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On the Other Side of the World

A project log for the Porta-C.A.T.

The Portable Computer Assist Tool

mrpendentmrpendent 05/04/2023 at 03:370 Comments

The project is much slower than the Grimoire, but still handy. Likely I'll be able to work on this more while waiting for the PCB s  for the other project.

Right now, here is where we are at:

Not all cats are grey

These keyswitches are an off-brand, low-profile type. Unfortunately, they are too close for normal keycaps, so I'll probably have to print some. And with those enclosed posts, it won't be easy.  But one problem at a time.

On the close corner there, you can see a channel. My idea here is to wire the keys directly to the Pro Micro controller, then plug a USB-A to USB-C into the Pro Micro. The cable will snake through that channel and get folded into the compartment. Once this is pushed down into an Altoids tin, it should be (permanently) wedged down and keep everything in. Unfortunately, at the moment the switches are too tall to allow closing of the lid. I might be able to cut down on the insert to buy the room, but I don't think so. The printed keycaps will probably be too tall, and we need room under it for the controller.

I think we would be better served by focusing on keeping the cost down so that we don't have to worry so much about it getting damaged. I will probably also work on the insert to see if I can devise some release mechanism to it isn't stuck in the tin forever--a broken USB cable is a real issue.

Now that I think about it, there should probably be some way to tame the cable if there isn't going to be a lid.


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