Hotkey Keyboard

thingiverse

## **Introduction** This custom keyboard is inspired by Maker's Muses macro keyboard design featured in my YouTube video. Initially, I wanted to assist with his Arduino code but ended up creating a completely new keyboard from scratch using mechanical Cherry MX switches. The design heavily relies on the original design. --- ## **Specifications** * Dimensions: 103.6x103.6x39.7mm * Switch type: Cherry MX * Microcontroller: Arduino Pro Micro * Cable: Detachable via USB type B * Lighting: Single Color LED --- ## **I Want to Print These Files, But I Don't Have a Printer** Companies offer printing services for files. I've never used them but it might be an option to consider. --- ## **Bill of Materials** 1x Arduino Pro Micro 9x Cherry MX Switch 1x Micro USB Cable 1x Female USB Type B connector for PCB 1x min. 95x64mm PCB prototyping board (can be cut to size with saw/utility knife) wires (I like multi-strand wires because they are more flexible) 4x M3x6mm screws (I used hexagon socket screws of the standard DIN 912) 4x M3x0.5mm washers 8x 3(dia.)x1mm magnets Optional: 4x single color LED with appropriate resistors Male/Female Pin headers Male/Female Dupont crimp connectors --- ## **PCB Layout** Before you start, be aware that there are little jumper pads on one corner of the Arduino micro. When connected, the Arduino will run at 5V and if not, the Arduino will run at 3.3V with a decreased clock speed. Both voltage modes will be fine for this project, but if implementing LEDs like I did, then the resistance needed for the LEDs depends on the voltage level of the Arduino. This is how I soldered everything together. I know it's not the best solder job in the world. You don't have to point that out to me. --- ## **Arduino Code** I explain how the code works in my video, starting at 7:00 minutes. Some more details can be found as comments within the code itself. The Arduino code always has to be in a folder of the same name as the code itself. If you try to run the code for the first time and you haven't manually put it in such folder, this message will pop up. Unfortunately, the Arduino keyboard library only works properly on systems with English keyboard layouts. If your computer expects a keyboard with a different layout, some keys will be switched. German keyboards will for example have y and z switched, as well as some special. This can be pretty annoying and the only real solution is to rewrite the library. However, there are two workarounds for this: 1: Use the key that is switched instead. 2: Change your system's keyboard language to English. --- ## **AutoHotkey Scripts** I don't really want to focus on AutoHotkey scripts in this post, but I can skim over the basics: AutoHotkey is a program that is able to perform a certain action whenever a certain keyboard button or key combination is pressed. The nice thing about AutoHotkey is, that it can do basically everything.