Dynamically Assignable Macro Keyboard with e-ink Display 

Thanks, and yes, I learned about the PCB-mountable variant of the switches after I ordered the "wrong" kind. I think this is why the keys are not properly aligned. The PCB has holes for the PCB-mountable version, so if someone wants to reproduce the device, the keys should be properly aligned if they just order the correct version. Unfortunately, it seems like I placed the keys too close together for regular keycaps. They are 17.78mm apart, which is a half-step on a 0.1inch grid. On the other hand, if I had the correct distance, they would not properly align with the display. And, indeed the Elgato Streamdeck was one of the devices I looked at when I wanted to have an option for controlling OBS. But I found it too expensive, ugly and wasn't sure about Linux compatibility. In the end, I am not sure if my device ended up much cheaper and it is also not a real beauty, but it is MY device and I have full control :) (...and a nice project to present on my channel.)

Indeed - implementing the streamdeck protocol would be nice, to make it more versatile. There are also other protocols, like Mackie HUI (MIDI based), that make sense, though AFAIK the streamdeck software is the only one that allows programming the icon graphics, but the encoder is not supported.

Where did you get the 19.05 mm spacing number? I'm currently designing a keypad and I found that number by measuring it from a mech keyb. I need to know the spacing of stabilizers for the keys I'm using but the Cherry site only gives the spacing for a 2u keycap but never mentions what to do in X-u cases, so one can calculate spacings for different keycap sizes. Can you share your source? It would be really helpful.

@@AristarcoPalacios 2.25, 2.5 etc keys use 2U wide stabs, even the European Enter. You can build a layout with keyboard-layout-editor, copy the json, and paste it in builder.swillkb, it will generate a plate cutout file with correct spacings and layouts. I remember rotating the switch for the european enter really surprised me: the cross section of the switch pin is not the same as if rotated by 90 deg. Generally 1U=19.05mm=750mil, and 2.25U=2.25*19.05mm and so on.

@@arminemmert8250 seeing this is using python backend on the client, a pyside/pyqt config gui would be easy to make : )

Did you do this with blender as another comment suggested? That looked really awesome!

Nevermind, found your explanation video :)

and leds

@@Scaramouche122 Already exists.

@@bobweiram6321 really link?

@@Scaramouche122 Optimus Maximus Keyboard

About a 15 years old tech.

You are absolutely right: The USB port is not particularly sturdy. Strangely, I did not even think about using a jumper cable to a dedicated port, but instead went out of my way to design the case such that the Pro Micro points out the back. The design would have been easier without that requirement. Well, there is always a next project :) About the PCBs: Jepp, I think that the macro keyboard can use a sturdy base, but I should look into some options next time I need a PCB to at least make that choice more consciously.

@@ThereOughtaBe you could probably just have 3d printed supports for directly under the switches

@@ThereOughtaBe you could swap the micro with an Elite-C or a Sea Micro

Streamdeck comes close!

@@s4vila there's no dials on it though

would you mind showing off how you build the device in a Video? I'm really interessted in a wireless version but unfortunatly im bad with etech. Left you a sub just incase you upload a video xd.

Blender, see ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1Pjr0xkuyhU.html (Not entirely up to date anymore. Few things can be done a bit easier now.)

P.S. I usually look around a channel more before doing this, and I suppose it’s possible I’ll change my mind later, but between this video and _the name_ of this channel, I’m pretty sure I want to be subscribed, so... subscribed!

@@DavidLindes Thanks a lot, and also thanks for the clarification on "shorten". I really appreciate this and am a bit surprised I never caught this little difference before.

@@ThereOughtaBe gladly! I'm glad it's appreciated. :)

Mine was a V1 and unfortunately, there are a few differences. Have a look at the GitHub repository for a few notes from a Reddit user on using a V2 instead.

To be honest, I did not even know the difference when I created this project and actually bought the wrong switches. The version I built for the video (and which I am still using everyday) has plate-mountable switches soldered to a PCB. But the focus for this macro keyboard is not typing experience, because it is a macro keyboard. I would not even use the word "typing" here - it's more "pushing a button" to trigger something. No need for speed, no need for accuracy without looking (the e-ink display is there for a reason) and no typing comfort - you move your hand away from your main keyboard to trigger something anyway. But if I am assuming correctly that you are a fan of proper mechanical keyboards, there is a detail that will bother you much more than the PCB mounting: The distance between the switches is a bit too small, so you cannot use regular key caps. Ouch. The spacing and the simple mounting of these switches has exactly one goal: To have buttons next to icons that are shown on the e-ink display. The length of the display meant that I either have to use a too small distance or that I have three keys on each side with a gap in-between. With these limitations I don't think that a plate will contribute much to the experience - The typing experience is already superior to it's immediate competition: The Elgato Stream Deck :) BTW: When I finally find some time, my next project will be a proper keyboard (also PCB-mounted, though) with a little extra. Well, if that "extra" works at least somewhat as intended. But will move away from my Dell rubber dome eventually.