My_Awesome_Hackpad

[Note: I have logged 1h 41 min + 56 min in my hackpad project and in hackatime I can see that I have an additional 1h 7mins working on the case + 1h 5mins on the firmware. On this devlog it says “1h 28m will be logged”, when it should say 2h 12mins. I’ve requested support in slack but gotten no response, so I’m going to write this devlog with time missing in hopes that after review the time will be added.]
Hii! So today I hopped into fusion and 3d modeled a case for my Hackpad! I added perfect cutouts for the key matrix, the oled and the encoder, as well as a cutout to show off the microcontroller and also one for the HackClub logo I had added to the PCB as a fun easter egg. I debossed both the Stardance logo and a “MADE BY HF” signature onto the side margins, as well. After finishing the case, I set out to write and compile the firmware for my hackpad using QMK Firmware. However, I kept running into quite some errors along they way and used AI to help me debug some of them. I mapped macros for all the keys, including copy, cut, paste, save, undo, redo, save, copy link and select all. I’m really happy with how everything turned out. Stick around till next time for the assembly!

Hey there! After taking some time to fully take in my first pcb iteration, I ralized the switches were too far apart, which would result in the hackpad to not be aesthetic when assembled. Also the SEEEDUINO XIAO was placed on the wrong side, so the cable powering the hackpad would stick out the front, makeing the whole thing look ugly. To solve these issues, I redesigned the hackpad using 8 switches instead of 9, and changing the hackpad layout from vertical to horizontal. I also added M3 mounting holes to all for sides, and referenced 3d models to all components to get a finished look of the pcb assembled. That’s for now, see you on the next devlog.

I always macropads were so freakin’ cool, let alone building one from scratch. This was my first time using KiCad (a software I’ve always wanted to learn btw), so pardon me if it’s not that good. So basically what I did today was design the pcb. First I made the schematic including 9 switches, a rotary encoder, and a small oled display (either a .93” or a .91”, I’m not sure). Because the switches were too many to assign each one to a different gpio pin, I wired them in a matrix. After that, I assigned all the footprints, and lastly hopped into the pcb editor and drew all the traces. I used Claude to help me navigate KiCad, because I was unfamiliar with the interface. That’s for now, see you on the next devlog.