I received the request to build a very specific and custom keyboard: Based on the esp32s3 ProS3 controller a keyboard should be built which can provide I2C via adafruit’s STEMMA QT. This standardised I2C interface combined with special STEMMA QT connectors provide very interesting use cases for the planned keyboard.
The controller itself provides many interesting features:
As a PCB I started with the plain60 flex edition and customised it to fit the controller and provide underglow. This was my first PCB project and it more or less worked out pretty well. ScatteredDrifter helped my with some hints and reviews of the PCB out.
One challenge was to find the correct fitting connector to provide a path to STEMMA QT. Thankfully adafruit is offering a 4pin JST connector cable to STEMMA QT. They sell it as special JST connector but in the end they are standardised. With that knowledge, I tried to find a fitting header and by best guessing, I picked one from lcsc.
I only built in one issue:
- connected I2C to 5v but it needed be 3.3v – fixed it with a wire
Everything else worked great.
The PCB was ordered at JLCPCB fully assembled with JST header, RGB LEDs and diodes.
For the case Technofrikus jumped in and added to the stucco a higher tipping angle to have enough space for the controller and also added a cutout + lid for the 4pin JST-PH header. Also he printed a half plate for the project. The bottom was printed with a translucent material to provide the possibility for underglow.
The keyboard itself runs CircuitPython with KMK. This provides great flexibility in using I2C sensors.
keyboard build facts
- Gateron Oil King switches – lubed with Tribosys 3204
- Staebis stabs – lubed with Krytox 205 and a bit BDZ
- GMK Storm
- custom stucco case by Technofrikus (gasket mounted)
- half plate 3d printed
- custom PCB based on plain60 flex – added tape mod
- case filled with polyfill
images
personal impression
I really liked this project and learned a lot! That the keyboard worked out of the box impressed me a bit. Also, next to the special features thanks to the pros3 controller, the keyboard itself is very nice. The gasket mount and flex cuts of the PCB add a great experience. The sound is also very clean with the Oil Kings, 3d printed case, polyfill and GMK caps.
So triggered by that: What will come next?