3x3 macropad v.1(WIP)

The 3x3 macropad

Please note that this is still a work in progress, and changes to the design might occur, I haven't printed this case yet to verify the dimensions.

The bottom case will receibe changes in the upcoming revision, as test-print revealed that the back of the case interfered with the MCU

This project was inspired by TinyBoats Macro pad case* but was modified to ensure a tight fit for mx-style switches.

Features of this macropad:

• USB-cutout for a Raspberry Pi Pico
• Melt-posts for a Raspberry Pi Pico
• Integrated support for the USB-cutout (see image below)
• Up to 16 layers are supported, depending on the code being used
  • 16 layers x 9 buttons, equals 144 buttons

This thing is basically an onion

Catching the reference? ;)

This macropad theoretically supports up to 16 layers, and is indicated by the 4 LEDs.
Basic math states that each LED have 2 states, on or off, and we have 4 of them, giving us 2^4.

And here is the logic-table for the LEDs and layers:

| A | B | C | D | Layer |
|---|---|---|---|-------|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |   1   |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |   2   |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |   3   |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |   4   |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |   5   |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |   6   |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |   7   |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |   8   |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |   9   |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |  10   |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |  11   |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |  12   |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |  13   |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |  14   |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |  15   |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |  16   |

Given the order of the LEDs as the following image shows

Supportless, almost

When printing the bottom-case, I have integrated supports for the USB-cutout that are 0.5mm thick, to prevent drooping of material.

This can easily be snipped of using side-cutters.

Dimensions

The dimension are all in mm (w*h*d)

Top-case: 75*12*100

Bottom-case: 75*10-17*100

Angled at 4 degrees

USB-cutout: 13*5*3.5

Distance between center of switches: 20mm

BOM (Bill of material)

10 pcs mx-style switches

10 keycaps of your choice

4 pcs 5mm LED

1 pc Raspberry Pi Pico

1 fistfull of random cables that you've laying around

Future revisions

Future revisions and updates will be placed in folders under the version, each revision will be following semantic versioning, i.e v.1.x.y.

Each revision will have a changelog attached under files.
For the initial release, there is no changelog available under files other than the description and remix-changes provided.

Future updates / To Do:

• Implement the code needed for the MCU
• Expansion-port?

• Replaced the original switch-inserts with proper mx-style fittings
• Changed height-dimensions
• Added melt-posts for securing a raspberry pi pico
• Added cutout for USB-port of above mentioned MCU
• Added integrated support for USB-cutout
• Removed melt-posts and cutout for rotary encoder, might add it back in the future