GacroPad Devlog 4

It’s raining outside right now. I’m so thankful for this.

A lot of the firmware for the GacroPad is done, and the companion app (untested) seems to be just fine.

Though, because I’m so persistent, we now have a PCB sketch. It’s not done yet, but we’re so, so close. This will be a real thing. I panicked, because the deadline was the 30th of September. However, things changed, and we now have more time!

This will give me more time to work on CAD, the PCB, and getting funding. I am so very thankful for the people at Stardance for giving not just me, but everyone more time. This will also give me some time to even rate projects the moment I get approved!

More soon to come. For now, keep this in mind:

• The schematic is done, and the PCB will be finished very very soon.
• CAD will be finished. I have an Autodesk Education license, so I will be using that to my advantage. I use Linux, so I cannot use Fusion without some workarounds (which do not work), so Fusion Education is my ticket.
• I have a 3D printer. The moment the first CAD prototype is both finished and fits, it goes straight to the printer. Decisively, it will be printed in PETG.
• Funding is a tough one. I need to find a reliable seller that won’t try to kill me with shipping that can easily ship cheaply even though you can’t really have that. I think Stardance may cover funding for the ESP. Not sure.
• Cherry MX switches are our ticket. They’re good, and they last.
• Keycaps are going to be 3D printed. Gray PETG. This does make the cost more, but all printing materials are footed by me, since it’s better for me to do it.

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For now, the PCB currently looks like the following image. It’s messy, but progress!