HandiNAVI

I’ve been working on making the PCB layout and enclosure match the appearance I wanted for HandiNAVI.

I started laying out the screen and buttons in FreeCAD (I know the hackpad guide recommends Fusion360, but I recently switched to Linux and I don’t think it’s available on my system; it’s a pain to use anyway), using constrained sketches to set their sizes and positions. Midway through I realised I didn’t like where I’d placed the switches, so I had to go back and edit the PCB. I moved the switches higher in KiCad, bringing the buttons closer to the screen. I also had to reposition the LCD because the “F.Courtyard” layer was overlapping with one of the switches.

Moving the components meant repairing the routing. I reconnected SW1–SW4, adjusted the LCD signal and power tracks, and refilled the ground zones. The updated DRC report showed no unconnected pads, with one remaining silkscreen warning that I addressed by moving the SW3 label. I then exported the updated STEP model and resumed work in FreeCAD.

I also imported the Waveshare 1.8-inch LCD model and positioned it above the PCB. Using its actual geometry helped me size and align the screen opening.

The case now has a 2 mm front plate, four button openings, 2 mm sidewalls, and a USB opening aligned with the XIAO’s connector. I made a separate back cover with four PCB support posts and pilot holes, then added posts to the front shell and matching clearance holes through the back cover so the two halves can be screwed together.

The current CAD check found valid case solids, aligned mounting holes, and no intersections between the case and the imported electronics. The assembled enclosure is currently 71 × 106 × 22 mm.

Now I think my next objective is probably to add the LCD mounting posts, and round the case/make it prettier. I should probably double check this with someone else but I’ll get around to it (maybe :p)

I’ve been designing a HandiNAVI-inspired USB macropad, with a colour LCD, four buttons, and a red case with custom black button caps. It’s inspired by various screenshots I found while googling for inspo, it has been built before by other people (some functioning, some as a prop). The design that caught my eye was this 3D model.

So far, I’ve set up the project folders and built the schematic in KiCad, using a Seeed XIAO RP2040, four tactile switches, and an eight-pin connector for the planned ST7735S display. I assigned the button and display signals, connected power and ground, and resolved the electrical-rule checks. I haven’t done many hardware projects before, and I figure that what I’m making doesn’t differ too much in functionality as a macropad. So I’m kinda following the hackpad guide, hence the use of the RP2040.

For the PCB, I created a 65 × 100 mm outline, added four mounting holes, and positioned the components alongside reference outlines for the display and button caps. I routed the connections across both copper layers and added ground planes. After fixing unconnected switch pads and silkscreen issues, the DRC report showed zero violations, unconnected pads, or footprint errors under the enabled checks.

I’ve exported the PCB as a STEP file and imported it into FreeCAD, which is the current stage I’m at.