Pipar point

Pipar PCBs

ZMK firmware for the Pipar PCBs.

Pipar is a collection of different keyboards and keypads that I have designed. Each PCB in the series has unique features tailored to different needs and preferences.

More information about Pipar Keyboards here https://pipar.koit.dev

Firmware

The Pipar keyboards run ZMK firmware. Board definitions, custom drivers (LED indicators, caps-word events, a recovery watchdog), keymaps, and shields live in the zmk-keyboard-pipar ZMK module — included here as the zmk-keyboard-pipar submodule.

Build firmware locally with the build.sh helper (requires Docker):

git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/RasmusKoit/pipar.git
cd pipar
./build.sh right   # Pipar Point central half (with trackpoint)
./build.sh left    # Pipar Point peripheral half
./build.sh all     # every target

Firmware is written to .build/<target>/zephyr/zmk.uf2. Builds can also be run through the Build Pipar products GitHub Actions workflow.

Designed PCBs

PCB Files for each keyboard/project has been seperated into their own folders. The PCBs are designed in KiCad v9.x

Currently, the following PCBs are available:

• Pipar & Sool - 36-key split wireless keyboard with a 3x5+3 layout and a dongle.
• Pipar Point - 40-key split wireless keyboard with a 3x5+3+2 layout, trackpoint and LEDs.
• Pipar Flake - 8+1 key wireless keypad with a rotary encoder and a screen.
• Pipar Chip - 12-key wireless keypad with Kailh PG1316S switches and LEDs.

Pipar ja Sool (Pepper and Salt)

[!TIP] Get your own Pipar & Sool from my Etsy Store.

The Pipar ja Sool is a 36-key split wireless keyboard with a 3x5+3 layout with a dongle. It features:

• Microcontrollers: XIAO BLE for both halves and a dongle.
• Switches: Ambients Silent Kailh Low Profile Nocturnal Choc Switches.
• Sockets: Kailh Hotswap sockets for easy switch replacement.
• Keymap: Maintained in the zmk-keyboard-pipar module.
• LEDs: White LEDs for backlight.

Pipar ja Sool Pictures

Pictures from version V1

Pipar ja Sool Design Details

[!NOTE] The V3 design is compatible with the V2 case.

• Layout: Splayed split keyboard with a 3x5+3 layout.
  • Thumb Cluster: Three keys on each half.
  • Outer Columns: Split to reduce the distance to the keys.
• Wireless: Uses the XIAO BLE microcontroller for both halves and a dongle.
• Battery: Larger area for the battery to ensure longer usage time.
• LEDs: I sometimes miss the visual feedback of the LEDs, so I added them to the design.

Changenotes:

V3 version has went with the route of using smaller components with the 0403/SOD-323 package for resistors and diodes. The design is also compatible with the V2 case, so the case can be used with the V3 PCB. V3 also has the added benefit of using solder nuts for mounting the PCB to the case, instead of just holes for M2 screws. This adds more possibilities for mounting the PCB to the case.

Pipar ja Sool V2 Order List

Consider supporting me by purchasing Pipar & Sool V3 Kit from my Etsy Store.

The components list is for V2 version of the Pipar & Sool which uses larger components in 0805/SOD-123 package. V3 version uses smaller components in 0403/SOD-323 package.

If you are interested in building the V2 version, here is a list of components you will need:

• PCB: 2x Pipar V2 PCBs Gerber files here.
• Microcontroller: 3x XIAO BLE microcontrollers (Aliexpress)
• On/Off Switch: 2x On/Off Switch (Aliexpress)
• Thread inserts: 36x M2 Thread Inserts (Aliexpress)
• Screws: 10x M2x4mm Screws (Aliexpress)
• Switches: 36x Ambients Silent Kailh Low Profile Nocturnal Choc Switches (SplitKB)
• Sockets: 36x Kailh Hotswap sockets (SplitKB)
• Diodes: 36x 1N4148/SOD-123 Diodes (SplitKB)
• Battery: 2x 320mAh 3x30x40mm (Oomipood). Case is designed for 3mm height batteries with some extra space.
• Case: 1x Pipar Case V2
• Keycaps: 1x Kailh Choc Keycaps Colemak-DH (FKCaps)

