MX White w/ Clear springs (my personal favorite):
(http://s22.postimg.org/a057kfm25/MG_1156.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/a057kfm25/) (http://s22.postimg.org/wdcy78mzx/MG_1157.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wdcy78mzx/)
Fitting the assembly into the lower shell:
(http://s22.postimg.org/6vujnn59p/MG_1158.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6vujnn59p/)
Cutting the hole for the USB connector is a ***** :/
(http://s22.postimg.org/tltogmoh9/MG_1160.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/tltogmoh9/) (http://s22.postimg.org/6zod3war1/MG_1163.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6zod3war1/)
Final shot:
(http://s22.postimg.org/4h2o37p0t/MG_1161.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4h2o37p0t/)
Everything is working as planned, I'm happy :) It's a bit of a novelty tho, I don't think there are many uses -- media controller, Dota keyboard, cursor block next to a 60% board (my personal favorite.) Not the most cost efficient way to do it either, 4 boards run at $50 (although this would substantially come down w/ volume), a Teensy is $16. Thoughts ?
Edit: Source code and hex file can be found here (https://code.google.com/p/corecon/source/browse/trunk/corecon#corecon%2FSixShooter).
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Very nicely done!
I wonder how well a kit of the parts wold sell?
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Very interesting, thanks for sharing.
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Why are you using a 3.3K for the "fn" switch LED and 2.2K for the rest? (or 330R vs 110R if that's brown, not red)
Since there are so few switches, I would go for a 6*1 matrix (NKRO without diodes) and a very cheap arduino pro micro (about $6 instead of $16 for a teensy)
Otherwise: excellent! It's a great device and solves the main problem with the techkeys business card (too few keys)
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Thanks for the comments, appreciate it :)
I got different LED's in the switches -- red for the arrow cluster, blue for Fn and green for the skull key. The green LED's I got are a bit on the bright side (8400mcd @ 20mA), so I installed a 3k3 for it.
Ah yes, the matrix is wired up as 6x1 w/o diodes, the LED's are PWM driven individually (7.8kHz cycle in this case.) Looks like a Pro Micro could be a possible substitute, have to look into that. I used a Teensy mainly because I have them lying around and I like the bootloader (I don't do Arduino and I hate Flip w/ a passion..)
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This is awesome! Great job! :thumb:
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Thanks ! :)
Here it is as I'm using it at work:
(http://s1.postimg.org/cdcwuq02j/MG_1417.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cdcwuq02j/)
Caps are Vortex PBT/POM DS.
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Not only looks good, but work well too :D
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created an account just to post here, would you happen to have any extra boards for sale?
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created an account just to post here, would you happen to have any extra boards for sale?
Massdrop is selling them right now ;)
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created an account just to post here, would you happen to have any extra boards for sale?
Massdrop is selling them right now ;)
Ah, no and no, sorry (MD is selling another round of the CM Demo Tester, not the PCB !) Based on the low interest level so far I doubt there will be more boards made.
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Ah, no and no, sorry (MD is selling another round of the CM Demo Tester, not the PCB !) Based on the low interest level so far I doubt there will be more boards made.
It is too bad that there there is no plan for a few more of these. It is completely awesome. I'd love something like this.
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I need a PCB for mine, now. I wonder how much a run of 3 would cost through OSHPark? They have good prices for small footprint PCBs.
Thoughts, Grendel?
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I need a PCB for mine, now. I wonder how much a run of 3 would cost through OSHPark? They have good prices for small footprint PCBs.
Thoughts, Grendel?
I'll take one or 3 to help with numbers.
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i would take a pcb as well if anyone gets something together. (Got here from massdrop actually)
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The only price point I have is the proto run w/ PCBWing -- $50.97 inc. shipping for four boards. Boards are dual layer, 57x53mm in size (4.7in^2, looks like $25 for 3 at OSHPark ?). bpiphany (https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=6408) was setting this up for me, he also owns the design and files of the board. I would not have a problem if he or anyone else is having more boards made (as long the dedication texts stay in place.) I'll point him to this threat.
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Depending on how price ends up I will buy 2, I guess I will join the drop on massdrop. I can make it a media controller that I have always wanted.
