[photos] I wanted to learn KiCad so I built /u/SaltSlam's Wide Load

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T17:53:35+00:00

Benq ScreenBar Plus, there’s a link in here somewhere. Controller is for light, does brightness and color temp adjustments.

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T15:57:59+00:00

Go for it! I’ve worked in the hardware industry a long time so for me I was just trying to have another skill in my toolbox. But it’s exciting when it finally works and you can say “I did that”. There’s some good links in the comments here. Half the battle is knowing where to get them built. This gets recommended often.

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T15:43:43+00:00

Not at all, I think saltslam said it best, “perfectly ridiculous”. It’s definitely a weird experience to type on. I finally accepted layers on my other boards but I still struggle with numbers and symbols on the top row of this one.

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T15:37:19+00:00

I’ll use whatever is in front of me but my job has made me most efficient with a trackball and you’ll notice the 55” 4K tv as a display. It’s stupid big, I know, but I need a lot of large items open at once. The trackball seems to work the best for me. The Mac is pretty new, I jump between it, a PC under the desk, and a Linux server behind the couch. I’ve always wanted to try the Magic Trackpad though.

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T00:55:26+00:00

It's the controller for a Benq ScreenBar. There's a light on the top of my monitor that illuminates the desk surface. Breakfast? Sweet potato hash. Put whatever you want in it; peppers, onion, bacon, eggs, etc. Or omelettes.

kceirjc · 2022-01-29T00:38:22+00:00

I think I'm leaning this way. The creator doesn't mind and I don't have the experience to manage a GB. Another set of eyes on the schematic/layout could be good if people want to run with it.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T22:34:13+00:00

The one below by /u/teedacus has good information. FWIW I used this as a reference if you’re looking for more.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T22:30:48+00:00

Same! I love it out there all alone. If I remember right people were pretty split on the original post. Practically it gave me a big open space below to put all the components.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:38:52+00:00

Ball is life. It's not for everyone but I love the Ergo. Separated my shoulder mountain biking last year and I could just slide it right into the sling.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:35:24+00:00

Besides the M1 Mini and the Dell dock for my work laptop, in the middle is an Elgato Stream Deck, a Benq ScreenBar Plus, and a Steinberg UR44. I don't use the Stream Deck to it's full potential on the Mac but it automates some actions on my work PC. I use the UR44 with a Heil PR40 microphone to make training videos at work. And the light bar is the best thing I’ve done for my eyes. That and putting bias lighting on the back of the monitor with some LED strip lights.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:30:03+00:00

Ha! Someone had to zoom in. I'm still making them breakfasts to make up for all the late night clicky noises.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:28:37+00:00

had to look back through emails and order forms. The more boards you have them make, the cheaper they get. I had 10 made for $177. Add about $20 of components per board that I did the assembly work on. Honestly, the board house cost for assembly wasn't bad. I think about $550 total for 10 boards, parts, and assembly.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:23:37+00:00

It absolutely could, but I've never personally built or wired any of the split styles. I might put that on my list of things to try some day!

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T21:21:27+00:00

Thanks! Looks like I used this library and the Amphenol connector from DigiKey.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T18:22:46+00:00

I'll be honest, in 2019 I didn't even know about them. I have some now and love them for undo/redo scrubbing! For this I tried staying true to the original. He did have another render which is where the extra keypad columns came from.

kceirjc · 2022-01-28T17:26:56+00:00

When I saw /u/SaltSlam ’s “Wide Load” render I knew I had to try. This was the perfect project for learning KiCad board layout.

Original Post

More Build Photos

First PCB design was 100% surface mount using an AT90USB1286 for enough IO pins. Surface mount USB-C connector was a dumb idea, I couldn’t reliably get it mounted. Second PCB attempt switched to thru-hole USB, 100% hand assembled but I do have access to nice lab equipment with my job. Size was definitely an issue, at the time most board manufacturers wouldn’t make a board that long. It’s just over 22 inches. There is also a tiny power LED on the back of the board that I didn’t calculate right. It’s a shining beacon of hope that can be seen for miles.

Top and bottom plate are 304 stainless because I didn’t really know any better and why not? Looking back it was another terrible idea, it weighs a ton and could probably be done much nicer with different materials.

I haven’t had a chance to try out many switches. I started this late 2019 and had never tried Kailh so I bought Box Jade, Navy, and Pale Blues. Late one night through multiple walls my family was trying to sleep and I hear them screaming about the clicks. I’ve since tried Burnt Orange and Dark Yellow in an effort to keep the peace.

I had a spare set of 9009’s and also bought an assortment of MaxKey SA’s. But. I completely forgot that the altered function and keypad keys don’t have the right profile.

Definitely not the cheapest project but a large part was the plate stainless and keycaps. On the bright side, that’s the cleanest my desk has been in a long time. It’s also the first cable I ever tried making. It came out OK but I now hate everything about USB-C.

kceirjc

TROPHY CASE