ByteBoard
Hardware
By
@JishnuDutta
- 2 Devlogs
- 20 Total hours
This a 3*3 macropad that I built to learn CAD, PCB designing, and more about keyboards.
8h 3m 53s logged
Day 6 — 26.06.2026: Designing the Top Case
Today I completed the design of the top case. I added all the required cutouts, including the Cherry MX switch openings, OLED display window, rotary encoder hole, USB Type-C opening, and the mounting holes. Most of the time was spent adjusting dimensions and fixing clearances, especially around the USB-C port, to make sure everything fit properly.
Note: The Lapse website was offline for most of the day, so although I worked for around 3 hours, only about 30 minutes of the session was recorded.
Time spent: 3 hrs
Lapse: Day 6
Day 7 — 27.06.2026: Heat-Set Inserts & Final Touches
Today I redesigned the mounting system to use M3 × 5 × 4 mm heat-set inserts. I updated all the standoffs, added chamfers to make installing the inserts easier, created counterbores for the screws, and rounded the outer corners of the enclosure to give the case a cleaner and more polished appearance.
Time spent: 2 hrs
Lapse: Day 7
Day 8 — 28.06.2026: Finalizing the Project & Shipping
Today I finished the enclosure by adding the final colours, refining the rounded corners, and making the last design adjustments. After completing the CAD work, I started learning CircuitPython and wrote a temporary firmware so the macropad would be functional for the initial build. With everything ready, I completed the documentation and submitted the project for shipping.
Time spent: 4.5 hrs
Lapse: Day 8
Full Development Journal
These updates cover only the final stages of the project. The complete development journal, including the PCB design, CAD iterations, troubleshooting, firmware progress, and the entire build process from the beginning, can be found here:
📖 Full Journal: https://github.com/J1234D/ByteBoard/blob/main/JOURNAL.md
12h 16m 18s logged
🎛️ ByteBoard — RGB Macropad
Day 0 — 19.06.2026
I started ByteBoard after seeing my friend Sunrit Hazra build a macropad through Hack Club Blueprint. The project inspired me to design one completely from scratch while learning PCB design, electronics, firmware, and CAD along the way.
I began by studying the fundamentals of schematic design and PCB layout, creating a simple practice PCB before moving on to the real project.
Time spent: 3 hours
Day 1 — 20.06.2026
After that, I designed the complete schematic for the macropad, including a 3×3 key matrix powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040, a rotary encoder, and a 0.91” OLED display.
Time spent: 5 hours
Day 2 — 21.06.2026
Once the schematic was complete, I designed the PCB, added SK6812 MINI-E RGB LEDs around each switch for underglow, placed the mounting holes, and routed the entire board. After several iterations and design rule checks, the PCB was successfully completed and exported.
Time spent: 8 hours
Day 3 — 22.06.2026
With the electronics finished, I started learning Autodesk Fusion to design the enclosure. After practicing with a small bracket model, I began creating the case for ByteBoard.
Time spent: 2 hours
Day 4 — 23.06.2026
I designed the bottom plate, added standoffs and walls, and fixed multiple clearance issues around the USB Type-C connector to ensure the board would fit and remain fully usable inside the enclosure.
Time spent: 7 hours
Day 5 — 25.06.2026
I continued refining the case design and resolving fitment issues to improve usability and structure.
Time spent: 3 hours
So far, I’ve spent over 28 hours on the project, learning both PCB design and mechanical CAD while documenting my progress through Hack Club Lapse timelapses. The next steps are to finish the enclosure, manufacture the PCB, solder all components, write the firmware, and assemble the final macropad.
Timelapses
