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Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

By @kaziofmeridian

  • 5 Devlogs
  • 9 Total hours

I am building a 3x3 Hackpad with 2 switches. I want to use it for basic controls like copy and pasting, controlling volume etc, and I may reprogram it in the future to become a gaming controller.
Ship #1 Pending review

@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

# KaziPad

## What is it?

The KaziPad is a 9-key, 3x3 macropad with an OLED screen and a rotary encoder.

## Features:

- The buttons are mapped to keyboard shortcuts in 2 separate layers using KMK firmware.
- The layers are toggled by pressing the rotary encoder, and twisting the rotary encoder adjusts the volume.
- The OLED screen displays which layer is toggled

## Challenges:

I had challenges every step of the way since this is the first project I've ever developed myself.

One big challenge I had was with wiring and setting up my PCB. Since it was my first time, I had no idea how the wiring worked, and was very confused by the tangle of webs. Overtime, I began to get over the learning curve and understood how to connect the correct things to each other. I created 4 different versions of my PCB as I wanted to make it as good as possible despite my lack of experience.

Another huge challenge was dealing with the firmware. I started out attempting to use KMK firmware, but I couldn't understand the docs at first. I then attempted to switch over to QMK, and after a long time of not being able to create my own layout, I switched back to KMK. I spent a long time reading and understanding the docs, and now I am at a point where I understand it!

## Other Info:

This project was created as a part of the Hackpad mission which means after shipping, I hope to receive the parts to make it in real life! Since I do not have the parts yet, the demo provided is a video preview of the assembled hackpad.

For more details on anything, feel free to comment, or message me on slack, @kaziofmeridian.

Try project → See source code →
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@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

18m 6s logged

—Devlog 5 - Hackpad —

My hackpad is officially done! I am naming it The KaziPad. I have just updated the repository, but below is a little sneak peak of its features. I believe it is ready to ship!

  • 3x3 Matrix of keys
  • OLED display that tells you which layer you are on
  • 1 Rotary Encoder to control the volume + toggles keyboard layer
  • KMK firmware
@kaziofmeridian

—Devlog 5 - Hackpad —

My hackpad is officially done! I am naming it The KaziPad. I have just updated the repository, but below is a little sneak peak of its features. I believe it is ready to ship!

  • 3x3 Matrix of keys
  • OLED display that tells you which layer you are on
  • 1 Rotary Encoder to control the volume + toggles keyboard layer
  • KMK firmware

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@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

2h 3m 2s logged

—Devlog 4 - Hackpad—

What I did:
I successfully added screw holes into my case with no issues! Then, I attempted to make my firmware with QMK, but I had a lot of trouble configuring the layout, and I switched over to KMK. Below is some of my code.
Current Functions Of Firmware:
-There are two separate layers on my keyboard, one is a numpad, the other has letters (Both act as placeholders).
-The rotary encoder functions as a volume knob, and the button toggles between the 2 separate layers.

What’s Next?
-I need to finalize my firmware
-I should create my repository and gather all requirements
-And I am very excited because my project is almost ready to ship, thanks for listening!

@kaziofmeridian

—Devlog 4 - Hackpad—

What I did:
I successfully added screw holes into my case with no issues! Then, I attempted to make my firmware with QMK, but I had a lot of trouble configuring the layout, and I switched over to KMK. Below is some of my code.
Current Functions Of Firmware:
-There are two separate layers on my keyboard, one is a numpad, the other has letters (Both act as placeholders).
-The rotary encoder functions as a volume knob, and the button toggles between the 2 separate layers.

What’s Next?
-I need to finalize my firmware
-I should create my repository and gather all requirements
-And I am very excited because my project is almost ready to ship, thanks for listening!

Replying to @kaziofmeridian
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32
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@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

2h 32m 55s logged

—Devlog 3 -hackpadd—

I created a case for my PCB with fusion, and I found out how to add the 3d models of my components onto the PCB. This is V4 of my PCB because I didn’t like the arrangement of my last one, and I made it a lot smaller.

Next, I have to make my screw holes and make the firmwareeee. I will update you guys on how that goes soon!

@kaziofmeridian

—Devlog 3 -hackpadd—

I created a case for my PCB with fusion, and I found out how to add the 3d models of my components onto the PCB. This is V4 of my PCB because I didn’t like the arrangement of my last one, and I made it a lot smaller.

Next, I have to make my screw holes and make the firmwareeee. I will update you guys on how that goes soon!

Replying to @kaziofmeridian
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@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

2h 41m 48s logged

— Hackpad - Devlog 2 —

I finally finished my first PCB design! The wiring isn’t pretty, but I’m just proud I finished it. I had to restart like 3 times.

@kaziofmeridian

— Hackpad - Devlog 2 —

I finally finished my first PCB design! The wiring isn’t pretty, but I’m just proud I finished it. I had to restart like 3 times.

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@kaziofmeridian on Kazi's Hackpad (3x3)

1h 39m 2s logged

Hackpad - My First Project Ever

Devlog 1

My hackpad is going to include a 9 keys arranged in a 3x3 matrix, one rotary encoder, and an OLED screen.

Since my project utilizes 9 keys, I needed to create a matrix to properly organize all of the inputs. Making the matrix took the longest time, because I had to learn how to stop it from becoming one big web.

Through making my matrix, I learned how to use net labels in order to better organize my wires which was a great help with everything else.

Finally, I roughly arranged all of the components in the PCB editor, and will start making my tracks soon.

This is also my first time logging hours, so a lot of my time spent was not actually accounted for. My real amount of hours spent was ~4.

@kaziofmeridian

Hackpad - My First Project Ever

Devlog 1

My hackpad is going to include a 9 keys arranged in a 3x3 matrix, one rotary encoder, and an OLED screen.

Since my project utilizes 9 keys, I needed to create a matrix to properly organize all of the inputs. Making the matrix took the longest time, because I had to learn how to stop it from becoming one big web.

Through making my matrix, I learned how to use net labels in order to better organize my wires which was a great help with everything else.

Finally, I roughly arranged all of the components in the PCB editor, and will start making my tracks soon.

This is also my first time logging hours, so a lot of my time spent was not actually accounted for. My real amount of hours spent was ~4.

Replying to @kaziofmeridian
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