kicad project files or equivalent to adjust for MX spacing

[suriaribeiro]

I really like this PCB but unfortunately due to my large hands I can only handle MX spaced keys. Do you happen to have a version with choc switches that is MX spaced? Alternatively if you don't mind sharing the Kicad project files I can give a go at spacing out the switches.

Thanks!

[JonMuller]

Hi there!

Great question!! I think at one point I did do an MX spaced version. Let me look around when I have time tonight. There's a reasonable chance that the MX version had some routing issues though. Not that they couldn't be easily fixed, I just can't remember if I did fix that. I think I had the controllers oriented in a different way too. I'll look. If I don't respond fast enough (it's not intentional, trust me!!) it would probably be easier for you to just grab the standard corne kicad files and remove anything related to the regular controller and add in the XIAO. I think my footprint is semi custom though. I have to figure out how to put that on here somewhere. I have a couple of different versions. I used one not too long ago that requires surface mount but drops out all the jumpers needed for making a reversible PCB.

Alternatively, the Tenax project is MX spaced. It's not that different really, just uses some splay and a slightly more aggressive stagger. It's a little more expensive to have made though because it's not reversible, so the overall PCB is bigger, but you do get a full board with each, so the minimum will still net you 5 total boards.

[suriaribeiro]

Hi there!

Thanks for the quick reply. Your Tenax keyboard is also great, specially the splay. However, I am keen to build a keyboard with a 6th collumn and your corne keyboard is perfect for that. In any case, if you don't have an mx ready version but are happy to share the editable files I could give it a go in kicad.

[JonMuller]

I don't know why I always forget that not everyone wants the 5 column version. That reminded me that the problem with the MX version was that when you snapped off the outer column, it created an island on the ground plane, so I had to bodge some stuff. Not an issue if you leave the last column on. But I may have fixed it.

You're not by any chance in the United States, are you?

[JonMuller]

Ok, I found the actual physical boards. I realize there's another possible issue with them... I designed them to have integrated displays, so you'd have to find yourself some bare displays (aliexpress has always been hit or miss for me) that work. The issue with the ground plane mostly impacted the displays. If you don't care about displays (and I'm only talking about the super low powered ones, like the ones used in a Nice!View) then it's even less of a concern. I also don't know that I have a great case file to share.

Just some extra info for you.

[suriaribeiro]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for getting back to me. I am based in Germany. Whilist a display would be nice, it is certainly no strictly needed. With all that said, I was thinking about potentially adding a splay on the last 2 collumns, therefore a way to eventually edit the files would be great.

[suriaribeiro]

Hi Jon, this is the board layout I was hoping to build. I really like how you went about creating the bridges to make the board reversible and would love to re-use your schematic. If for whatever reason you do no wish to share the editable files perhaps I can commission you to create gerber files using this layout? airus_kbd.dxf.zip

looking forward to your reply

[JonMuller]

Hi suriaribeiro, I'm not against sharing editable files, the problem here is me and the way I went about things. I don't know that I have them in an easily shareable format. The problem is the way I went about my libraries. I believe if I shared the files as is, the libraries would get lost and then as soon as you edit them, you would be left in the position of either having to build certain footprints from scratch or they may completely disappear all together. I really need to learn how to do this better.

Let me just make sure I understand what you're after though.

1. MX Space/switch compatibility
2. Layout matching the file you shared above
3. Reversible PCB
4. XIAO BLE compatibility?

Outside of that, what else are you expecting? Hotswap for switches? Display options? What type of battery connector? Power switches?

Anything else I'm missing?

Also, if you were to have the PCBs made, would you want any assembly done at the manufacturer? I have often let them handle the diodes. Makes it easier to use smaller SMD diodes since I don't have to worry about soldering them. But I usually have an optional through hole mount in case a diode gets knocked off or just needs to be replaced. Much easier to do that by hand.

As far as reversible PCBs go, I have 2 designs that I've done. The one with all the jumpers and one where I don't use through holes on the controllers, so they must be surface mounted. That can be seen here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1456utk/little_more_xiao_ble_trouble/ There are pros and cons to each way. One does require a lot less soldering though.

[suriaribeiro]

Hi Jon, thanks for your message. The board for which you send the link is a beauty and is exactly what I had in mind in terms of controller mounting. I did some last fine tuning on the layout after a lot of trialling over the weekend and I think I am actually okay with choc V1. What I often struggle with is the space between columns. To that end, I worked on a layout over the weekend that feels like an endgame keyboard for larger hands. I created this in ergogen (raw file attached) setting very specific spacing values for each key.

So, in summary:

1. MX Space/switch compatibility - not necessary. Choc is better following the attached layout
2. Layout matching the file you shared above - correct, last version attached
3. Reversible PCB - yes
4. XIAO BLE compatibility? - yes

Outside of that, what else are you expecting? Hotswap for switches? - yes hotswap would be great Display options? - not strictly necessary, but it would also be nice. Your keyboard inspired me to desire one :) What type of battery connector? - whichever one you recommend. Definitely would appreciate a connection to the pcb rather than the controller.l Power switches? - yes, absolutely. Thanks again for getting back to me!

Best, Suria

On Mon, 16 Oct 2023 at 17:15, OrangeCrusader @.***> wrote:

Hi suriaribeiro, I'm not against sharing editable files, the problem here is me and the way I went about things. I don't know that I have them in an easily shareable format. The problem is the way I went about my libraries. I believe if I shared the files as is, the libraries would get lost and then as soon as you edit them, you would be left in the position of either having to build certain footprints from scratch or they may completely disappear all together. I really need to learn how to do this better.

Let me just make sure I understand what you're after though.

1. MX Space/switch compatibility
2. Layout matching the file you shared above
3. Reversible PCB
4. XIAO BLE compatibility?

Outside of that, what else are you expecting? Hotswap for switches? Display options? What type of battery connector? Power switches?

Anything else I'm missing?

Also, if you were to have the PCBs made, would you want any assembly done at the manufacturer? I have often let them handle the diodes. Makes it easier to use smaller SMD diodes since I don't have to worry about soldering them. But I usually have an optional through hole mount in case a diode gets knocked off or just needs to be replaced. Much easier to do that by hand.

As far as reversible PCBs go, I have 2 designs that I've done. The one with all the jumpers and one where I don't use through holes on the controllers, so they must be surface mounted. That can be seen here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1456utk/little_more_xiao_ble_trouble/ There are pros and cons to each way. One does require a lot less soldering though.

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[suriaribeiro]

Hi Jon, someone created an mx version. Will close the issue making reference to this alternative design. https://github.com/friction07/corne-xiao/tree/main/rev1