Build Instructions

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• 1

  Supplies

  You will need the following supplies to make its macrokey
  

  1. Custom PCB
  2. 3D Printed base (for mounting the PCB at a tilted angle)
  3. 4 M2 x 5 screws
  4. CH552G E8051 Arduino IDE programmable MCU
  5. Mode switch
  6. SMT button
  7. Mini USB port
  8. 7 x 0805 10k Ohm SMT resistors
  9. 2 x 0805 0.1uF SMT capacitor
  10. 3 x LEDs (Power, Mode A and Mode B)
  11. 4 x mechanical key switches
  12. 4 x key caps of your preference
  13. Soldering tools
  14. Steady hand
• 2

  Print the PCB and Mount

  The most important part of this project is the PCB. The macro-keypad is designed with a open PCB design, which means the PCB is directly exposed on top of the device, making it a bit scifi style to look at.

  As Instructable do not allow attaching zip file for gerber, I am putting it on Github where you can get it here.

  Gerber File: https://github.com/tobychui/4xMacropad/blob/main/pcb/macrokeypad%20v3.zip

  For the 3D Model file, you can edit it with Autodesk Inventor. They provide a free version for students where you can freely adjust the model based on your need.

• 3

  Solder the Components

  For starters, I recommend starting from the smallest to the largest components. You can solder starting from the CH552G, then the surrounding 0805 ICs then the other remaining DIP type parts. Follow the silk screen instruction and solder everything in its correct locations.

  There are also 3 optional RGB channel which they can be controlled by advance coding in the MCU. If you want to make some light pollution with those LEDs, you can also solder some extra 10k resistors and 0805 LEDs according to the silkscreen printing.

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