KiPad

KiPad

Custom keypad made using KiCad.

Custom PCB + 3D printed keycaps and case.

PCB

The PCB was designed in KiCad and manufactured by JLCPCB.

Most of the components have a custom field DIGIKEY, which corresponds to the Digikey part number. Components can be ordered from Digikey easily by doing a BOM export and using Digikey's upload list feature.

The hotswap connectors, key switches, and stablizers do not have Digikey part numbers. Choose ones you like.

Keycaps

The keycaps were generated using this library.

Case

The PCB was exported from KiCad and a case was modeled around it using OnShape. The models can be found under case/ or on OnShape.

The bottom of the case is designed to fit 1.2mm thick boards, so keep that in mind when putting in the PCB order.

Firmware

To build the firmware, follow the QMK setup, and then copy/link the qmk directory into the keyboards directory:

# Clone project
git clone https://github.com/awkwardbunny/KiPad
cd KiPad
# By default, QMK installs to ~/qmk_firmware on linux
ln -s $(pwd)/qmk ~/qmk_firmware/keyboards/meirl
# Flash. Use the directory name above
qmk flash -kb meirl/kipad_v3_1 -km via

Reset and DFU

The Atmega32u2 goes into DFU bootloader without any code on it. If you wish to reflash, connect the keypad while holding down the top-left key (A).

If a bad firmware was uploaded and you cannot get it into DFU mode with that method, you need to trigger a reset while the HWB pin is pulled low. There is a pad exposed on the back for reset, and the HWB pin is connected to column 3. I solder one wire to each of these and do the following:

1. Connect the device
2. Take the wire connected to column 3 and make contact with ground (the USb shield works)
3. Touch the wire connected to the reset pin briefly to ground
4. Release the column 3 wire

And the device should show up in DFU mode

Via

To use with Via, you need to enable Settings -> Show design tab -> Enable. A new tab should appear. Open the new design tab and upload the keyboard definition qmk/kipad_v3_1/via.json. Now you should be able to reconfigure it as you like.

Udev

For linux, Via may not be able to access the keypad HID devices due to permissions. Try adding the following to /etc/udev/rules.d/90-kipad.rules:

# MEIRL KiPad v2.0
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b50", MODE="0666"
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{busnum}=="1", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b50", MODE="0666"

# MEIRL KiPad v3.0
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b51", MODE="0666"
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{busnum}=="1", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b51", MODE="0666"

# MEIRL KiPad v3.1
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b52", MODE="0666"
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{busnum}=="1", ATTRS{idVendor}=="4248", ATTRS{idProduct}=="4b52", MODE="0666"

And then sudo udevadm control --reload.