Pipar Point

[!NOTE] I am happy to announce that for the Pipar Point project, I have partnered with PCBWay to provide the PCBs for the project. PCBWay is a professional PCB manufacturer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. They offer a wide range of services, including PCB manufacturing, PCB assembly, and PCB design. I am excited to be working with PCBWay on this project, and I am confident that they will deliver high-quality PCBs that meet my specifications.

Current PCB revision: v3.1 In regular use — firmware actively maintained.

Pipar Point Pictures

Pipar Point Design Details

• Layout: Splayed split keyboard with a 3x5+3+2 layout.
  • Thumb Cluster: Three keys on each half.
  • Pinkie Cluster: Split to reduce the distance to the keys. Extra Keys for macros or foreign letters
• Wireless: Uses ISP1807 SIP IC based on NRF52840 IC for both halves.
• Battery: Larger area for the battery to ensure longer usage time.
• Trackpoint: Sprintek Trackpoint for mouse control on the right side.
• LEDs: I sometimes miss the visual feedback of the LEDs, so I added them to the design.
• Top Plate: Designed to be used with a top plate for a more rigid build.
• Mounting: Case includes magsafe mounting for easy attachment and detachment. Rubber feet to keep the keyboard in place.

Idea was to iterate on the Pipar ja Sool design and add a trackpoint for mouse control. The design is still in the early stages and will be updated as the project progresses. Because of the trackpoint, LEDs and the battery size has been increased to 2500mAh to compensate for the power draw of the trackpoint and LEDs. With this design, I am aiming to challege myself to design a more complex PCB by using more components which will also be smaller in size. The design will also include a top plate to make the build more rigid and also to hide the trackpoint mounting cleaner.

I want to thank zhiayang/Mikoto and Hello9999901/laptop for making this project possible. Thank you Eden for helping me understand more about Zephyr and getting me started.

Pipar Chip

Pipar Chip is a 12-key wireless keypad with Kailh PG1316S switches and LEDs.

Pipar Chip features:

• Onboard Components: Features ISP1807 SIP IC based on NRF52840 IC
• Switches: Kailh PG1316S switches.
• LEDs: White LEDs for backlighting. 2 LEDs for charging and error indication. 3 extra LEDs that can be used for any purpose.
• Components: Uses smaller components in 0603/SOD-523 package for resistors, capacitors, etc.
• Battery: 500mAh battery to ensure longer usage time even with the LEDs.

Pipar Chip Pictures

Pipar Flake

The Pipar Flake is an 8+1 key wireless keypad with a rotary encoder (optional) and a screen. It includes:

• Microcontroller: pro_micro-pinout nRF52840 board (e.g. SuperMini nRF52840 or nice!nano).
• Display: Tiny OLED display.
• Switches: Ambients Silent Kailh Low Profile Nocturnal Choc Switches.
• Sockets: Kailh Hotswap sockets for easy switch replacement.
• LEDs: White LEDs for backlighting.

Pipar Flake Pictures

Pipar Flake Design Details

• Usage: Intended as a tiny keypad or numpad.
  • Current Use Case: Control media player (e.g., Kodi).
• Size: Designed to be as small as possible while still being usable.
• Rotary Encoder:
  • Function: Can control volume.
  • Push Button: Can be used to change layers.

License

• Hardware (pcb/, build_guides/): CERN-OHL-S-2.0. You can make, change and sell these boards. If you ship a modified version, publish its full design under the same licence.
• Firmware, config and scripts (config/, tests/, build.sh): MIT, the same licence as ZMK. The ZMK module in zmk-keyboard-pipar is MIT too.

Third-party parts keep their own licences: the footprint libraries included as submodules, vendor footprints and 3D models in pcb/Footprints-Symbols, and any file with its own SPDX-License-Identifier header.