DIY Macropad Features Interchangeable Key Cap Tiles
Want an easy way to label the key caps on your custom macropad?
We love macropads, because they can do a lot to improve the efficiency of certain workflows and increase overall productivity. Even a second or two of saved time adds up to a substantial savings when you perform the action frequently. But DIY macropads have one big weakness and that is key cap labeling. Unless the key’s function happens to match a standard key cap of the same size, you have to use blank keys or figure out some way to make custom labels. Michael Garda developed one interesting way to do that, as shown on this DIY macropad with interchangeable key cap tiles.
There are a few methods that macropad builders typically use to label their key caps. The first, which is extremely expensive, is to have custom key caps manufactured. The second is to use stencils or printing to apply labels to blank key caps, but those tend to wear off quickly. The third is turning to relegendable key caps, which have clear covers under which the user can place printed graphics. Unfortunately, those don’t look great and they only come in standardized profiles and sizes.
Gardi’s solution was to replace standard key caps with custom 3D-printed versions that have a pocket cavity on top. The user can drop 3D-printed tiles into those pockets, relabeling the keys whenever they want. This is particularly useful for people that remap their key layout often, because they can swap out the tiles in just a few seconds.
The demonstration macropad built to showcase this concept was built with an Arduino Pro Micro. Gardi illustrated how their tile key caps work with different switches and even Hall effect sensors. Users can print the key caps at different sizes, with support for stabilizers, and so on.
But while this is certainly functional, it isn’t perfect. The quality will, of course, depend on the user’s 3D printer. However, even at a very high quality these key caps are bulky. That makes them unsuitable for low-profile macropads. Even so, this concept has a lot of potential and we could see it gaining traction as the community refines the design.