Author Topic: Beefing Up a CM Storm Key Tester (Read 23103 times)

Grendel · « **on:** Sun, 04 January 2015, 20:25:48 »

Ever since I hacked a Teensy into Cooler Master's key tester 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, 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:

Resistors go in 1st:

The Teensy needs to be almost flush, a piece of sticky note on the back will create a wee bit of clearance:

Teensy is set, about to start w/ the 1st switch:

Switches are in, LED's come next:

All done, switches are MX White w/ Clear springs (my personal favorite):

Fitting the assembly into the lower shell:

Cutting the hole for the USB connector is a ***** :/

Final shot:

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.

rowdy · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 04 January 2015, 20:35:09 »

Very nicely done!

I wonder how well a kit of the parts wold sell?

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 04 January 2015, 20:54:08 »

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

dorkvader · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 04 January 2015, 23:04:53 »

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)

Grendel · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 05 January 2015, 01:20:34 »

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..)

infiniti · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 12 January 2015, 06:20:47 »

This is awesome! Great job!

Grendel · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 12 January 2015, 12:32:30 »

Thanks !

Here it is as I'm using it at work:

Caps are Vortex PBT/POM DS.

rowdy · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 12 January 2015, 23:48:33 »

Not only looks good, but work well too

geo462rge · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 00:32:31 »

created an account just to post here, would you happen to have any extra boards for sale?

MGH · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 00:36:44 »

Quote from: geo462rge on Thu, 15 January 2015, 00:32:31

created an account just to post here, would you happen to have any extra boards for sale?

Massdrop is selling them right now

Grendel · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 12:44:51 »

Quote from: MGH on Thu, 15 January 2015, 00:36:44

Quote from: geo462rge on Thu, 15 January 2015, 00:32:31
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.

inanis · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 13:01:02 »

Quote from: Grendel on Thu, 15 January 2015, 12:44:51

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.

jdcarpe · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 13:05:05 »

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?

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 13:16:06 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 15 January 2015, 13:05:05

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.

geo462rge · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 14:19:02 »

i would take a pcb as well if anyone gets something together. (Got here from massdrop actually)

Grendel · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 15:20:30 »

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 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.

HPE1000 · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 15:22:36 »

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.

rowdy · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 15 January 2015, 19:09:08 »

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

inanis · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 16 January 2015, 09:34:17 »

I would also be interested in a few of these as well.

jdcarpe · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 16 January 2015, 10:04:35 »

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.

neiru37 · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 16 January 2015, 12:00:36 »

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.

geo462rge · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 16 January 2015, 14:37:28 »

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.

tahuds · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 19 January 2015, 19:31:21 »

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.

Evo_Spec · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 19 January 2015, 20:03:58 »

Not sure how i missed this for so long! This is super cool, nice work!

bpiphany · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 17 March 2015, 10:04:45 »

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

worldspawn · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:17:20 »

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

ficklampa · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 17 May 2015, 08:04:16 »

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

ficklampa · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 23 May 2015, 14:58:42 »

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.

KTKM · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 07 July 2015, 01:04:36 »

Will this work with the pro trinket from Adafruit?

suicidal_orange · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 07 July 2015, 05:15:33 »

Quote from: KTKM on Tue, 07 July 2015, 01:04:36

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.

KTKM · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 07 July 2015, 08:40:19 »

Quote from: suicidal_orange on Tue, 07 July 2015, 05:15:33

Quote from: KTKM on Tue, 07 July 2015, 01:04:36
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.

KTKM · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 23 July 2015, 12:25:15 »

Quick question, how do you open the underside of the tester?

Carlos_the_turtle · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 23 July 2015, 15:59:19 »

Quote from: KTKM on Thu, 23 July 2015, 12:25:15

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. Don't be too afraid of breaking it, I was able to leverage pretty hard without any permanent damage.

KTKM · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 23 July 2015, 16:43:46 »

Quote from: Carlos_the_turtle on Thu, 23 July 2015, 15:59:19

Quote from: KTKM on Thu, 23 July 2015, 12:25:15
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. 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.

Carlos_the_turtle · « **Reply #34 on:** Thu, 23 July 2015, 19:13:08 »

Quote from: KTKM on Thu, 23 July 2015, 16:43:46

Quote from: Carlos_the_turtle on Thu, 23 July 2015, 15:59:19
Quote from: KTKM on Thu, 23 July 2015, 12:25:15
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. 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.

sth · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 04 August 2015, 12:38:07 »

so this is probably a real dumb question but maybe you'll humor me. will this work without the diodes?

bpiphany · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 04 August 2015, 13:04:43 »

Yes, there are no diodes

Only LEDs, and yes it will work without them as well.

sth · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 04 August 2015, 15:06:02 »

Quote from: bpiphany on Tue, 04 August 2015, 13:04:43

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

sth · « **Reply #38 on:** Fri, 07 August 2015, 03:33:06 »

weeee! finished my project last night and took some pics today:
please excuse my soldering butchery... had a few beers during the process.

rowdy · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 07 August 2015, 05:22:55 »

Very nicely done

00zeRO · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 14 October 2015, 12:52:02 »

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?

odd · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 01 December 2015, 13:50:24 »

I would love to buy at least 3 of the SixShooter boards.

Edit: I have 3 in the mail, woowoo


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Author Topic: Beefing Up a CM Storm Key Tester (Read 23103 times)