Published July 26, 2018 © CC BY-NC-SA

DIY RGB Cherry MX Macro Board

An 8-button mechanical switch macro keypad with RGB lighting!

IntermediateFull instructions provided1 hour4,118

Things used in this project

Hardware components

HCC Module

Cherry MX Switch

APA102-202 LED

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)

Story

1 / 2

This is a demo board to showcase the HCC Module, but its cool enough to be its own tutorial. I've done a macro board in the past, but I really wanted to do one with Cherry MX Mechanical switches. So here it is! The Modzilla.

Step 1: Watch the Video!

Step 2: Get the Parts!

There aren't that many for this build. Should be pretty easy!

Parts:

Modzilla PCB from PCBWay - PCBWAY PCB

HCC Module - Currently Kickstarter (Or make your own!)

8 x Cherry MX Switches - Digikey

8 x APA102-202 LEDs - 10 Pack on Digikey or Adafruit

2 x 1uF Capacitor - Digikey

1 x USB Connector - Digikey

5 x M1.91 Plastic Threading Screws

Tools/Materials:

Soldering Iron

Reflow oven

Solder Paste

Solder

Flux

3D Printer(If printing the Frame)

Screwdriver with appropriate head

Step 3: 3D Print the Frame

The frame is very simple, quick print. You could use spacers and screws if you want instead if you don't have a printer.

If you do, download the frame on Thingiverse here.

Step 4: Add Solder Paste for Surface Mount Components

I did this manually. Can be a bit tricky with the APA102 LEDs! One trick is to use a toothpick or small piece of wire to transfer the solder paste to small components.

Step 5: Add Components

Place the components one by one.

Step 6: Bake in the Oven

The HCC Module solders really easily!

Step 7: Test the Board!

Flashy lights!

Here is a demo program that works with the HCC Module to test the LEDs.

Find the "LED Test" code below.

Step 8: Add the Key Switches and Solder!

1 / 2

These only have two pins, and rely on the solder to hold them on. Again, its a simple design, but it works for this!

Step 9: Program Again!

I've attached the Arduino code, and in the video I explain what each part does, so you can setup your own Macros! Find the code "Macro Keypad Firmware" Below.

Step 10: Assemble!

I used plastic threading screws to mount the board to the 3D print.

Step 11: Done!

It works!

Step 12: Support These Projects!

1 / 3

This project uses the HCC Module, which is a project that I am currently Kickstarting! If you would like to support me and my projects, the Kickstarter is a great place to do so, and you can make stuff like this Macro Keyboard!

HCC Module Kickstarter!

If you enjoy these free open source projects, and can spare a few dollars a month, please consider joining my Patreon. Patrons help support future projects, so I can continue to bring more content to everyone!

Sean Hodgins on Patreon

If you want to keep up to date on my projects, subscribe to my YouTube! Watching and sharing my videos is another way to support what I do.

Subscribe to SeanHodgins

And finally, follow me on Twitter and Instagram, where you will find behind the scenes content for future projects. Its also an easy way to ask me questions.

@idlehandsdev on Twitter

@Idlehandsdev on Instagram

Schematics

Code

#include "Keyboard.h"

#include <Adafruit_DotStar.h>
#include <SPI.h>         // COMMENT OUT THIS LINE FOR GEMMA OR TRINKET

#define NUMPIXELS 8 // Number of LEDs in strip

//LED CONTROL PINS
#define DATAPIN    32
#define CLOCKPIN   33

int button[8] = {13, 12, 9, 5, 11, 10, 6, 4}; //Top row left is Button 1, Bottom row right is Button 2
int buttonState[8] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};

int bFlag = 9;

int LED[8] = {3, 2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7}; //Top row left is LED 1, Bottom row right is LED 8

//KEYBOARD BUTTONS, ADD MORE IF YOU LIKE
char ctrlKey = KEY_LEFT_CTRL;
char winKey = KEY_LEFT_GUI;
char shiftKey = KEY_LEFT_SHIFT;


Adafruit_DotStar strip = Adafruit_DotStar(
                           NUMPIXELS, DATAPIN, CLOCKPIN, DOTSTAR_BRG);


void setup() {


  strip.begin(); 
  strip.show();  // Turn all LEDs off ASAP

  for (int x = 0; x < 8; x++) {
    pinMode(button[x], INPUT_PULLUP);
    strip.setPixelColor(LED[x], strip.Color(75, 75, 75));

  }

}


void loop() {
     rainbowCycle(2);
}


void rainbowCycle(uint8_t wait) {
  uint16_t i, j;

  for(j=0; j<256*5; j++) { // 5 cycles of all colors on wheel
    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(((i * 256 / strip.numPixels()) + j) & 255));
    }
    strip.show();
    delay(wait);
  }
}

uint32_t Wheel(byte WheelPos) {
  WheelPos = 255 - WheelPos;
  if(WheelPos < 85) {
    return strip.Color(255 - WheelPos * 3, 0, WheelPos * 3);
  }
  if(WheelPos < 170) {
    WheelPos -= 85;
    return strip.Color(0, WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3);
  }
  WheelPos -= 170;
  return strip.Color(WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3, 0);
}

