M5 STACK ATOM S3
At the heart of HitPad is the M5Stack AtomS3, a compact yet powerful development board built around the ESP32-S3 microcontroller. The ESP32-S3 features a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor running at up to 240 MHz, with built-in support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, making it ideal for fast, responsive embedded applications.
Despite its tiny 24 × 24 mm footprint, the AtomS3 offers a rich set of features that make it perfect for compact DIY builds. It includes multiple GPIO pins, a programmable RGB LED, a USB-C port for power and programming, and a Grove connector for easy expansion. The board also supports low-power operation, which is useful for portable or battery-powered devices.
As for sourcing the M5STACK ATOM S3 we use in our project, we got it from PCBWAY's Giftshop.
DESIGN


To begin designing our handheld wearable device, we imported the 3D model of the M5Stack AtomS3 into Fusion360. Since a speaker model wasn’t available, we created one manually along with a custom switch PCB featuring four push buttons.
We then built a simple box-style enclosure around the display area. The lower portion houses the switch PCB, where we added four custom switch actuators labeled A, B, C, and D to match the quiz-style interface. To secure the switch PCB, we included two screw bosses with 1.8 mm holes, sized perfectly for M2 screws.
To join the front and rear halves of the enclosure, we added four M2.5 holes and planned to use M2.5 Torx screws for a clean, secure fit. The overall enclosure was sized to comfortably fit in a child’s hand, making it easy to hold and interact with.
We also added a circular mount on the back, designed to attach an ID card strap, allowing the device to be worn around the neck like a badge. For the final print, the buttons were done in orange PLA, while the main body was printed in white PLA using our Ender K10 Max with tree supports for clean overhangs.
CUSTOM SWITCH PCB



The circuit design for this project was fairly straightforward. The goal was to create a switch PCB featuring four 4×4 tactile push buttons. We began by adding the buttons to the schematic and connecting all four of their pins together, forming a common ground. To simplify wiring, we introduced a CON5 connector, where all button pin 1 terminals were linked along with the shared ground connection.
For the PCB layout, we used the enclosure’s CAD model to define the board outline. The push buttons were placed in their designated positions, and traces were routed from each switch to the CON5 port.
Once the pcb layout was complete, we added custom graphics to the silkscreen layer to enhance the visual appeal of the board and give it a more polished, finished look
PCBWAY SERVICE
Once the board design was finalized, I opted for a purple solder mask with white silkscreen and uploaded the Gerber files to PCBWay’s quote page for fabrication.
While I typically go with a white or black solder mask for most of my builds, this time I decided to try out PCBWay’s Purple option just for a change. The order was placed smoothly, and the PCBs arrived within a week.
The quality was excellent—clean finish, sharp silkscreen, and everything matched the design perfectly.
Over the past ten years, PCBWay has distinguished themselves by providing outstanding PCB manufacturing and assembly services, becoming a trusted partner for countless engineers and designers worldwide.
Also, PCBWay is organizing the PCBWay 8th Project Design Contest, a global event that invites makers, engineers, and innovators to showcase their most creative builds. With categories in Electronics, Mechanical, and AIoT, it’s a great opportunity to share your work, connect with the community, and compete for exciting prizes.
You guys can check out PCBWAY if you want great PCB service at an affordable rate.
Arnov Sharma