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I might be interested, but the price will be the deciding factor. I'm basically all spent out for a couple of months :(
BTW TechKeys is selling the CM switch tester too: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/cm-switch-tester
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I would also be interested in a few of these as well. :thumb:
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Sounds like there is enough interest to get a larger batch made by PCBwing. It would be cheaper in the volume we are looking at than buying 3 at a time from OSHPark.
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I'm interested in getting one too for my cmstorm switch tester (just got mine from the previous drop from massdrop) if it gets to a reasonable price.
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yeah, count me in and i know someone else interestsed. between the both of us we would be down for three. its all about who would be willing to lead this i guess. shipping and what not is possible, just would take some time.
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I'm in as well, this looks amazing! It'll be a perfect complement to my JD40 for home use, get me back my media keys, etc.
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Not sure how i missed this for so long! This is super cool, nice work!
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Grendel seems to have gone MIA for a while. I wen ahead and ordered some more PCBs. I mean it was I who designed it after all =) I'll let him in on the fame and fortune if he re-surfaces.
The classifieds thread is waiting for moderation, but should be available here eventually https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70033
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Your PCB cost seems very high, try ITEAD Studio, They're really fast (1 week from order placed to having the boards in my hands) They're $19.90 for 10 boards (2 more free if you're open source) @10X10cm, and cheap shipping. http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb/pcb-prototyping/im120418003.html
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For me it says "unreadable" in the teensy loader :(
15:07:10: Open File event
15:07:11: ihex: parse error line 1
Edit: LOL nevermind, it was my fault.. Thought right click -> "save link as" would work for the hex file, apparently saved a bunch of HTML code instead. xD
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Btw, is there some hidden mode or something? I double clicked on the top right button and the LEDs start to flash instead of shining with a constant shine.
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Will this work with the pro trinket from Adafruit?
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Will this work with the pro trinket from Adafruit?
No, this PCB needs 7 pins for the switches and at least another 2 for LEDs - the Trinket only has 5 pins.
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Will this work with the pro trinket from Adafruit?
No, this PCB needs 7 pins for the switches and at least another 2 for LEDs - the Trinket only has 5 pins.
The pro trinket has 18 GPIO pins.
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Quick question, how do you open the underside of the tester?
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Quick question, how do you open the underside of the tester?
It is a pain in the ass to get open, there are tabs on both the front and back keeping the case together. I found the easiest way was what was described in this post https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0). Don't be too afraid of breaking it, I was able to leverage pretty hard without any permanent damage.
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Quick question, how do you open the underside of the tester?
It is a pain in the ass to get open, there are tabs on both the front and back keeping the case together. I found the easiest way was what was described in this post https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0). Don't be too afraid of breaking it, I was able to leverage pretty hard without any permanent damage.
Yeah I was afraid of breaking it, thanks for the info, that post is useful too.
Edit: I don't have a wedged pry tool like he has there :/
I have only a guitar pick and a short wedge.
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Quick question, how do you open the underside of the tester?
It is a pain in the ass to get open, there are tabs on both the front and back keeping the case together. I found the easiest way was what was described in this post https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0). Don't be too afraid of breaking it, I was able to leverage pretty hard without any permanent damage.
Yeah I was afraid of breaking it, thanks for the info, that post is useful too.
Edit: I don't have a wedged pry tool like he has there :/
I have only a guitar pick and a short wedge.
Yeah I didn't either, I actually used a spatula from a chemistry lab but you could probably get away with a butter knife if you had a thin enough one or maybe the guitar pick or short wedge to get a little gap and then a butter knife.
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so this is probably a real dumb question but maybe you'll humor me. will this work without the diodes?
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Yes, there are no diodes ;) Only LEDs, and yes it will work without them as well.
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Yes, there are no diodes ;) Only LEDs, and yes it will work without them as well.
thanks :) i should have my step mania controller finished in the next couple of days then!! i'm glad i never sold my ddr arrow key set :)
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weeee! finished my project last night and took some pics today:
please excuse my soldering butchery... had a few beers during the process.
(https://i.imgur.com/zx8WEjB.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/SL1t1UJ.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Sbm9P55.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/rWfw16H.png)
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Very nicely done :)
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Pardon my electronewbness but which Ohmage do I go with when planning to use SIP sockets and swapping out LED's at will? I have enough to do all 470 ohm and I have enough 1 k ohm resistors to do the job. Which would be best?
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I would love to buy at least 3 of the SixShooter boards.
Edit: I have 3 in the mail, woowoo