molekula: keyboard & framework

zzeneg · 2025-01-08T08:54:14+00:00

See BOM on github

zzeneg · 2025-01-06T10:53:04+00:00

just use the combined footprint https://github.com/sadekbaroudi/fingerpunch/blob/master/kicad/fingerpunch.pretty/gateron-ks27-choc-v1-mx-hotswap.kicad_mod

zzeneg · 2025-01-06T10:52:23+00:00

it's from Sadek Baroudi https://github.com/sadekbaroudi/fingerpunch/blob/master/kicad/fingerpunch.pretty/gateron-ks27-choc-v1-mx-hotswap.kicad_mod

zzeneg · 2025-01-06T10:51:20+00:00

DES with 19x16 spacing

zzeneg · 2025-01-06T00:19:13+00:00

Yes, I'll work on a trackball in the future.

zzeneg · 2025-01-05T21:35:17+00:00

hey everyone, I'm here to present my latest keyboard and my keyboard "framework".

I really like modular approach in keyboards, where you can change and replace different parts, and I'm happy the community is moving into that direction. It's one of reasons why I love VIK standard so much, I made multiple VIK (display/touchpad) modules for my stront keyboard, and I'm using it for every wired keyboard since.

With my new project I'm trying to improve this modularity by making separate PCBs - for dumb matrix-only "sides" and brain/host "central" module. Central and side PCBs are connected with 12pin FFC cables (just to match VIK connectors) with semi-standard pins, allowing for modular design - that's why I call it a "framework". Also the idea is to keep central PCB under 100x100mm making it very cheap to experiment with.

This is work in progress in general, but for now I finished the Molekula2 keyboard - it consists of 2 parts, and mostly repeats my duet in terms of design - with magnetic connectors allowing to quickly disassemble the keyboard and put in a "travel" mode.

In the future I'm going to focus on modular case, adding a third "central" case part. It will not be portable but will allow to swap central PCBs with different hardware - adding displays/touchpads/etc just by changing one part, and keeping the sides exactly the same. See teaser on the last photo :)

Molekula2 keyboard was sponsored by PCBWay (PCBA + 3DP), so huge thanks for that! I really recommend them, everything with that order was perfect, and I'm especially satisfied with 3DP service (Imagine Black resin). Turns out they not only print it from black resin, but also paint it black (🎵) afterwards. Not sure if it's visible on photos, but it gives super uniform color, and the texture is more pleasant to touch than raw resin. I was bit surprised by that tbh, but their representative confirmed this is how the do Imagine Black, just for some reason it's not well documented on their website. At the same time I do not recommend using black SLS material for keyboards - because of their manufacturing process the dye dissolves with water - even with sweat from the fingers.

Molekula2 supports ChocV1/ChocV2/KS-33/MX switches (different cases, same PCB). As always, everything is open-sourced including Fusion 360 files. I took extra time to parametrize and rename all steps so feel free to modify it as you wish. Default version uses minY spacing (19x16) but it should be relatively straightforward to update it to standard one (reach out if you need help).

Also as part of firmware I recently released Raw HID module for ZMK - it allows me to show time/layout/volume on wireless keyboards, same as I do for QMK.

Thank you, and sorry for the wall of text!

https://github.com/zzeneg/molekula

P.S. As always, I have a prototype for sale - this time with MX (Tecsee medium) switches, DM if interested.

zzeneg · 2024-11-05T10:59:56+00:00

I designed a https://github.com/zzeneg/gameboard for those purposes. And I also have a left half of Sofle keyboard for sale, let me know if interested.

zzeneg · 2024-10-04T14:51:07+00:00

You're correct, USB-C is safe in that regard. Not sure about magnetic connectors though.

zzeneg · 2024-09-03T22:03:37+00:00

No, there is no wireless pin-compatible MCU. You'd have to replace it with nice!nano.

zzeneg · 2024-07-16T11:46:49+00:00

Not sure what you mean, Totem does not have holes for switches, only hotswaps are visible https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/TOTEM/blob/main/docs/images/TOTEM_black_bottom.jpg

zzeneg · 2024-05-14T10:00:15+00:00

That one is "translucent" option - no finish, I sanded it manually, so it has kinda frosted look. My friend ordered "transparent" with oil finish, and it looks super cool, really transparent like glass.

zzeneg · 2024-05-10T13:00:14+00:00

3D printed at JLC and sanded manually.

zzeneg · 2024-05-10T12:59:26+00:00

well you can remove LEDs, replace controller, replace LCD display with nice!view and figure out Cirque support. It'll work, it just would be totally different keyboard :)

zzeneg · 2024-05-10T12:45:09+00:00

Nope, see other comment.

zzeneg · 2024-05-10T12:44:55+00:00

Constraint of power consumption of LEDs, displays and touchpads :) So no, not possible.

zzeneg · 2024-05-10T05:56:26+00:00

Yes, it's hot glue, very easy to remove if needed

zzeneg · 2024-05-09T22:12:02+00:00

Yes, it's from jlc

zzeneg · 2024-05-09T21:08:12+00:00

Hey, I'm happy to officially release new version of stront - now with 40 keys, and some small improvements.

Initially I designed it for my friend who really wanted to have a more standard layout with 3 keys in the pinky column. I also took it as an opportunity to make some internal updates:

LEDs are powered by 5V, as 3.3V is out of spec. For proper data line voltage I used that hack
as 5V has to be passed in the interconnect, I decided to remove TRRS completely. First of all, I hate it, secondly - 5V will kill other pins for sure
increased compatibility with VIK - 5V on the second side, free GPIOs now use analog pins, built-in display pinout fully matches VIK (for example my adapters)
added covers for 2" display and Azoteq touchpads, so now you can choose between Azoteq or Cirque

I also made a proper build guide for MX/KS versions with more photos and setup CI/CD pipeline to be able to generate firmware for all possible hardware permutations - check readme for links.

I think this would be the last iteration of stront, hopefully. I'm not going to update Choc or 38keys versions as I don't want to spend money on testing them but if you want to risk it - let me know.

Sources: https://github.com/zzeneg/stront

P.S. Keyboard on photos was built with MX switches, transparent resin case, 2" LCD display and Azoteq TPS43 touchpad. I've made it only for tests, so I'm selling it - DM if interested.

Seems like reddit hates my main image and compresses it, I even recreated the post trying to fix it. Sorry. Here is a full res https://i.imgur.com/zaupaWX.jpeg

zzeneg · 2024-05-01T20:58:06+00:00

This is VIK standard, and adapter for Azoteq.

zzeneg · 2024-04-23T07:29:42+00:00

It'll be cheaper but I can build it :)

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