Description

I'm getting older... this summer I experienced an annoying and persistent tingling in one hand and arm. That was the initial motivation to get more interested in ergonomic work gadgets, and from that to split keyboards. And that was the entrance in a rabbit hole.

Which keyboard I like to create:

• Split keyboard for ergonomic (I'm not primary interested in having it portable)
• I have big hands: I like it to fit as much as possible my hands measures
• Columnar stagger keys position
• Not too few keys (at the moment I'm at 24 + 24)
• One row thumb cluster
• No wireless, not to have batteries and for security reason
• CherryMX, or generally speaking no low profile/corne choc
• Hot swap Socket switches

Goals

• Create PCB design for a split keyboard
• Get it produced
• Mount it
• Evaluate FWs

Resources

• Main project repo: Zenga
• ZKM config for a hand wired 4 keys something: nne
• Blog posts opensuse.hackweek.2024

Progress

Day1

Get the existing Ergogen project working on my TW machine Get Kicad as flatpack Go back to the https://flatfootfox.com/ergogen-part3-pcbs/ Join the #ergogen Discord channel and ask for help about the nets

Day2

Redesign the keyboard matrix on Inkscape Implement it in the Ergogen YAML format Create a Kicad PCB file Start routing it Iterate over the matrix arrangement to try to implement it like 2 layer board and ideally with not vias Get some Kicad tutorials

Day3

Get my hand dirty building a 2x2 key matrix --> welcome to nne Look at ZKM and how to configure it --> https://github.com/michelepagot/zmk-config-nne Get the FW built by github, try to flash it: get matrix scan pulse but no keys to the PC Get in contact with ceoloide, an Ergogen maintainer, about net issue.

Day4

Fix net issue Try again routing with right nets and different rp2040 footprint Search for all mounting options of the rp2040 MCU I have

Day5

Try to complete a first routing round in KiCAD Few documentation Close tons of browser tabs Keep interacting with the amazing Discord Absolem Club community

For the next iteration

• Ergogen yml file --> get all footprint: miss the board to board connector and a reversible rp2040 footprint. Add some via in the yaml
• Explore some solution to automate some steps: KiCAD file generation from command line, manage external footprints, generate or lint stuff with github actions and ergogen in a container or at least from the command line, autorouting
• KiCAD --> rules files, export gerber, upload to production.
• FW --> rp2040 split keyboard support
• Dev kiy HW --> create or improve a dev platform: has to have a small key matrix (2x2 or 3x3 or maybe 2x3 or 3x4), board to board connector, lcd, led, sensors (I'd like to play with 9DOF), rotary encoder.