#include "Keyboard.h"

#include <Adafruit_DotStar.h>
#include <SPI.h>         // COMMENT OUT THIS LINE FOR GEMMA OR TRINKET

#define NUMPIXELS 8 // Number of LEDs in strip

//LED CONTROL PINS
#define DATAPIN    32
#define CLOCKPIN   33

int button[8] = {13, 12, 9, 5, 11, 10, 6, 4}; //Top row left is Button 1, Bottom row right is Button 2
int buttonState[8] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};

int bFlag = 9;

int LED[8] = {3, 2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7}; //Top row left is LED 1, Bottom row right is LED 8

//KEYBOARD BUTTONS, ADD MORE IF YOU LIKE
char ctrlKey = KEY_LEFT_CTRL;
char winKey = KEY_LEFT_GUI;
char shiftKey = KEY_LEFT_SHIFT;


Adafruit_DotStar strip = Adafruit_DotStar(
                           NUMPIXELS, DATAPIN, CLOCKPIN, DOTSTAR_BRG);


void setup() {


  strip.begin(); 
  strip.show();  // Turn all LEDs off ASAP

  for (int x = 0; x < 8; x++) {
    pinMode(button[x], INPUT_PULLUP);
    strip.setPixelColor(LED[x], strip.Color(75, 75, 75));

  }

  strip.show();
  
}


void loop() {
    for (int x = 0; x < 8; x++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[x], strip.Color(255, 255, 255));
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[0]) == LOW) {
      Keyboard.press(ctrlKey);
      Keyboard.press('c');
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[0], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
      delay(100);
      Keyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[1]) == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(ctrlKey);
      Keyboard.press('v');
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[1], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
      delay(100);
      Keyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[2]) == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(ctrlKey);
      Keyboard.press('z');
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[2], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
      delay(100);
      Keyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[3]) == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(ctrlKey);
      Keyboard.press('y');
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[3], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
      delay(100);
      Keyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[4]) == LOW) {
    Keyboard.press(winKey);
      Keyboard.press('m');
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[4], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
      delay(100);
      Keyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[5]) == LOW) {
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[5], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[6]) == LOW) {
      strip.setPixelColor(LED[6], strip.Color(0, 150, 0));
      strip.show();
    }
    if (digitalRead(button[7]) == LOW) {
    strip.setPixelColor(LED[7], strip.Color(0, 150, 0) );
    strip.show();
    }
    
  strip.show();
  delay(100);                        // Pause 20 milliseconds (~50 FPS)

}


void rainbowCycle(uint8_t wait) {
  uint16_t i, j;

  for(j=0; j<256*5; j++) { // 5 cycles of all colors on wheel
    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(((i * 256 / strip.numPixels()) + j) & 255));
    }
    strip.show();
    delay(wait);
  }
}

uint32_t Wheel(byte WheelPos) {
  WheelPos = 255 - WheelPos;
  if(WheelPos < 85) {
    return strip.Color(255 - WheelPos * 3, 0, WheelPos * 3);
  }
  if(WheelPos < 170) {
    WheelPos -= 85;
    return strip.Color(0, WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3);
  }
  WheelPos -= 170;
  return strip.Color(WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3, 0);
}

Credits

Sean Hodgins

22 projects • 94 followers

Just a maker who likes making.

DIY RGB Cherry MX Macro Board

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Step 1: Watch the Video!

Step 2: Get the Parts!

Step 3: 3D Print the Frame

Step 4: Add Solder Paste for Surface Mount Components

Step 5: Add Components

Step 6: Bake in the Oven

Step 7: Test the Board!

Step 8: Add the Key Switches and Solder!

Step 9: Program Again!

Step 10: Assemble!

Step 11: Done!

Step 12: Support These Projects!

Custom parts and enclosures

Thingiverse

Schematics

HCC Mod Repository

Code

TEST LED Firmware

Macro KeyPad Firmware

Credits

Sean Hodgins

Comments

Embed the widget on your own site

DIY RGB Cherry MX Macro Board

DIY RGB Cherry MX Macro Board

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Step 1: Watch the Video!

Step 2: Get the Parts!

Step 3: 3D Print the Frame

Step 4: Add Solder Paste for Surface Mount Components

Step 5: Add Components

Step 6: Bake in the Oven

Step 7: Test the Board!

Step 8: Add the Key Switches and Solder!

Step 9: Program Again!

Step 10: Assemble!

Step 11: Done!

Step 12: Support These Projects!

Custom parts and enclosures

Thingiverse

Schematics

HCC Mod Repository

Code

TEST LED Firmware

Macro KeyPad Firmware

Credits

Sean Hodgins

Comments

Related channels and tags