deskthority

https://github.com/dijkstrw/5x5

This is my first custom keyboard, a 5x5 cherry mx matrix based on the STM32F1 with libopencm3. During development I was mostly lurking here (Alternative controller experiments FTW), so it seems fitting to show it to you guys.

The project contains firmware, schematics and a board layout in kicad. The firmware supports

• usb keyboard scancodes
• bios boot and nkro
• system / consumer codes
• generation of mouse events
• usb serial interface

It is intended as a personal development platform and stepping stone for a dual 6x6 or maybe 7x7. Currently the board can only be programmed by using a 6-pin TagConnect wired to a STM Discovery SWD/STLink programming port. The firmware is barebones but works great as a daily additional keyboard for me. (bank of fixed keys for virtual screen selection and media control)
Any love for gojira?

Awesome!

Nice project I didn't know that it's possible to make transparent PCBs until now. What material is it?

that's not transparent, he's just got no mask on it, the picture is in the tinning of the board. mirrorish.

Ordinary FR4 pcb does let a lot of light through when there's no copper on either side though.

Daniel wrote: Nice project I didn't know that it's possible to make transparent PCBs until now. What material is it?

Ha -- After looking again at the picture I can see how you would think that. nickw has the right of it though, this is FR4 with red soldermask and HASL finish.

nickw wrote: Ordinary FR4 pcb does let a lot of light through when there's no copper on either side though.

The area near the usb connector on top has no top/bottom fills, and the 2nd Gojira glyph removes the soldermask as well there, so that gives an idea of what the base FR4 looks like from pcbway.

Daniel wrote: I didn't know that it's possible to make transparent PCBs until now. What material is it?

So thanks for that -- you got me wondering too if transparent was possible. It seems that there a couple of boardhouses that do transparent soldermask. All the cheap and cheerfull boardhouses do not seem to support it though.

Nice Board!
Can you post some more pictures?

aaron wrote: Can you post some more pictures?

Sure. Backside of the board: Quick shots of the stuff on my bench now. I've started using one as an extra keyboard, so I need a new set of two for my board-to-board experiments. That is the purpose of the two footprints on the back to the sides.These have been wired up for I2C, and although I foobarred the firewire footprint, it will fit with some budgery.