#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD HOW TO#
#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD FULL#
#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD PRO#

Make sure that there are little to none plastic bits inside of the casing from this, as you don't want the switch to get stuck. Another optional step is to file it down, to make it nicer, and less jagged. After that, widen the hole a bit, by slowly cutting off both sides with the pre-molded supports. Then proceed to cut up to the cylindrical center of the switch that holds the spring. Slowly cut down on that tab inside to get down to the bottom. Then cut a bit of the original LED pass through, (the part with the 4 holes, those are for the legs of the LEDs). Cut the tab that holds the switch on the plate first. Start to cut small little pieces out of the bottom of the case to allow more light to pass. There usually is four parts, the top and bottom of the casing, the spring, and the stem (sliding part of the switch that holds the keycap). After that, finish up and pop off the top of the switch. Proceed to push the tabs of the other side, so no tabs should still be holding the top on. Then put something in between the top and bottom so it doesn't close. Take 2 small wedges (I used 2 flathead screwdriver bits) and push under the tabs on the side of the switch. If you have chosen keycaps that don't support RGB, skip this step. We are doing this to allow the light to shine through better to reach our keycaps. Start to disassemble the switches that you bought.

I've personally never used an online service, but you could use those too (something like this).

Try with local libraries or schools around you and see if they have a 3D printer.

You can buy other micro controllers, but make sure that they are both Arduino and HID (human input device) compatible.

I bought these from Amazon for the best deal.

#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD PRO#

An HID compatible micro controller (I used a Pro Micro).You could also buy 3mm regular LEDs of your favorite colour to use, but you'd need resistors.

Make sure that the LEDs are WS2812B LEDs, they can accept a lower voltage.I bought something similar to these from Amazon.Addressable RGB LED strips (Optional, but highly recommended).

#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD FULL#

Vendors can be found here under the 'Novelty Keys (standard manufacturing)' section, unless you want a full Keycap set.

Also make sure that they are back light compatible so you can change the colour.

Make sure that they are compatible with your switch that you choose!.

I also highly recommend doing some research here on what switch you would like here under the 'Feels' section.

Other places to buy can be found here under your favorite switch section.

I choose the Gateron switches with clear tops from here (Clear tops make the next step easier, most common types of switches are covered there too).

The parts that you are going to need are: The longest step is right here, buying the parts and waiting for them to ship. I also tried to make the Instructable in a logical order, but I don't build logically, so it might be better to skip around in the order of the steps depending on how you build. This module's inspiration was from arrow keys on a keyboard, being able to fit it in your pocket, and taking it anywhere if you needed a few extra buttons on the go.ĭue to how this keypad was made, I highly recommend that you read all of the Instructable before you make any purchasing decisions. I also wanted to have a unique modular keyboard, where I could grab any parts that I needed, this is the first of many other parts. So I decided to do it myself, in the simplest way possible, without diodes, resistors, or anything else.

#PROGRAMMABLE MACRO KEYPAD HOW TO#

I will be taking you through what you need, how to assemble it, how to program it, and how to improve it or make it your own.Īfter much research, I couldn't really find a great guide on how to make a macro keypad, or a hand wired keyboard in general. In this Instructable I will be taking you through the basics of creating your own 6 keyed macropad, controlled by an Arduino.

Programmable macro keypad