Nexus Hackpad

I started learning how to mate parts and draw sketches to create a case for my custom PCB in Onshape. I decided to go with Onshape instead of Fusion 360 because I’m going to have to get some experience with it for my school robotics team, which I will join next year. Other than learning and applying the features, I spent a good chunk of time measuring my PCB so my case actually fits it. Although at the end, when I imported the PCB along with all my components, it still didn’t fit, even though I measured everything carefully, the OLED cutout and rotary encoder cutout were still misaligned by a hair :( So next time I want to fix that, and mainly add decoration to my case. I’m thinking of adding curves to the edges, and mainly filling up the space at the top to compensate for the extra space, maybe with an engraved logo. Until then, I will think of more ideas to make my case stand out!

This is my second devlog! During these 2 hours, I completely finished my PCB, including decorations, and added some 3D components onto the footprint in KiCAD. First, I debated whether or not to put the microcontroller on the PCB so it intersects my OLED screen; I routed everything and asked in Slack whether it was OK. In the end, I decided to go with my initial and safe setup so I can add decorations to my PCB. I also took inspiration from the orpheuspad and wanted to add a Hack Club flag on top of my text. This took me way too long to figure out, and I made a lot of mistakes 😔, but in the end I figured it out. Then I added a rocket to represent “Nexus,” the closest representation I could think of. Finally, I wanted to know how to add 3D models of some of my components so I wouldn’t have to add them later on in my CAD software. In the end, it turned out pretty cool and was rather easy.😁 The next time, I have to design my case, which I have been nervous about. Until then, I need to watch some tutorials and familiarize myself with Onshape. 

This is my first devlog for the Nexus Pad! During this chunk of time, I managed to complete the schematic and almost all of my PCB work for my macro pad! It will contain 9 switches in a 3x3 layout, all backlit by LEDs, a rotary encoder, and a screen.

One issue I faced with the schematic was that I didn’t know where to connect S1 and S2 on the rotary encoder. I initially connected it to my matrix, but then realized most of the other schematics used a separate GPIO pin for it, which I sadly didn’t have the space for. :( After placing everything and realizing my diodes were wrong, I started to route my parts, but as I got to connecting the power wires to everything, it was annoying to have to route around the already placed cables, even with vias. So as I would expect, the routing doesn’t look the greatest in the world, but I did do it all myself.

At the end, when I ran the DRC, it said the holes were too close to the pads on the LEDs, but I asked in the Slack, and so many people helped me identify the issue and suggest things that I am missing.

I look forward to actually making everything look neat and a bit of a personal touch to it; until then, I will dread making my case and learning Fusion 360. :(