Dashie Keys

DIY Work in progress of my own keyboard using a Teensy 2.0++ and Cherry MX keys.

BOM

Qty	Value	Package	Parts	Description
92	1N4148	1206	D1 to D92	100V 0.15A standard switching diode
2	Conn_01x04	Socket_Strip_Straight_1x04_Pitch2.54mm	J2 J3	Generic connector, single row, 01x04
1	Conn_01x02	Socket_Strip_Straight_1x02_Pitch2.54mm	J1	Generic connector, single row, 01x02
92	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX1A_1.00u_PCB	SW1 to SW92	Cherry MX switches
88	Cherry Caps		SW1 to SW92 except SW42, 48, 55, 70	Cherry MX ‘1u’ caps
3	Cherry Caps		SW42, 48, 55	Cherry MX ‘2u’ vertical caps
1	Cherry Caps		SW70	Cherry MX ‘6.25u’ spacebar cap
5	SW_Push	SW_PUSH_6mm	SW96 to SW100	Push button switch, generic
1	Teensy 2.0++		U1	Teensy 2.0++ only

Oops

The schematics does have row1 to row8 but in fact the PCB is, from top to bottom: row8, row1 ... row7.

The schematics haven't been updated for this change, which have been done while routing the board, the bottom row was put on the top for a better layout arrangement, sorry.

The keyboard-layout json and builder reflects properly this change.

PD6 does have the builtin LED, causing some issues.

Cut track between D6 and the switch pin and connect that pin to E0.

E0 is pin number 11 from the right when you have the side with keys in front of you.

See docs/track_fix.jpg for visual.

PCB Revisions

V1

See tag v1 for this revision.

This is the first one I made, some issues, but without too much impact if you are careful:

• D48 is close to MK5 and may touch
• lot of vias for ground plane stitching are very close to diodes or plated holes
• D_1206 from KiCad libraries are made for reflow soldering, a bit tricky by hand, but it can be done slowly and carefuly

V2

In pcb_v2 folder.

Fixes V1 issues.

V3

In pcb_v3 folder.

WIP:

• RGB SK6812mini support
• micro UI/Settings keys as real matrix
• display usage perhaps
• trackpoint planning

Keys

• Total : 92 keys
  • A-Z, 1-9, ,./\ etc. : 47
  • Modifiers (ctrl, start, altLR, shiftLR, tab, backspace, del, esc) : 11
  • Enter : 1
  • Space : 1
  • Navigation (<>V^, home, end, pg up down) : 8
  • Fx : 12
  • Special keys : 12

From my tastes:

• clear : 60
  • normals, space, Fx
• brown : 20
  • modifiers, navigation, enter
• grey : 12
  • specials

You can choose differents feelings for the keys, you only need “PCB Mount” ones.

Ordering key caps

I ordered from WASD Keyboards :

• 3x Numpad “Enter” Cherry MX Keycap (R1 2x1.00)
• Arrow Keys Cherry MX Keycap Set
• Row 1, Size 1x1 Cherry MX Keycap (R1 1x1)
• 104-Key Custom Cherry MX Keycap Set (with custom layout file: docs/wasd-104-keys-template.svg)

Firmware

It use QMK firmware

git clone https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/
cd qmk_firmware
make git-submodule
cp -r ~/where/is/dashie-keys/firmware/dashie_keys keyboards/
make dashie_keys:default

Then use any Teensy flasher to flash dashie_keys_default.hex.

Firmware special features

There a function key right under ctrl, bottom left of keyboard

I have a “save” icon on my left CTRL key, doing func+ctrl will trigger a CTRL+s

The keyboard can emulate a mouse movements and btns: func+arrow keys, move mouse, func+home=left click, end = right one

There is some multimedia keys too, check keyboard layout

There is a reset key on top-right of keyboard, can be used for programming

Made With

• KiCAD EDA
  • Version 5.x only, or nightly until 5.x is released. Format isn't compatible with KiCAD 4.x.

Author

• Dashie dashie@otter.sh

Inspiration and sources

• The Reform Keyboard of mntmn: https://github.com/mntmn/reform/tree/master/mntcomp-keyboard
• Various KiCad third party libs and footprints:
  • https://gitlab.com/marsin/kicad-libs
  • https://github.com/XenGi/teensy.pretty
  • https://github.com/XenGi/teensy_library

License

Schematics and PCB under MIT. Firmware under GPL2, same as QMK firmware. Cherry_MX_SK6812_BS.kicad_mod is from https://draconix.demuddi.de/2019/12/02/kicad-cherrymx-digital-rgb-footprint/