Hackpad

I have now finally completed my project firmware and named it “Clutchpad” (ill use it for gaming). All the files and images have been uploaded to github and will now submit the design and hope it gets accepted.

I am working on the firmware for my hackpad. I am using kmk for it and plan to switch to qmk after a while. It is quite challenging as the docs are kinda tough to understand and there are not many yt videos teaching the concept.

I have finally completed the case for my hackpad. I will now once go through all the design again and make any minimal changes if required. Then ill start woking on the firmware for my board.

Hello. I am currently working on making the backplate of the hackpad. This process is taking quite a time as it is my first time using fusion and designing 3d things. Learning many new things while working.

Hello. I am now working on the case. I imported my pcb design file into fusion. Then i figured which type of keyoard layout would be perfect for me. I did some measurements of my pcb and starting to work on the backplate.

Hello. Today I learned fusion 360 by watching a yt video which tought some basics of using the software. I made a simple assembly using it. Now i will start designing the case for the hackpad and will learn new things as they come on my way. If anyone has any suggestions regarding my project pls let me know.

Hello. I have now completed the pcb part. I traced the connections on the pcb. had to reduce the no of LED’s by 4 as they have 4 pins so create kindof a problem when spread. Had to repeat everything again like assigning 3d models, arranging etc.

I started routing my pcb. But then i discovered i had made a huge blunder. I had not connected led to the microcontroller and the orientation of things was not perfect so i had to place vias . many of them. Now ill have to start the pcb design over again. I guess ill even have to remove those extra jumpers that i has previously added . T_T

I added 3d models for each components in kicad. This took quite a time as i couldnt figure out how to add 3d model into footprint. I have 9 switches and 10 led so had to add the 3d model to each one of them. I tried adding it to the footprint and was even succesfull in that but still the 3d models were not coming into the 3d viewer. If someone has any idea regarding how to asign same 3d model to many pieces of same component in kicad pls let me know in the comments. Also if there is any design change that you think will be helpful let me know.

I arranged the components in the pcb editor. The part that was a little challenging was deciding the gap. I searched of the keycap width and breadth and then spaced accordingly. I also made some changes in the led arrangement and added an led. Also i was facing problem with some footprints i had added so i troubleshooted them as well. Then viewed it in 3d and it seems to be good. I will now add a logo or something to the pcb. Then will start working on the 3d case.

I assigned the footprints to the schematic components. Then i converted in into pcb. However i am facing the problem that the 13th pin of the xiao board is also being assigned as 5v . The same problem is happening in the oled module. I thought that i had downloaded the wrong footprint for the board. but then i downloaded from the official site and uploaded them but still facing the same problem. Later i checked the problem was i had done a huge blundr. All the things are correct just at one place i had mistakenly connected the gnd and 5v. (spent too much time but learned something ). Will now work on designing the pcb and the orientation of components. Pls let me know if you have any suggestions for the same.

I realised that the schematic i designed earlier was too basic and could be done better. So I have now added diodes (as i have to use a matrix design cuz it does the task by utilising only 6 pins of the controller). I have also added an oled display and a rotary encoder. I also thought of adding lights to make it cooler and think of controlling them using the rotary encoder. Also i had a pin left so i have provided headers for that extra pin , gnd, 3.3v, 5v, scl and sda(so if i want to add something in the future it will be much more accessible). Will once again check this circuit for any errors and assign footprints and then design the pcb . Currently thinking for some design ideas for the pcb rather than rectangular.

I designed the basic schematic. Might think of adding a feature or two. Learning while working.

Currently working on learning kicad so i can design the schematic and pcb.