Close

Assemble The Base

A project log for MacroPad With Tile Holder Buttons PCB Edition

Not quite done with my tile based MacroPads. I'm making one more version to tighten up the design and make reproduction easier.

michael-gardiMichael Gardi 11/17/2023 at 01:130 Comments

Compared to the dead bug wiring of the previous version, putting together this new MacroPad couldn't be easier. 

  1. First soldered in a 24 pin socket and install the CD4067BE 16-Channel Analog Multiplexer.
  2. Insert the pro Micro so that the legs of the header protrude from the bottom of the PCB about 1 mm.  Solder the pro Micro in place.
  3. Solder in the 4 pin 90 degree male headers as depicted below. (Note: my original plan was to have the 90 degree headers mounted the other way so they would be on the inside of the base. I changed my mind because I thought it would be too hard to plug in the wire plugs from the tile holders. Also I think there needed to be more "slack" between the tile holder an the PCB to allow the buttons to move freely. As a consequence the header now extends a few mm below the bottom of the base. For this version I will simply add some rubber feet to the base. I have increased the depth of the base on the 3D model so this will not be a problem for subsequent builds.)

With the eight Fubata MD-4PCS switches inserted, carefully slide the PCB over the switch pins. Be patient and careful as it's a little tricky getting all of the pins to line up.

At this point I did not solder the switch pins in place because I was not sure how hard it will be to plug in the wire harnesses from the tile holders later on.  

NOTE: When you do solder the buttons to the PCB, make sure that the buttons are inserted flush with the base or else the switch could end up tilting a bit which causes them to scrape against the slots in the top of the base and possibly stick. Don't ask me how I know.

Preparing the tile holders and adding the wire plugs is my next task.

Discussions